Table 1 shows one common power train related problems of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
The engine. I’m told my engine is not part of the recall but makes an extremely loud sound on start up. Been to dealer just for them to say the vehicle is not part of the recall. Recently called roadside assistance because the vehicle shut off in the middle of traffic. Took it back to dealer, nothing they can do, just keep bringing it back! now warranty has expired & sound is getting worse.
While driving there was a loud noise and car started shaking and continued making clunking sounds. Had to pull over. Vehicle is not drivable. Had it towed to the dealership, they are saying the ther is an issue with a rod and engine is blown and needs a new engine. They are describing the same exact issue that this motor is on recall for other vehicles with the same motor and same year, but for some reason the manufacturer won't put ours on the recall list.
Experienced engine failure as outline in recall for 6. 2liter l87 engines. Engine failure occured on 5/28/2025. Confirmed engine failure by Cadillac dealer on 5/29/2025. Vehicle is still in repair shop with no eta on replacement motor. Cadillac has failed to provide a comparable loaner vehicle. This is creating financial impact as I use my vehicle for work.
While on a family vacation in the black hills, I began to hear a knocking sound from the front right of the vehicle. Shortly after the engine began to sputter and multiple warning lights/ messages began to appear. Just prior to this, everything on the vehicle was functioning perfectly. We stopped operating the vehicle immediately when it began to malfunction and pulled over, leaving me and my young family stranded over an hour away from our rental cabin. The next day we were able to get a tow truck and find a dealership, denny menholt Chevrolet back in rapid city, sd that was able to look at it right away. We were told by denny menholt later that day that there was a bearing failure of the rod and piston on cylinder #8 and that the entire engine block was destroyed resulting in the need of a whole new engine. We were also told by the dealer that our vehicle was not included in the recall of all the other 6. 2 motors, however, gm was going to take care of everything including a brand new engine, rental car coverage, and shipping the vehicle back to us, all free of charge to us. Fast forward several weeks and we got a call from denny menholt stating that gm had gone back on their word and was not going to pay for any of the damages because we were 7k miles over the powertrain warranty. I have filed a complaint with gm customer service but have gotten nowhere after 3 weeks worth of phone calls and emails. The engine failure that I had is the exact same problem that all of the other 6. 2 motors have been recalled for, so I don't understand why my vehicle is not also included in the recall. This issue left me in a very bad place being stranded with a [xxx] and [xxx]. As a lifelong gm customer, I'm severely disappointed in gm and the way that they have handled my case. This Escalade is supposed to be their top of the line vehicle, it only made it to 77,632 miles before it had catastrophic engine failure, and now gm will not stand behind their product. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of informatio.
Due to issues identified in - safety recall n252494001 l87 engine loss of propulsion we have had to get our Escalade [xxx] ) repaired with a cost of circa $9500. We are due to pick this up tomorrow. There was an issue with the lifters which caused damage to the engine and the crankshaft, the engine made a very louder noise so we pulled over . From that point on the vehicle would not start consistently, when it did it would not go into gear and would not go into neutral. My issue here is that although the issues that caused the repair to be neeed directly correlate to the recall my VIN is not included and thus we need to pay for this recall fix ourselves. Ideally my VIN and other like vehicles. Ours is a 2021 Cadillac Escalade 4d spt plat should be included. Per the recall notice 2021 Escalades are included hovwever my VIN is not. I’m trying to understand why even though the make and model is indicated in the recall. I have reached out to gm, Cadillac and the dealership and they all point to each other with no one assisting at all information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
I purchased my vehicle a little over a year ago and have had multiple engine repairs. The first issue started with the lifters going out. Shortly after the lifters were repaired, the engine seized, causing us to get an engine replacement. A few days after having the new engine, we had the same knocking/ticking noise coming from the engine which was also repaired once again. Then yesterday, 3/13/25, the engine started to knock/tick once again, but this time more aggressively. (new engine had only 15,000 miles. ).
