YearToAvoid

2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

90/100

#3 most-complained of 21 Escalade ESV years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a complaint index of 87, ranking 3rd worst among 16 model years, with a verdict of Avoid. NHTSA lists 56 complaints and 4 recalls, with engine problems making up 82% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 42,765.

Complaints
56
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine46 (82%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain12 (21%)
  3. Fuel System8 (14%)
  4. Electrical System7 (13%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (5%)
  6. Other3 (5%)
  7. Lane Departure1 (2%)
  8. Steering1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine stalls or seizes suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes with no warning light and no ability to shift into neutral.
  • Owners describe a distinct knocking sound from the engine that changes with RPM, suggesting internal component wear.
  • The forward collision system randomly triggers false alerts and has applied sudden braking with no vehicle ahead.
  • Electrical system failures include dashboard and computer replacements and the vehicle unexpectedly shifting to neutral and shutting off while driving.
  • The steering gear needed replacement shortly after purchase, on a vehicle with very low mileage.
  • GPS, OnStar, and telematics systems have stopped working entirely, disabling navigation and emergency support features.
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV complaints: complaints filed per month9Sep 2022Aug 2023Jan 2025Apr 2025Aug 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Aug 2026
81 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2022 to Sep 2026; peak May 2025 (9).

2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V085000Feb 13, 2026Transmission & Powertrain43,743 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.

    Risk: Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252536750. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

    Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

  3. NHTSA 22V903000Dec 8, 2022Electrical System740,108 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.

See all 4 recalls for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV →

2022 compared with other Escalade ESV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Avoid80222—
2021Avoid957110—
2022Avoid90564—
2023Avoid100884—
2024Caution70222—

All Cadillac Escalade ESV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 Escalade ESV ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 87 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Engine problems dominate, accounting for 82% of complaints (46 of 56), with a median failure mileage of 42,765 and reports of sudden stalling or seizing.
Does the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV have engine recalls?
Yes. NHTSA recall 25V274000 covers 2021-2024 Escalade and Escalade ESV models with the 6.2L V8 engine, requiring inspection and possible repair or replacement.
How many recalls does the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2022 Escalade ESV, covering the transmission control module, engine, electrical body control module, and third-row seat belt buckles.
Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2022 Escalade ESV?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 2 injuries linked to complaints for the 2022 Escalade ESV, with 0 deaths and 0 fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.