2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a complaint index of 100, the worst among 21 model years of the Escalade, and is rated Avoid. It has 88 complaints, 4 recalls, and no deaths or fires reported, with engine problems making up 80% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Escalade ESV years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 88
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine70 (80%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (23%)
- Fuel System11 (13%)
- Electrical System9 (10%)
- Other6 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Steering2 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or shuts down completely while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with a grinding noise beforehand.
- Some vehicles were diagnosed with a blown engine or a defective crankshaft, requiring full engine replacement.
- Transmission suddenly shifts into neutral or drops hard into a lower gear at highway speed, accompanied by a loss-of-power warning and check engine light.
- Owners report the 10-speed transmission valve body failing, preventing acceleration or shifting into reverse.
- Automatic braking system engaged unexpectedly while reversing with no obstacles present.
- Rear park assist gridlines failed to activate, which the dealer attributed to an unresolved infotainment software bug.
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 24V674000Sep 12, 2024Brakes449,671 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
- NHTSA 23V642000Sep 20, 2023Suspension, Wheels & Tires189 vehicles
Suspension:rear
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
Risk: A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.
2023 compared with other Escalade ESV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
- Compared to other Escalade ESV model years, 2023 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 of 21 years, and is rated Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
- Engine problems dominate, making up 80% of complaints, including reports of stalling and complete engine failure, with a median mileage at failure of 44,994.5 miles.
- Does the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering the engine, brakes, suspension outer control arm bolts, and the body control module, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2023 Escalade ESV compare to other years?
- It has a higher complaint index (100) than every other year listed, including 2021 (95) and 2022 (90), both also rated Avoid.
- Were there any crashes reported for the 2023 Escalade ESV?
- NHTSA lists 3 crashes tied to complaints for the 2023 model year, with no fires, injuries, or deaths reported.