2022 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 Escalade years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2022 Cadillac Escalade has 82 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 93, ranking it 2nd worst out of 16 model years. Engine problems dominate, accounting for 89% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 37,600 miles. Four recalls are on file.
- Complaints
- 82
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 19 hwy
Top 2022 Cadillac Escalade problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine73 (89%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (16%)
- Electrical System7 (9%)
- Fuel System7 (9%)
- Other5 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Steering2 (2%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
- Brakes1 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls or shuts off completely while driving on the highway, sometimes at speeds around 70-85 mph.
- Engine locks up suddenly while driving, in one case happening twice on the same vehicle.
- Engine loses power and makes a clanking noise before smoke fills the cabin, with one case leading to a fire and a hole in the vehicle.
- Transmission shudders and RPMs surge up and down on startup before shifting into drive.
- Vehicle shuts off on the interstate and cannot be restarted or shifted into park, requiring the brake pedal held to stop rolling.
- Forward collision and automatic braking systems fail to activate during a crash, and OnStar does not detect or report the crash.
2022 Cadillac Escalade recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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 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.
2022 Cadillac Escalade fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2022 compared with other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 Escalade ranks 2nd worst of 16 model years with a complaint index of 93. Engine problems make up 89% of its complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Escalade years.
- What is the main problem with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade?
- The top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 73 of 82 total complaints (89%). Owners reported stalling, power loss, and in one case a fire, with a median failure mileage of 37,600 miles.
- Does the 2022 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2022 Escalade, covering the transmission control module software, the 6.2L V8 engine, body control module software, and a third-row seat belt buckle rivet issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2022 Escalade compare to other years?
- The 2022 model's complaint index of 93 is worse than most other Escalade years, second only to 2023's index of 100. Years like 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2020 score much lower and are rated Best.