Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Cadillac Escalade - part 1

Engine failure and replaced. Received vehicle back and placed under 2k miles on the new engine and 3 times now it has shut off while in motion and required a restart.

My 2024 Cadillac Escalade had the 6. 2 v8 engine recall done in 6/25. I’ve put less than 8k miles on it since and just rolled 32400 miles total. While driving with my family in the car on 8/30 on the highway, it lost all power and just shut off while driving highway speeds. I was able to safely stop but very dangerous. Vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to dealer.

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This vehicle had the recall engine replacement and now hearing engine tick.

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Oil pressure sesnsor warning. The dealership is saying I need a new motor.

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Engine knocking on cold start up. Second time hearing this. Loud “rattling” noise emanating from exhaust tips on rear of vehicle. I experienced this once before and notified my dealer. Additionally, at that time, I had a loss of power while towing a very, very, light empty trailer. The vehicle was struggling to maintain normal driving speeds and required considerable throttle input to do so. The loss of power was so pronounced that I actually pulled over to the side of the road in a parking lot to check to see if the wheel bearings had locked up on the small trailer I was towing. Of course, the trailer was completely normal and the hub temperatures were completely normal. I later found out about the gm l87 engine issues and the recall issue. This vehicle then had the “pico“ test performed on it, and I was informed that it had passed. However, today I once again heard the same engine knock that I heard a few months ago.

On 8/25/2026, my 2024 Cadillac Escalade with the 6. 2l v8 suffered a sudden loss of propulsion at approximately 49,754 miles. While my husband was driving and preparing to enter the highway, the vehicle went into neutral and lost propulsion. He heard a loud banging noise, the low-oil warning illuminated, and the check-engine light began flashing. I later looked in the Cadillac app and saw code p0016. The engine then completely seized. The vehicle was towed to sewell Cadillac. The dealer documented that the engine would not crank or turn manually, found metal/debris in the oil and internal bearing/rod damage, and replaced the complete engine. We picked up the Escalade on 8/29/2026 at approximately 49,779 miles. After only 127 miles, at approximately 49,906 miles, I experienced another loss of propulsion while driving. The vehicle unexpectedly went into neutral and shut off. I was able to restart it and safely move it, but it shut off again. There were no warning lights after restarting. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership. On the second repair order, the dealer documented the complaint as “vehicle turned off and went to neutral. ” they found code u3000, documented “ecm software out of date” and “ecm software malfunction,” and reprogrammed the ecm using gm’s sps system. The repair order identifies this as a “repeat repair” related to the prior engine replacement. As far as I know, my VIN was not included in the applicable 6. 2l engine recall, and I was not informed by the dealership about the known 6. 2l engine issue. I am reporting this because the vehicle has experienced two sudden loss-of-propulsion events in less than 50,000 miles, including one only 127 miles after complete engine replacement. I am concerned this vehicle is unsafe to drive.

On August 25, 2026, while driving my 2026 Cadillac Escalade, the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost power and the vehicle became inoperable while I was on the road. There was no meaningful advance warning that would have allowed me to safely anticipate the failure. The sudden loss of engine power created a serious safety concern because the vehicle could no longer be driven normally or moved under its own power. The vehicle ultimately had to be transported by a specialty tow service to an authorized Cadillac dealership. The Cadillac dealership inspected the vehicle and advised me that there was a major internal engine failure involving the bottom end of the engine, including the crankshaft/rod-bearing area, and that the engine requires replacement. The vehicle was purchased brand new on December 31, 2025 with approximately 15 miles and suffered this major engine failure less than eight months after purchase. The vehicle had approximately 12,000 miles at the time of the failure. The vehicle is currently at the authorized Cadillac dealership and is available for inspection. Cadillac/gm has been notified of the failure, and a case has been opened with the manufacturer. My primary safety concern is that a major engine failure occurred suddenly while the vehicle was being driven. A sudden loss of propulsion in traffic could create a significant risk of a collision, particularly at highway speeds or in circumstances where the driver needs engine power to safely maneuver the vehicle.

