There are 20 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2016 Cadillac Escaladein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle sounded like it was going to stall, and the accelerator pedal was depressed to keep the vehicle from stalling. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with lifter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,027.
While driving in rush hour traffic, engine completely stopped. We were stranded in traffic for 2 hours until the police came to help push us out of the street. It was 20 degrees and we sat for 4 hours to get towed. After much ado, the dealership stated the following; "Checked and found engine wouldn't crank over, towed vehicle into the shop. Removed inspection cover to access torque convertor bolts, removed bolts engine still will not turn over. Checked oil in engine full of metal. Engine crank seized will need engine replacement." Upon further investigation, the recall for this vehicle only covers 2021-2025 however this is the same problem that is happening under the recalled years.
I purchased a car from a used car dealer in Sacramento. Two days later, the lifters went bad. This truck only has 115,000 miles on it. This is a know issue that GM has and they're doing nothing to remedy the issue. They keep putting DOD/AFM in these expensive cars knowing the lifters will fail and cause damage to the cam. They should be responsible for doing a DOD/AFM delete on all trucks that have this issue.
The engine started making a tapping noise on the right side. Then the tapping noise got louder and then stopped but the engine light came on and the engine started running very rough. By the noise was described to the shop and they said it is bad lifters and camshafts and this is very common for the GM 6.2L engine. The vehicle has 117,000 miles on it.
Bought vehicle certified in 2023 with 86000 miles now at 123000 Engine needs replacing..Bought it from an accredited Cadillac dealership
While driving the vehicle just turned off I though it was the battery, took the battery off but it was good then the alternator then the starter after repairs there was a loud clacking sound took vehicle to TIEKEN AUTO in san antonio texas come to find out the crank was no good scarring on the head and cylinder two bus dropped new engine would cost too much to fix
There is a known issue with this year and other model years of the lifters going bad inside the engines. I personally had this happen and heard about several other cases. This notice stems from the recent news release of 2021 and on model years being affected. This repair cost me roughly 5,000 dollars and I nearly drove off the road once the engine failed.
Engine problems with 6.2 loss of power rod in engine and crankshaft went out. Took into to shop and and shop varified all issues. Check engine light came on dash board. I noticed they have a recall on the newer vehicles with the same issues as what my vehicle has.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact then observed smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the vents from the engine and turned off the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that an independent mechanic arrived at the residence, inspected the vehicle, and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
1/2/24, at odometer reading 103,885, while driving on a busy street, the car lost engine power and made a loud knocking noise. Was taken to the shop immediately. It was determined to need new lifters and cam shaft. The vehicle has always had routine maintenance this there were no prior indicators of any problem and the symptoms came on suddenly. The repairs were done and the car seemed to run fine once again. 4/24/25, at odometer reading 109,913 the symptoms appeared again suddenly. The vehicle was once again taken to the shop for repair. At this time the shop says they notice excessive oil consumption. Oil change was completed and noise stopped. Car was back in my possession on the evening of 4/29/25. Driven 60 miles and on 5/2/25 the issue returned. Maintenance shop is now saying a full engine replacement is necessary.
My Escalade just started stalling like if it was going to shut off I took it to my mechanic and he told me it has the P0304 code which is cylinder 4 misfire which he hasn’t fix because it’s a internal engine problem
Complete engine failure with approx 80,000 miles on it, no warning. Engine failed while driving in the middle of the street.
JUNE 2,2023, My 2016 WHITE Escalade (shown as black in picture?) 6.2 V8 , began shaking A LOT while driving along about 40 mph on a highway in Orlando. As a slowed down it continued to shake and started to stall while shaking as I approached idle. There was a lot noise that sounded as if coming from under the car. I was able to get the vehicle to the dealer GMC/Buick in Orlando and was told the rods in piston 1 and 2 broke off and a new engine is needed. I was told this is a common problem and there are several on the lot with the same problem. It can occur at any number vehicle miles. I am currently with out an engine because there is too many in demand. Wait time for an engine is unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made knocking sounds and hesitated while accelerating. Additionally, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 15-06-01-002L (Engine Misfire/Tick Noise) however, the vehicle was not covered by the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns A 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer replaced the lower engine mount, the lower control arm, and the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 88,000.
OUR 2016 ESCALADE WITH 20,000 MILES HAD THE TAIL PIPE CORRODE AND FALL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR BUMPER WAS SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST HEAT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY MELTED THE BUMPER AND BACK-UP SENSORS. IF THE ISSUE WASN'T NOTICED, A MAJOR THERMAL EVENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED AND THE TRUCK COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. CADILLAC HAS REFUSED TO WARRANTY THIS ISSUE. WE ALSO HAVE A 2019 ESCALADE THAT IS SHOWING SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF CORROSION AT THE SAME WELD. I BELIEVE THIS IS 100% A DESIGN ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEALER, AUTONATION IN PALM BEACH, FL TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY BECAUSE I ASKED THEM TO INSTALL THE CADILLAC OPTIONAL UPGRADE EXHAUST, NOT WOULD THEY COVER ANY OF THE MELTED COMPONENTS DUE TO THE INFERIOR TAIL PIPE DESIGN. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE 2016 EXHAUST UPON FAILURE AND THE 2019 WITH THE START OF CORROSION THAT I CAN EMAIL DIRECTLY.
FROM OWNER: CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE GOING 50-70 MPH. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO GET TO STOP. NO OVERHEATING TO ENGINE OR ISSUES WHEN CAR IS RESTARTED. FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTOR. HAVE AT CADILLAC DEALER NOW. SAYING IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTOR ON OTHER 2015-17 ESCALADES. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL AS GM HAS MADE SO MANY FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTORS IN THOUSANDS OF ESCALADES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SHAKING BECAME MORE VIOLENT WHILE APPROACHING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER TO REDUCE THE SHAKING. AFTER WAITING A WHILE, THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, BUT THE SHAKING CONTINUED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALEXANDER CADILLAC (1501 VENTURA BLVD #101, OXNARD, CA 93036, (805) 202-4495) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE MECHANIC DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,550.
AFTER COMING TO A STOP, CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO WARNING OR FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON. PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED. DASH LOOKED TOTALLY NORMAL BUT NO RPM'S. CANNOT SAY WHETHER CAR ENGINE STOPPED BEFORE CAR CAME TO A STOP BUT SOMETIME BETWEEN SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN TO WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT STOP SIGN.
IN THE EARLY HOURS OF AUGUST 15TH 2016 MY CADILLAC ESCALADE 2016, VIN [XXX], CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STAYING PARKED (STATIONARY) ALL NIGHT. AS PER THE PICTURES TAKEN BY THE NEIGHBORS, THE ESCALADE TUNED INTO A HUGE FIRE BALL AND BURNED THE TRUCK DOWN TO ASHES. IT ALSO BURNED DOWN TWO OTHER CARS PARKED BEHIND IT AND THE ADJACENT HOUSE ON FIRE. AS PER THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY (MARYLAND) FIRE DEPARTMENT, ARSON WAS RULED OUT AND MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY INTERNAL MECHANICAL ISSUES. (FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT NUMBER [XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026