2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 9, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

On Friday, XXX, my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV (VIN: [XXX]), with approximately 10,000 miles, experienced a sudden and complete engine failure while I was driving on a busy highway exit ramp. My wife, [XXX] daughter, and dog were in the vehicle. The engine died without warning, resulting in total loss of power. We were extremely fortunate that no following vehicle struck us. This created an immediate and serious risk of a high-speed collision. The vehicle was towed to Pepe Cadillac of [XXX]. Pepe Cadillac diagnosed the failure as involving metal shavings/contamination in the oil, internal engine failure consistent with spun bearing and/or crankshaft/connecting rod issues, and stated that it matches the known L87 6.2-liter V8 manufacturing defect. A complete engine replacement is required. The vehicle remains at the dealership waiting on a new engine. This failure pattern matches the manufacturing defects that were the subject of the prior safety recall on 2021–2024 L87 engines (NHTSA 25V274000) and that are currently under investigation in Engineering Analysis EA26005, which covers 2021–2026 model year vehicles including the Escalade and Escalade ESV. I am submitting this complaint so that it can be added to the open investigation. Sudden loss of propulsion while driving is a clear safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 2, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

Vehicle Issues / Defects 1. Damaged Passenger Entertainment Screen at Delivery The passenger-side entertainment screen was damaged when the truck was delivered. The damage was present from the time the vehicle was received and was not caused by the owner. 2. Engine Failure at Approximately 7,000 Miles The vehicle suffered a complete engine failure at approximately 7,000 miles. Given the extremely low mileage, this represents a significant mechanical failure very early in the vehicle’s service life. These issues should be documented as part of the vehicle’s warranty and service history, including all repair orders, photographs, dates the vehicle was unavailable for use, and communications with the dealer/manufacturer.

Incident: September 6, 2026 · Filed: September 19, 2026

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, at approximately 10:38am, my wife was driving our 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Sport (VIN 1GYS9RKL8TR113098, ~9,000 miles) with multiple young children in the vehicle. The vehicle began making loud clicking noises and lost power at a busy intersection, with no prior warning lights or messages; the clicking was the only symptom before the sudden loss of power. She maneuvered it partially off the road; it would not restart. She removed the children onto the roadside while managing a disabled vehicle in active traffic, creating real risk of a secondary collision. I arrived at 11:00am and tried to restart it, including adding fuel, with no success, only intermittent clicking and no start. A jump start was attempted before AAA arrived. AAA arrived at 1:16pm, inspected the vehicle, and confirmed the battery and fuse boxes were fine and not the cause. OnStar was also contacted. The vehicle was towed at 2:37pm to Camargo Cadillac, our dealer. I contacted the dealership the next morning. On September 9, their service department confirmed the engine had failed internally and requires full replacement, a diagnosis made by the authorized dealer, not merely suspected by me. The failed engine remains at the dealership, unremoved, and is available for inspection upon request. I've opened Case #SR:110162786 with Cadillac Customer Assistance; I am not aware of a direct GM factory-level inspection yet. At approximately 9,000 miles and roughly nine months of ownership, this vehicle suffered a total, sudden engine failure with no advance warning, stranding my family in traffic. This engine (L87, 6.2L V8) is subject to a prior recall (25V-274) on 2021-2024 Escalades for related crankshaft and connecting rod defects, and NHTSA has since opened investigation EA26005, extending to 2025 and 2026 model year vehicles due to continued reported failures. I'm submitting this to add my vehicle's experience to that federal safety record.

Incident: June 1, 2026 · Filed: August 28, 2026

At 9,000 miles the engine on my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV started knocking and the dealership replaced it. They did not provide a loaner or a rental vehicle for the time the vehicle was at the shop. After the replacement, the new engine sounds the same and will probably needs replacing as well. After the fix I started getting electrical issues my rear right signal and taillight started acting up. Sometimes the rear signal doesn't work and another times the rear right taillight would stay on after turning the vehicle off and locking it.

Incident: July 31, 2026 · Filed: August 23, 2026

I was driving my NEW 2026 Cadillac Escalade down the highway when my engine froze up! It was damaged so bad that they replaced the engine. So obviously GM has not fixed this problem. They promised that the issue was fixed or I would have never bought this vehicle.

Incident: August 4, 2026 · Filed: August 22, 2026

I pulled out onto a highway and sped up to 65 mph. About 10 minutes later, I heard a ticking sound.That sound proceeded to get very loud, almost like a loud pan banging/squeeling. The car seemed to “drive” normal but that sound was heard only on acceration of the gas pedal. If I was not pressing on the gas, the car sounded normal. Once I pressed the gas, the loud squeal occurred . I had it towed 3 hrs away to the Cadillac dealership who replaced my engine. Said it was the crankshaft in my 6.2l engine. The car was returned to me, and two days later, the check engine light came on. I drove to the local GM dealer to get it scanned. It said “engine control module starter drive control” and “engine control module starter motor control”. So I drove it home. The next day, I went to start it and nothing happens. The screen lights up, says “service 4 wheel drive” and I can’t put in neutral or gear. Does not turn over, nothing. Now I’m waiting for my tow back to dealer which is 3 hours away and Onstar said it could take up to 5 days bc of distance.

Incident: June 18, 2026 · Filed: August 4, 2026

On June 18, 2026, while my nearly new 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV was being driven on the Ohio Turnpike, the vehicle unexpectedly entered reduced-power or limp mode, lost propulsion, shut off, and would not restart. The vehicle had approximately 2,234 miles. The sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred in active highway traffic and created a serious risk of a collision. The vehicle had to be towed from the Ohio Turnpike to Cole Valley Cadillac. Cole Valley Cadillac opened Repair Order 6206894 and determined that the engine requires replacement under the manufacturer’s warranty. The repair records reference replacement of the engine, engine core, and engine block. The vehicle has remained out of service since June 18, 2026, and no confirmed repair-completion date has been provided. General Motors was notified under Cadillac Customer Assistance Case 103386652 and GM Repurchase Case 1153162. I am reporting this incident because a catastrophic engine failure and sudden loss of propulsion in a nearly new vehicle at highway speed could place the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk.

Incident: June 24, 2026 · Filed: June 26, 2026

Driving on [XXX] in Missouri, on the way to Kentucky for business. Outside of St. Robert, motor started knocking and losing power. AC quit, knocking got worse the power loss continued. I limped it to the top of the hill with hazards on, pulled off the interstate on a large shoulder, not safe. could not stand in the ditch due to all the ticks, stood in front of the car then it started raining. Oncoming traffic started getting very close due to low visibility/heavy rain. Tow truck arrived in 2 hours. Towed to Thompson Cadillac in Springfield, cost me extra since it was beyond 100 Miles. Diagnosed as Engine Failure, will be 3 months in the shop, and i get a Buick subcompact as my rental, all they would approve. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 21, 2026 · Filed: June 3, 2026

The car engine stopped on the highway while driving. Wouldn’t turn back on all of my four children were on the car.

Incident: February 28, 2026 · Filed: March 1, 2026

Engine lost power on steep grade hill with kids in the car on our way to Tahoe putting us all at risk