There are 11 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2023 Cadillac Escaladein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Dealership stated they fixed recall ref# N252494000 on 9/24/25. But on 4/9/26 noticed engine noise (knocking), then a lose of power and then vehicle stalled on the highway.
Vehicle: 2023 Cadillac Escalade (VIN: [XXX] ) Dealer: Cadillac Pasadena Case Number (GM Corporate): XXX Refusal to perform a mandatory Federal Safety Recall remedy. Details: 1. My vehicle is currently under Safety Recall XXX(L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion). I experienced a loss of propulsion and brought the vehicle to Cadillac Pasadena. 2 The dealership technician confirmed the engine is exhibiting "abnormal noise (lifter clatter on both banks) and active misfires." 3 The dealership claims they cannot complete the mandatory PicoScope diagnostic test for the recall because the engine condition (misfires/noise) interferes with the equipment. 4 Under GM Special Coverage XXX, if the engine cannot be safely tested due to internal mechanical failure within the recall population, GM is mandated to cover the diagnostic teardown and full engine assembly replacement at no cost to the consumer. 5 The dealership is refusing to authorize the teardown under the GM Special Coverage code and is instead pressuring me to pay myself. 6 The dealership has stopped responding to my written inquiries (sent March 18th and 19th) and refuses to provide a loaner vehicle, despite the vehicle being officially "unsafe to drive" due to the open safety recall. I am asking you to requre Immediate authorization of engine teardown and full engine assembly replacement under GM Special Coverage XXXat $0 cost to me, and provision of a loaner vehicle as required for safety recall grounding. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Received a recall letter that stated the engine in my 2023 escalade with roughly 49,000 miles on it at the time. Has problems with the engine breaking down and shutting the entire vehicle off. Took the car to the dealer to fix per the recall letter. They stated they only needed to replace an oil cap and put better oil in the car, and not replace the engine as stated in the recall letter. About two weeks later the transmission started to slip and the car would not go over 50 MPH, in addition it would switch automatically into 4wd and get stuck in 4wd. Took the car back to the dealership they did not replace transmission they stated it may have something to do with the recall or an electrical issue. About 8,000 miles later I was driving on the highway taking kids to school and the entire vehicle just shut down completely, I could not brake, steer, control the car in anyway possible. I was riding what felt like a death trap. I was so scared for my family and myself, the car came to a stop on its own pretty drastically. I thought I was going to get slammed into or hit the car in front of me. Luckily I was not hit. The car prompted to push the start button, I tried to start the car, nothing. There was still music playing but the screens were all black, also the engine did not turn over at all. I could not put on my hazards either. I called a tow truck while sitting there and got the car towed to the dealership. The dealership took 3 days to get back to me and stated it was the engine and they are going to have to replace it with a new engine. In addition they would not provide me with a time frame at all, or a temporary vehicle to take my kids to school in. I feel this should be illegal with what has happened to me, I got regular oil changes and maintenance done. If they are still using this engine someone will end up dying from this poorly engineered engine and car. Cadillac once had a great reputation, I regret putting my kids and my life into this automobile.
While driving, I got a message stating on the screen stating that transmission needed to be serviced. This was very scary as I slowed down and then was not able to put the vehicle in park and the parking brake was not able to be disengaged to be able to move the vehicle. After moving the transmission shifter back to different positions, I was then able to put the vehicle into Drive and then park it where it wouldn't move after that. Dealership now says that there is an issue with the transmission valve body that needs to be replaced.
23 Escalade L87 engine and transmission issue along with rear cross traffic alert emergency breaking. @ 8600k lifter failure (repair) @ 8750k transmission toque converter replacement @10600k spark plug replacement rough idle @17k in for hard down shift transmission valve replacement @21k in for lifter and same transmission down shift issue Service advisor advised that the lifters need to be replaced again and the hard down shift failed to be fully addressed. The upper level from GM advised no remedy could be found until service bulletin could be resolved. No repair work to be performed. To release to customer as is until engine replacement can be performed. So GM is forcing us to take back our vehicle on the road with a failing engine that needs replacement but due to not having enough stock to repair in timely fashion are placing us back on the road until one can become available. This now opens us up for massive catastrophic failure with my family on the road and not to mention others on the highway and public road system. I’m astonished that GM would do this to their customers and jeopardize the safety of their customers and other citizens on the roads. Something has and needs to be done. They are now placing my family and other lives in danger to save money. Vehicle serviced at field’s Cadillac St. Augustine Fl and recently at Randy Mario Cadillac Jacksonville Fl. Case number with GM[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My wife was driving this vehicle home after dropping off kids at school when the engine suddenly stalled in the middle of the road. Luckily no one was directly behind her or she would have been in a collision. After being towed to the dealership, they informed us the engine "failed". There was no check engine light or warning message prior to the engine suffering sudden and catastrophic failure. Vehicle has less than 28k miles. The car is currently at the dealer with no time frame for repair because the engine is on "back-order".
