The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control activated, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the…
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 34 engine complaints filed for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 51% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 34 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a documented engine defect (recall 25V274000) causing sudden, unwarned engine failure at highway speeds with no check-engine light—stranding drivers in live traffic. Affected vehicles span 700 to 67,000 miles; even those that received recall service have experienced subsequent failures, and replacement engines are heavily backordered.
The 2023 Escalade ESV has a serious engine defect that causes sudden, complete loss of propulsion while driving, usually at highway speeds. Owners report the engine simply shuts down without warning—no check-engine light, no advance symptoms in most cases. When it happens, the transmission automatically shifts to neutral and the engine won't restart, leaving the vehicle stranded in live traffic. Multiple owners describe being stuck in center lanes of busy interstates, narrowly avoiding collisions with vehicles traveling at highway speed behind them.
Some owners heard a knocking or ticking noise days or weeks before complete failure; others had zero warning. A few reported metal shavings in the oil or the dealership discovering the engine would not start after a recall inspection. Failures documented between 700 miles and 67,000 miles, with the majority happening between 10,000 and 40,000 miles.
GM issued recall 25V274000 for "Engine and Engine Cooling"—involving higher-viscosity oil, a new oil cap, filter replacement, and manual update. However, owners report the recall parts were not available when requested, and in at least two cases, the recall work didn't prevent or stop failures. One owner reports the replacement engine GM installed failed again under the same bulletin. Multiple dealers have engines in stock specifically for this defect, and replacement timelines stretch 3–5 months or longer with no firm delivery dates.
Same Cadillac Escalade ESV engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Catastrophic engine failure with complete loss of propulsion
Engine shuts down abruptly while driving at highway speeds, transmission automatically shifts to neutral, vehicle becomes uncontrollable and unsafe. Typically occurs with no warning lights or minimal warning. Owners report being stranded on roadways in dangerous traffic conditions.
When: Between approximately 700 and 67,000 miles; majority of failures reported between 10,000 and 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down suddenly while driving; Transmission shifts to neutral without driver input; Loss of power steering; Vehicle cannot be restarted; No warning lights or check engine lights prior to failure; Occasionally preceded by knocking or ticking noise; Loss of acceleration or inability to exceed 50 mph before complete stall
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; parts frequently backordered through GM with no confirmed delivery dates. Some owners charged out-of-pocket ($11,000 cited in one case; $440 diagnostic and $2,590 fuel tank charges cited). Repair timelines extend 3-5 months or longer. One owner reported paying $11,000 before recall existed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued. Recall involved inspection and conditional repair: higher viscosity oil installation, 6-oil fill cap installation, oil filter replacement, and owner's manual update. Recall marked as 'completed' on some vehicles without actual service performed. Multiple owners report GM refused buyback requests. One owner report that replaced engine failed again under same bulletin.
Metal shavings in oil with catastrophic internal engine damage
Metal shavings discovered in oil pan during inspection; oil level nearly completely drained. Indicates severe internal engine wear or bearing failure with no prior warning to driver.
When: Early failure reports suggest this condition develops without advance warning
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking noise from engine area; Oil level drops dramatically; Complete engine breakdown
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required. Engines backordered with no delivery date certainty.
Engine knock or ticking noise preceding catastrophic failure
Abnormal knocking or ticking noise from engine compartment often precedes complete engine failure, but owners report dealerships sometimes cannot duplicate the noise during inspection.
When: Occurs days to weeks before complete engine failure
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking sound from engine; Light ticking noise; Noise sometimes cannot be reproduced at dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Owners brought vehicles in for diagnosis of noise; ultimately required complete engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 25V274000 issued but parts not available when owners requested service. Owners reported being in holding pattern waiting for recall repair parts.
Engine seizing after recall repair
Engine seizes after dealership performed recall inspection or repair work, suggesting the inspection process itself or inadequate repair can trigger failure. One owner reports newly replaced engine (from initial recall) failed again under the same bulletin.
When: After recall service or inspection; one case 6 months after recall work performed
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seizes after recall inspection or repair; Complete loss of propulsion
Repairs/costs cited: Requires additional engine replacement despite previous recall or engine replacement work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 25V274000 and bulletin cited. One recall inspection marked 'closed' and vehicle given salvage title despite no prior salvage history. One owner reports newly replaced engine failed under same bulletin that mandated the original replacement.
Software or electrical faults misdiagnosed before engine replacement needed
Vehicle diagnosed with software update need or ECM/electrical issue, treated for those problems, but failure recurs and ultimate diagnosis is internal engine failure requiring replacement.
When: At very low mileage (700 miles cited in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; Cannot be restarted; Failed to diagnose correctly on first service visit
Repairs/costs cited: Initial software update attempted; failure recurred; full engine replacement ultimately required.
Loss of acceleration or severe power loss while driving
Vehicle loses ability to accelerate or maintain speed during highway driving, with transmission shifting to neutral and engine unable to restart.
When: At varying mileages between 10,000 and 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Failure to accelerate when depressing pedal; Vehicle slows to 20 mph unexpectedly; Transmission shifts to neutral; Engine stalls
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 25V274000 repair parts not yet available at time of reported failures.
Engine overheating warning followed by stall
Engine overheating warning message appears on display immediately before engine shuts down, vehicle shifts to neutral, and engine fails to restart.
When: Reported in at least one case at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Severe engine overheating warning message; Engine shutdown; Transmission shifts to neutral; Cannot restart
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and…
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The…
on 18 June 2025, i was on I95 driving highway speeds and the engine shut down and transmission shifted to N. i was able to coast to a left shoulder (we were in a construction zone so right shoulder was blocked off). Alert on digital dash said to press start engine again...nothing. i tried a second time and the vehicle started. i was able to drive about .5 miles and the engine shut off again…
Just got the call from the dealership BAYWAY Cadillac of The Woodlands that the L87 V-8 engine recall failed inspection and the engine will need to be replaced.
Had engine trouble with your 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 34 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 37,300 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Cadillac/Escalade ESV.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.