Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. This special coverage covers if an engine failure occurs in the vehicle as a result of the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after May 23, 2025, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation code
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2024 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on vehicle engines within the identified suspect VIN population. If the engine passes the PICO test, the engine oil will be changed from 0W20 to Mobil 1 Supercar 0W40 dexosR. From that point forward, the engine must use 0W40 dexosR oil products for all future oil change services.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. This special coverage covers if an engine failure occurs in the vehicle as a result of the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after May 23, 2025, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation code
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2024 Escalade ESV's 6.2-liter engine shows a pattern of sudden catastrophic failure across the 10 complaints. Most common: complete engine seizure at highway speeds (60–70 mph) with no warning light, accompanied by loud grinding or knocking noises. Owners have found metal shavings in the oil, indicating internal component wear or damage.
Failures have occurred between 15,000 and 41,000 miles. One owner reported the same symptom on a 2023 model prior to trading it in. Another experienced lifter and camshaft failure, which was repaired, but then the engine seized completely two weeks later.
Check engine lights appear in several complaints, but dealers struggle to pinpoint the root cause in some cases, with one owner spending a month in the shop before being told a new engine is needed. One owner had the recall (NHTSA 25V274000) performed in December but experienced engine lockup shortly after. Multiple owners report that replacement 6.2L engines are on national back-order, leaving vehicles stuck at dealers for weeks. One owner's vehicle has been waiting 40+ days for an engine; another waited over a month. The failures have stranded owners on highways and shoulders, creating safety hazards from oncoming traffic.
Same Cadillac Escalade ESV engine reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Seizure / Catastrophic Internal Failure
Engine stops running or seizes, often with metal shavings/contamination found in oil. Owners report sudden stalling at highway speeds with no warning, loud grinding/knocking noises, or complete lack of power. Dealers diagnose as catastrophic engine failure requiring replacement.
When: Between 15,000–41,000 miles. One owner reported prior failure on 2023 model at similar mileage before trading for 2024.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden stalling while driving at highway speeds (60–70 mph); Loud grinding or knocking noise from engine; Complete loss of engine power with no restart; Metal shavings or contamination visible in engine oil; Engine locked up / seized
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required. Multiple owners report waiting weeks or longer for replacement engines due to GM parts back-order status. Warranty covered replacement on at least one vehicle at 41,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). One owner reported recall performed in December but failure occurred shortly after. Recall parts reportedly not yet available for some vehicles as of complaint filing.
Lifter and Camshaft Failure
Mechanical failure of engine lifters and camshaft, repaired at dealer. However, complete engine seizure occurred within two weeks of repair, requiring full engine replacement.
When: Lifter/camshaft failure repaired; engine seizure followed within two weeks. Seizure occurred while driving on interstate.
Symptoms owners cite: Lifter failure diagnosed and repaired; Camshaft damage and failure; Complete engine failure and seizure two weeks after repair; No warning before seizure
Repairs/costs cited: Lifter and camshaft replaced at dealer. Within two weeks, vehicle seized on interstate and required complete engine replacement.
Check Engine Light with Persistent Undiagnosed Electrical / Fuel System Issue
Check engine light illuminates repeatedly after repair attempts. Vehicle visited shop multiple times over one month without permanent resolution. Dealer eventually recommended full engine replacement, though root cause unclear from narrative.
When: Vehicle broken down on road; subsequent month of repeated shop visits.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on consistently after repairs; Vehicle suddenly broke down on road; Multiple shop visits without resolution
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: In shop for one month with multiple repair attempts. Dealer finally recommended new engine; owner unable to specify what was repaired in interim visits.
Rough Idle / Transmission Engagement Issue
Engine feels unable to engage into gear smoothly; vehicle jumps forward and shuts off. Occurs randomly whether at full stop attempting to accelerate or during normal driving. Requires 2–3 restart attempts to get vehicle running again.
When: Random occurrences; timing not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine feels unable to engage into gear; Vehicle jumps forward and shuts off; Requires 2–3 attempts to restart engine; Difficult to reproduce; occurs randomly
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits with no resolution or understanding of cause identified.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
The vehicle suddenly broke down on the road putting my life at risk, resulting into having it towed. Since then the engine light keeps coming on consistently after repairs. It has been consistent visit to the shop without a permanent solution. It has been in the shop for a month and is still in the shop. They’ve been unable to find the problem until they informed me a new engine will be needed.…
The contact owns a 2024 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE and ENGINE COOLING).…
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal shavings found in the oil. The contact owned a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV and expected the same failure. The contact stated that the engine seized,…
I was driving 65 miles per hour on the high way suddenly engine shutdown Leaving me without power I managed to get to the shoulder but I was parked on at very and area I almost was rear ending for the incoming traffic she to be afternoon a Conner spot end out call if 911 lucky for me state troopers arrived and parked behind me until the town at truck arrived this was a very live treated…
I had the recall performed on my ESV in December, but driving home from [XXX] my dash indicated that I needed to push start. I did and it slowly died. I had it towed to Andrews Cadillac where it was purchased and I learned that my engine locked up. It is being completely replaced with 41,000 miles. Thankfully it was under warranty but apparently this is an ongoing issue with GM and the 6.2…
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the 6.2-liter gasoline engine was on a national back…
We have brought the car to Cadillac on multiple occasions with no understanding of why or resolution of the problem. On multiple occasions the engine feels like it cannot engage into gear, jumps forward and shuts off. This can happen from either being at a full stop and trying to accelerate or driving like normal. It takes 2 or 3 attempts to turn the engine back on. It is difficult to reproduce…
Signs of early engine failure Metal contamination in oil dip stick
Lifter failure. Camshaft damage and failure. Those were replaced. Within two weeks later: Complete engine failure. Seized while driving on interstate in traffic. Was stranded on Interstate near DFW airport. Required complete engine replacement. There was no warning before it seized.
Had engine trouble with your 2024 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 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 18,000 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/2024/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.