I called dealer and told them that the suv was making a ticking sound and played them a recording of it. They told me that i could drive it in or call an 800 number and maybe get it towed. I decided to drive it in as towing it would prob take it to a dealer i did not know. There were no lights on indicating an issue. I was stopped waiting to turn left across traffic when the engine started making all kinds of clanging noise. At this point it quit and after a few attempts i got it restarted and towed it in to dealer the engine failure with out warning left me and my family in jeopardy in the roadway. Now i learn that lots of these 6.2 v8s are blowing up as my dealer alone has several of them out back waiting with no eta on repair parts coming. So not only were we put in pearl but i have 125k in a brick setting at the dealer. And givin a smaller auto that i can not pull trailers with. I feel endangered and ripped off pleasse help.
I was driving home from getting groceries when all of a sudden the vehicle starts to make a loud noise from the engine (no warning lamps/lights or any messages popped up.) I proceeded to go home and call my husband and ask for his help with the problem. I recorded a video of the car and sent it to him, and he said that it sounded like the engine is knocking and told me to shut the car off and call the dealership to further discuss the situation with them. After calling the dealership they towed my car to get it diagnosed. It has been a month or so now since leaving my car with them and they still cannot diagnose the issue.
Driving and power started to die and engine warning lights came on. Pulled over immediately and engine stopped. Wouldn’t come back on. Towed by Cadillac and discovered engine blew. Apparently a know issue with many similar in the shop awaiting new engine.
INCIDENT: I was driving on the highway when I heard a strange "whistling noise." Thinking the noise originated from an old van in front of me, I passed it. The noise grew louder; the vehicle slowed very suddenly and, I pulled to the side of the road. The "low oil pressure" light came on just as the engine entirely blew. There were NO OTHER WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES or OTHER SYMPTOMS. On-Star did not send roadside assistance for six hours and the battery died from extended use of the emergency lights. DANGERS: Experiencing catastrophic engine failure while driving on a highway presents obvious dangers as does sitting roadside for six hours (with a dead battery and no emergency flashers). INSPECTION: The G.M. Dealer (manufacturer representative) inspected the engine and confirmed that it was a catastrophic engine failure, requiring a new engine. The issue was also reported directly to G.M. The engine core, if need of further inspection, is likely either at the dealer, G.M., or a GM remanufacturing facility.
Friday 03/03/2023 Off hwy 34 was on i25 for about 5 minutes going 75 I accelerated to 80, to get in my right lane and out of the fast lane got over and a pop up came on my dash board, said press start. I then realized my car lost power on the interstate with cars going 75-80+ mph and I had no way of starting or pulling off the side of the road, as there was construction and temporary road w/ barricades on both sides. My car was stopped in highway traffic, I was pumping my brakes to notify the semi behind me that something was wrong so he wouldn’t hit me. How is a 2023 vehicle going to stop on the highway with evening traffic, no where to pull over and hope I don’t get in an accident, it was dangerous and there was no notifications on the dashboard telling me what was wrong. My fuel was full, battery was fine and oil life was good. There could have been several fatalities as it was on the interstate and I was in the right lane with moving traffic in both. Approximately 6:50pm. I do have photos and video of the incident. I hit the onstar button, was holding for several minutes, it disconnected, so I hit the SOS emergency button and the operator took my info including my location on I-25 near mile marker 255 prior to the exit near the park n ride. She advised she was sending cdot to get traffic controlled, traffic in the left lane was still moving fast, people were honking and going around the semi. My sister was in her Cadillac in front of me stopped with her hazards so traffic behind could see the hazards. Cdot arrived about 15 minutes later, and then followed by a State Patrol officer. He advised ME TO GET IN MY SISTERS VEHICLE, and go to the park n ride at exit 255 and the tow truck and office would meet me there.
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 26, 2026