YearToAvoid

2025 Cadillac Escalade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2025 Cadillac Escalade has 20 complaints, 1 recall, and a Complaint Index of 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 65% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 6,476.5 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
55/100
#10 of 21 Escalade years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
20
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 18 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2025 Cadillac Escalade problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine13 (65%)
  2. Electrical System7 (35%)
  3. Brakes3 (15%)
  4. Other2 (10%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  7. Steering1 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

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 and shuts down suddenly while driving at highway speed, sometimes near 75-77 mph.
  • Engine develops a loud lifter tapping noise that speeds up with acceleration, making the vehicle feel unsafe to drive.
  • A vehicle reportedly suffered catastrophic engine failure with a broken piston and connecting rod puncturing the engine block.
  • Dashboard shows multiple system error messages followed by the vehicle locking occupants out and disabling remote unlock.
  • Owners describe phantom braking events at around 45 mph with no obstacles present, plus unexpected hard braking while reversing.
  • Brake system warnings appear on the instrument cluster indicating impaired braking and slowing ability.
2025 Cadillac Escalade complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2025Oct 2025Jan 2026Mar 2026Jun 2026Sep 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2025 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (4).

2025 Cadillac Escalade recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V304000May 14, 2026Suspension, Wheels & Tires2,457 vehicles

    Wheels:hub

    General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.

    Risk: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 14, 2026.

2025 Cadillac Escalade fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
18 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.

2025 compared with other Escalade years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023Avoid100136416
2024Caution6548216
2025Caution5520116

All Cadillac Escalade years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA lists 20 complaints and 1 recall for the 2025 Escalade, giving it a Complaint Index of 55 and a Caution verdict compared to other Escalade model years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2025 Cadillac Escalade?
Engine issues are the top concern, accounting for 65% of complaints, including reports of sudden power loss and loud lifter noise, with a median failure mileage of 6,476.5 miles.
Does the 2025 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (26V304000) covers incorrect wheel hub bolts on 24-inch wheels; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2025 Escalade compare to other years?
It ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years, worse than top years like 2013 and 2018 which carry Best verdicts, but better than years like 2023 and 2007, which are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Cadillac Escalade?
EPA rates it at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000.

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.