2022 Cadillac Escalade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2022 Cadillac Escalade carries a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst out of 21 model years, and is rated Avoid. Engine problems dominate, making up 89% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 37,600, alongside 4 recalls covering transmission, engine, electrical, and seat belt issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Escalade years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 82
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2022 Cadillac Escalade problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have stalled or shut off completely at highway speeds, including while towing, forcing drivers to coast to a stop or cross multiple lanes of traffic.
- Some owners describe the engine locking up mid-drive, in one case happening a second time on the same vehicle.
- One case involved smoke and fire from the engine bay after a clanking noise and loss of acceleration on the freeway.
- Transmissions have shown black oil leaks and a burning smell shortly after purchase, and other units cause RPM surging and shuddering at startup.
- One owner reported the vehicle dying on the interstate a second time, requiring the brake to be held to prevent rollback since it wouldn't shift into park.
- Forward collision and braking systems reportedly failed to activate during a crash, with the backup camera also cutting out intermittently on another vehicle.
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 4th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 85, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Escalade years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade?
- Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 89% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 37,600.
- 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.
- How does the 2022 Escalade compare to other years?
- The 2022 model's complaint index of 85 is worse than most other Escalade years; only 2007 (95) and 2023 (100) score higher, while years like 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2020 are rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade?
- The 2022 Escalade gets 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000.