I was driving home on the evening of Monday [xxx] in my 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The car began to shake, the yellow engine warning light began flashing, black smoke began pouring out of the exhaust pipes and there was a strong smell of fuel. I was 1/2 mile from my home. I limped the car home, left it in the driveway overnight, and called Cadillac roadside assistance to have the car towed to the Cadillac dealership in boulder, CO the next morning. The dealership's initial diagnosis it a failed lifter and cam. This is a known issue across all gm's 6. 2l engines and is caused by their afm/dfm management system. I am at 69,000 miles, with only 1,000 miles to go on the powertrain warranty (70k). Gm needs to step up and recall these motors. They are saying that they might offer extended component coverage to someone that has had at least 2 failed lifter repairs. This does me no good with only 1,000 miles to go under my 70k powertrain warranty. There are many reports of completely failed engines from this problem on super low mileage vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
My vehicle has stalled twice while I was at a stop sign and/or red light. It says there are no recalls for my vehicle but I feel it may be a problem.
Engine breakdown in middle of the road. Lifter valves failed and had to be taken in for complete engine repair/replacement. Dealership is currently repairing. Vehicle is available to inspect after repair if requested. Lifter valves engine failure confirmed by dealership. Safety was serious concern as engine failed in middle road with family in vehicle during heavy traffic. Could have lost control of vehicle as engine went haywire. 45,997 miles. No warnings signs before complete failure. Just completed a road trip day prior with no issues.
I bought this car used and within a couple hundred miles the car would just shut off and the dash lights came on. I took it in and they diagnosed it and replaced the camshaft actuator. Within a few hundred more miles the same symptoms appeared as I was driving on a 70mph freeway. I had to pull over to the shoulder and this time noticed a metallic smell. Car would not turn on. Had to get it towed back to the dealer. After a month there they informed me the engine seized and needs to be replaced. Approximately 6 weeks and still no estimate to when I will get my car back.
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and decelerated before stalling. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that the engine and transmission might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
I had my 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv vehicle service twice at the dealership of purchase regarding the vehicle gear shifting on it’s on and dragging. The service advisor said they couldn’t find a problem with the vehicle. He told bring it back if it does it again. 2/11/24 the problem occurred twice in one day. I thought maybe I had bumped it out of gear inadvertently. I started looking down every time I touched the gear shift to assure it was the correct setting. I booked appointment service via my phone 2/11/24 for 2/13/24 service. I was at the car wash drive thru 2/12/24 my vehicle was in neutral coming off the conveyor belt. As I attempted to pressed the shift toggle to change gear my vehicle made a weird noise . I never got the chance to shift to drive. Grinding pulling noise like it was stuck. My vehicle shot forward like something catapulted. My vehicle hit another vehicle before hitting a wall. My air front air bag never deployed. The collision avoidance did not engage or signal. I don’t understand how a vehicle can shift it self in and out of gear on its own. If I’m doing 25 mile the vehicle shouldn’t make rpm act like I’m doing 100. Also if I’m doing 70 mile the vehicle should not shift down while pressing the gas pedal. Had they listened to me and took what I was saying seriously this would have never happened. Accident location harperwoods mi mr c’s car wash police report 24-1265.
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the message "service transmission now - unable to shift soon" was displayed. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
I drive it from gilbert az to san diego California the car lost power all of sudden almost killed with my family I left at dealer in California and went back to gilbert arizona no diagnosis yet by dealer but I suspect gas pump failure reported on internet that Cadillac recalled some 2021 Escalade for gas pump failure but there is no recall on my car it is now at simpson GMC Cadillac dealer buena park California.
Car lost power all of the sudden twice good things did not happen while driving on the high way has only 30000 mile still at Cadillac dealer in California they found internal case defect they r replacing it it is fatal defect.
Ever since the lifters broke in the new vehicle (which the dealer now tells us is a defect in the engine and that the lifters keep breaking; it was not a "bad delivery of lifters" as we were initially told), the car idles very rough and has power surges. Today sitting at a red light with the foot lightly on the break, the car lunged forward against the break during one of the power surges. If we had been closer to the vehicle in front of us, or if we had been up against a cross walk, there would have been a collision.
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v036000 (power train) 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 failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.