YearToAvoid

2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 70 of 88 total complaints (80%) filed on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV, with a median failure mileage of 44,994. A related recall (25V274000) covers the 6.2L V8 engine on 2021-2024 model years.

Engine complaints
70
80% of 88
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
44,995 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine suddenly shuts down or stalls at highway speed with no warning lights or noise beforehand.
  • Vehicle loses power and drops into neutral while driving, making it hard to steer or brake to the shoulder.
  • Dealers diagnose complete engine failure or a blown engine, sometimes requiring full engine replacement.
  • Some owners report the failure recurring after a software update was performed to try to fix an earlier stall.
  • One complaint describes a defective crankshaft as the root cause of a sudden engine shutdown after a grinding noise.
  • Failures are reported across a range of mileages, including cases as low as 700 miles and around 10,000, 16,500, and 28,000 miles.

When 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 28, 2023, latest Sep 24, 2026.

2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine complaints: complaints filed per month11Aug 2023Jan 2025Apr 2025Jul 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026May 2026Aug 2026
70 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (11).

Engine recalls for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV

  1. 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.

Engine complaints by Escalade ESV model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20051 (7%)
  2. 20062 (40%)
  3. 200711 (28%)
  4. 20083 (18%)
  5. 20092 (33%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 20110 (0%)
  8. 20121 (33%)
  9. 20131 (50%)
  10. 20140 (0%)
  11. 20154 (50%)
  12. 20160 (0%)
  13. 201710 (26%)
  14. 20189 (60%)
  15. 201922 (65%)
  16. 202014 (64%)
  17. 202158 (82%)
  18. 202246 (82%)
  19. 202370 (80%)
  20. 202418 (82%)
  21. 20257 (54%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
NHTSA lists 70 engine-related complaints out of 88 total complaints for the 2023 Escalade ESV, meaning engine issues make up 80% of all complaints filed for this year.
Is there a recall for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine?
Yes. Recall 25V274000 covers the 6.2L V8 engine in 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles, along with several related GM trucks and SUVs. Dealers inspect the engine and repair or replace it as needed.
At what mileage do engine failures typically happen on the 2023 Escalade ESV?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 44,994.5 miles, though sample complaints describe failures at much lower mileage in some cases.
Were there any crashes linked to engine failures on the 2023 Escalade ESV?
NHTSA records 3 crashes associated with engine complaints for this model year, with no reported fires or injuries.

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.