2025 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Escalade years
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Caution" rating. Engine complaints dominate at 65% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 6,476.5 miles, plus one active recall for wheel hub bolts.
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 18 hwy
Top 2025 Cadillac Escalade problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine13 (65%)
- Electrical System7 (35%)
- Brakes3 (15%)
- Other2 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
- Steering1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
What owners report
- Engine loses power and shuts down suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with no warning lights.
- Owners describe loud lifter tapping/typewriter-like engine noise that gets louder with acceleration.
- One owner reported a catastrophic engine failure with a broken connecting rod and piston that punched a hole in the block.
- Electrical system faults trigger multiple dashboard error messages and can lock owners out of the vehicle, defeating remote unlock attempts.
- Owners report unexpected phantom braking at low-to-moderate speeds and while reversing, with no obstacles present.
- Brake system warnings appear on the instrument cluster indicating impaired braking and slowing ability.
2025 Cadillac Escalade recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V304000May 14, 2026Suspension, Wheels & Tires2,457 vehicles
Wheels:hub
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025â2026 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2025 Escalade a Complaint Index of 60 and a "Caution" verdict, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years of the Escalade. Engine complaints make up 65% of all reports for this year.
- What is the most common problem with the 2025 Cadillac Escalade?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 13 of 20 complaints (65%), with a median failure mileage of 6,476.5 miles.
- Does the 2025 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 26V304000) for incorrect wheel hub bolts on models with 24-inch wheels; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2025 Escalade compare to other Escalade years?
- With a Complaint Index of 60, the 2025 model ranks better than 2023 (100, Avoid) and 2022 (93, Avoid) but worse than years like 2018 (7, Best) and 2020 (13, Best).