There are 31 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESVin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
While driving approximately 55 miles per hour vehicle started making loud knocking noise then vehicle shifted to neutral. Vehicle was towed to dealership. Waiting for inspection to confirm engine failure. Vehicle has 32,000 miles.
The original engine was replaced in my Escalade in September 2025 under the GM Engine Recall. The original engine was working, but it failed the inspection at the dealership and was replaced. March 1st, 2026 the Escalade died while driving. Police came and helped block traffic and called a tow truck since the engine was dead. The Escalade was towed back to the same dealership and they confirmed the newly replaced engine failed under the same bulletin that mandated the replacement of the original engine.
6.2 engine had the recall fix done to it. It did not work because the engine seized up yesterday
On Saturday 2/14/26 our Escalade was making a light ticking noise. We made an appointment to bring it in for service, earliest appointment was 2/17/26. On the evening of 2/14 the vehicle died on the freeway and had to be towed to the local dealer after it would not start, Crest View Cadillac in Rochester Hills, MI. Our service write Tony Griffin, confirmed verbally on 2/16 that the vehicle most likely will need an engine replacement, but had to be inspected first. I emailed him on 2/19 as I had no update and he let me know it needs more diagnostics but it will be getting an engine replacement. As of 2/21 the vehicle is still sitting in the parking lot with the battery now dead. I was given a loaner vehicle that is not at all suitable or nearly equivalent to my current vehicle. I have been given an electric Cadillac Lyriq and have no means to charge it.
The engine failed on I-17 while driving 75MPH on 2/14/2026. The car shifted into neutral and was able to coast on to the berm of the interstate. The car was towed to Flagstaff Chevrolet and was determined to have engine failure and is waiting for a replacement engine. When the engine failed a warning message came on warning of severe engine overheating and shut down and the car automatically shifted into neutral.
Vehicle was taken in to L87 engine recall in Sept 2025. Passed said inspection on September 29, 2025 and new higher viscosity oil was put in the vehicle. Feb 14, 2026 - driving the vehicle down the highway at 70mph. Car shifts to neutral, engine turns off and losses propulsion. Manage to get to the shoulder of the highway. Vehicle would not restart or turn on. We were traveling with our 3 small children in the car. Stranded on the side of the highway until a family member could come pick us up. Took 18hours through Cadillac roadside assistance to find a tow truck. After 3 calls to the local dealership, 2 days later I was told the engine failed due to the L87 recall and a full engine replacement is required.
For the second time, engine stalled out and car would not start. Going 75 miles per hour on major highway on cruise control and engine just stopped in the middle of the road. Major hazard and crash risk, unable to restart car and had to be towed. Trafffic was dodging vehicle and it was a major safety hazard. Approximately 7 months ago, the car would not start and had to be towed; we reported the incident to dealership, were told there was nothing wrong and there was no diagnosis. We inquired about the engine recall at that time and were told our vehicle was no affected. Our issues are exactly the same ones being stated as part of the recall for the same make/model/year for engine failure or this vehicle. Lives were put in danger today and we are fortunate there was not crash given location and speed of vehicle when engine failed abruptly. Towed to dealership, car remains there without diagnosis and we are no longer comfortable driving vehicle.
6.2 liter L87 engine failed on highway at 101363 miles.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer at 51,000 miles, and stated that the engine would be inspected, and if necessary, repaired or replaced. Additionally, the vehicles that passed the inspection, dealers would add higher viscosity oil, install a 6-oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the Owner's manual. After driving 16,000 additional miles, approximately 6 months later, the engine started knocking, and the vehicle accelerated slowly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who had inspected the engine. The contact stated that when the engine was inspected, it caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired under the recall due to the recall being considered closed, and the title was now considered a Salvage Title, even though the vehicle did not have a Salvage Title when the engine was inspected. The engine was ordered and was scheduled to be replaced at the Owner's expense. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
While driving approximately 50 mph on a busy road, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral and stalled, leaving it unable to restart in the roadway. The car was towed to the dealership, where a new battery was installed and the engine seized.
on 18 June 2025, i was on I95 driving highway speeds and the engine shut down and transmission shifted to N. i was able to coast to a left shoulder (we were in a construction zone so right shoulder was blocked off). Alert on digital dash said to press start engine again...nothing. i tried a second time and the vehicle started. i was able to drive about .5 miles and the engine shut off again and it shifted to neutral. i was able to coast to the right shoulder this time. Engine would not restart. Vehicle was towed to Cadillac dealership on 501 in Myrtle Beach, SC. I was notified about a month ago about a recall. I went into the dealer the next day and they confirmed my vehicle had a recall for potential loss of propulsion. I asked how to get it fixed and they said i would have to wait until they had a way to fix it and i would be notified. I had one warning lamp about the supercruise no longer working and to see owners manual. no other warnings.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
I was driving my vehicle on the highway at approx 55 mph. Without warning my vehicle’s engine failed and the vehicle went into neutral. I had to coast until the emergency shoulder was available as power steering was dwindling. As I pulled into the shoulder the wheel locked. The vehicle’s engine could not be restarted and the vehicle was towed to the Cadillac Dealership. I feared for my life as cars were behind me at 55 mph or higher when my engine went out. I nearly didn’t make it into the shoulder before the vehicle stopped completely.
I was on the highway while cruising with a speed of 65 to 70 mph all of a sudden vehicle started to shake and lost control speed went down to 20mph on the highway check engine light came up foward collision, Stability, traction control and engine died started again stall, had to tow the suv to the dealership
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure recurred, and the contact parked the vehicle due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
my 2023 Cadillac Escalade vehicle broke down while I was driving on the highway this past Wednesday. While driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted from Drive (D) to Neutral (N), and after that, I was unable to shift back to Drive or start the vehicle. The car was then towed to Cadillac of Silver Spring in Maryland for further inspection. I was informed the engine may be locked, but other technicians suggest it could be an ECM or electrical issue. The vehicle is still under warranty and only has 12000miles.
[XXX] driving down [XXX] in Delaware at 68mph, with no prior warning my Cadillac Escalade had a total power loss and shifted into neutral in the center lane of a 4 lane highway nearing causing a collision that could of took my life as well as my 3 children. We were stuck in the center lane of a dangerous highway for 2 hours. The dealership (Delaware Cadillac) has notified me that at 36,000 the entire engine has failed with no prior warning or issues. And is going to require a complete engine replacement. This is extremely dangerous. I also own two other Cadillac Escalade models and scared the same thing is going to occur. No lamps were illuminated, there was no driving issues or concerns prior to this happening. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated while her husband was driving later, the vehicle failed to exceed 50 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine lost power and needs to be replaced. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was driving on the I35 at 75 mph when I had catastrophic engine failure. It caused high potential for myself to be rear-ended or a pile up. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? My local dealer confirmed this is a known issue for 6.2l LS motors. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Unknown Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no other signs immediately prior to the failure. Two weeks before the failure, I took the vehicle back to the dealer because of the oil use and the low oil engine light.
When driving at 60 miles an hour in the interstate the engine stopped and the shift moved to N. The car was on, message on the screen “please start” and I could manage the car to go to the side of the road until complete stop. The car was towed to a Cadillac dealer and the engine had to be replaced. Very scary situation and than God nothing happened. GM offered to extend the engine warranty but would not provide a good explanation or confirm the issue was fixed and wont happen again.
Showing 1–20 of 31 complaints
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