2023 Cadillac Escalade 6. 2l engine recall and safety concern. I followed the recall process, had the prescribed remedy performed, and yet the information now available has left me with substantially diminished confidence that the vehicle is protected against the very failure the recall was intended to address (catastrophic engine failure). My concern is reinforced by NHTSA's engineering analysis ea26005, which is examining post-remedy engine failures. When cold starting my Escalade, I hear clanging, flapping, and what I perceive to be abnormal noises coming from the engine. Combined with documented post remedy failures now being investigated by NHTSA, I do not believe the recall remedy provides a sufficient margin of safety.

On xxx, I was driving a 2025 Cadillac Escalade equipped with the 6. 2l l87 v8 engine westbound on [xxx] in [xxx] at approximately 35 mph in normal traffic. Without any warning, noise, or dashboard indication, the engine shut down and the vehicle lost all motive power while in a travel lane. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop, but the loss of power occurred in moving traffic and created a serious risk of a rear-end collision. The vehicle had approximately 24,000 miles at the time of failure. It has been maintained according to the manufacturer's schedule and has had no prior engine repairs. The vehicle was purchased new in xxx. Gm roadside assistance was contacted and towed the vehicle to pepe Cadillac for diagnosis. As of this filing, the cause has not been reported to me. I am aware of NHTSA recall 25v-274 and engineering analysis ea26005 concerning l87 6. 2l v8 engine failures involving connecting rod and crankshaft defects. My vehicle is a 2025 model year, outside the original recall production period but within the population covered by ea26005. This is my second l87 engine failure. My previous vehicle, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade with the same 6. 2l l87 engine, suffered engine failure in 2024 and received a replacement engine under warranty. I purchased the 2025 vehicle new in xxx after that experience. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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I was going down the highway at 75mph and all of sudden the engine started loud knocking and loss of power. Good thing I was able to get off the exit and stop safely. Car was towed to dealer. Needs new engine 48k miles.

Complete engine failure at 75mph. Vehicle only has 5000 miles on it.

On the day I was driving my 2021 Escalade had completely stopped in the middle of traffic , the vehicle was looked over by a certified mechanic and stated that it was at the full level of oil 0w-20 as stated to be put in by gm on the oil cap he stated that the motor l87 which is in my vehicle is under recall for this reason it the motor has put I and my child in complete danger in the middle of a busy street with the vehicle unable to move at all I stay on top of all vehicle maintenance and all recalls and was not informed that this motor was under recall for seizure I would like for the nhsta to place this vehicle motor and others that are not informed of this information to please notify and rectify the issue because this has put me and my child and me being a pregnant mom in complete danger due to gm . I had no symptoms or problems or lights messages on my dash board the vehicle just abruptly stopped and scared me and my child .

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Bought a 2021 Escalade and at 50,000 miles it turned off at the middle of intersection while riding with my kids taking them to basketball. I had it towed to Cadillac they said it needed a new battery I left with new battery and broke down on the interstate while trying to pick up kids from school. I then had the car towed back to shop where they then said two days later I needed a new motor and that my warranty would not cover that and I’d have to pay 25,000-30…. Even though I just bought the car for 100,000…. I towed it to rk Chevrolet where I waited for over a year. I had to buy a used car because I was never offered or able to use a loaner. My cadilliac then got hit at the shop by a uber driver and the whole front in had to be fixed. I got my car back in November 2025 it’s now August 2026 9 months later it is back in the shop for motor and transmission issues with check engine light on. I am a hard working mother and I have spent more money on a car in my life. As a mother with kids to not have a car is a problem but the worst is the lack of help I have received. I would love any help in what I should do as this has been a nightmare. Please send or give me any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

