2023 Cadillac Escalade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ranks worst of 21 model years for owner complaints, with a complaint index of 100 and 136 complaints, most tied to the engine (85%). It carries 4 recalls and is rated Avoid relative to other Escalade years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Escalade years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 136
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2023 Cadillac Escalade problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine115 (85%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (14%)
- Electrical System17 (13%)
- Fuel System14 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (7%)
- Other9 (7%)
- Brakes5 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (1%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power or stalls after a strange whistling noise, sometimes followed by the low oil pressure light and total engine failure.
- Engine makes unusual valve-lifter-like noises and stops responding to acceleration right after a stoplight.
- Vehicle unexpectedly slips out of park and rolls backward with the driver outside the car.
- Brake pedal fails to respond with enough force, leading to a collision even with the driver pressing down.
- Rear backup camera and parking guidelines stop working or were never functional, reducing visibility while reversing.
- Sunroof glass cracks or shatters while driving at highway speed without any impact.
2023 Cadillac Escalade 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 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.
2023 compared with other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- Compared with other Escalade model years, 2023 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks 1st worst out of 21 years tracked by NHTSA, so it is rated Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
- Engine complaints dominate, making up 85% of all reported issues (115 of 136 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Does the 2023 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Escalade covering the engine, brakes, suspension control arm bolts, and electrical body control module software.
- Are there braking issues on the 2023 Escalade?
- Yes, NHTSA data shows 5 brake-related complaints and one recall (24V674000) for an electronic brake control module software update, with a reported crash tied to brake pedal failure at 42,000 miles.
- How does the 2023 Escalade compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 100, 2023 scores worse than every other Escalade year in the dataset, including other Avoid years like 2007 (95), 2022 (85), and 2015 (80).