On xxx, I picked up my 2025 Cadillac Escalade esv, VIN [xxx], from open road Cadillac after a replacement 6. 2l v8 engine had been installed following failure of the original engine. Approximately one mile after leaving the dealership, the engine temperature rose to approximately 297°f. The vehicle displayed a critical oil-pressure/no-oil warning, coolant leaked from the vehicle, and the replacement engine produced a loud metallic knocking/clanking sound and had difficulty starting. The vehicle could not be safely operated and was returned to the dealership. The dealership subsequently advised me that a coolant hose/component had come off and caused the coolant loss. I was later advised that the vehicle was repaired, had completed approximately a 15-mile road test, and was ready for pickup. My safety concern remains that I have not been provided documentation showing that the oil-pressure warning and loud metallic engine knock were fully diagnosed or that internal engine damage caused by the extreme overheating and/or oil-pressure event was ruled out. I have video evidence documenting the knocking sound and photographs documenting the incident. Cadillac/gm has an open executive case concerning this vehicle, case #106602304. I have requested gm technical/field-engineer review before accepting the vehicle for normal operation. I am reporting this incident because NHTSA currently has engineering analysis ea26005 open concerning loss of motive power and l87 6. 2l engine failures, including failures involving replacement engines and engines manufactured after the production period covered by the earlier recall. I am requesting that this complaint and VIN be reviewed in connection with that investigation. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I was driving on 35 mph road and first got a notification to service charging system, vehicle may stall, with the battery light on. Less than a mile after an alarm went off non stop stating engine overheating shut vehicle down immediately. Roadside mechanic came and discovered the serpentine belt failed. I have 1,100 miles on this car.

Currently receiving it's 4th engine (it has shut down on me while driving down the road, twice) onstar module has been replaced, radiator has been replaced (I think twice), sway bar has been replaced, front suspension problems multiple times (I don't remember all of them), coolant leak, for some reason eats up front tires in about 10k miles and nobody can explain why (discount tire says they have never seen anything like it), flashes error codes on me constantly. This has all been going on since I bought the car in October of 2022. I keep taking it in and they "fix" it and then send me on my way only for me to end up right back where we started.

Engine was replaced at 70,000 miles by warranty by gm and now at 110,000 miles as in the new engine has the engine is given the same issue again.

On August 17, 2026, at approximately 96,685 miles, my 2024 Cadillac Escalade esv equipped with the 6. 2l l87 v8 engine lost motive power while I was driving on highway 101 in California. The vehicle stalled, I pulled over, and I was unable to restart it. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed a seized engine that would not rotate, with metal contamination in the oil system and internal engine damage caused by a failed bearing. During teardown, the dealer specifically documented that the rod bearing failed and caused the engine seizure. This vehicle had previously received the gm l87 engine recall remedy on August 11, 2025, at approximately 47,987 miles. The dealer documented that the required picoscope test passed and that the vehicle was operating normally at that time. The engine failure occurred approximately 48,698 miles after the recall remedy. Gm subsequently replaced the engine under warranty. I am reporting this as a safety-related loss-of-motive-power event because the engine failed while the vehicle was traveling on a major highway and could not be restarted. I request that NHTSA consider this incident in connection with recall 25v-274 and recall query rq26001 and evaluate whether the recall remedy adequately identifies l87 engines that remain at risk of subsequent failure.

The engine in our Escalade is starting to fail. Our Cadillac dealer did their voluntary recall on our Escalade at around 15,000 miles. This included a "pico" listening forgot knock, and once it passed that test they drained the previously factory recommended 0w-20, and re filled with the now recommended 0w-40 with a filter change, and oil fill cap replacement that has 0w-40 printed in it. At around 20,000 miles, on August 16th my father in law and I performed the next oil change. My father in law has been a master technician owning his own automotive shop for almost 40 years. I used to work as a machinist, machining, building and dynoing engines. I cut open the oil filter after the oil change to inspect it, and there were flakes of bearing material throughout the filter media. I packaged all the parts of the oil filter up in a ziploc bag, and took it to my Cadillac dealer the next day August 17th. I talked to, and showed a few people there the bearing material in the filter, ending in the service manager. The service manager agreed that there is something wrong with the engine, and that there shouldnt be metal in the oil filter. But he stated that the voluntary recall that they have for the engine only comes into effect if it fails the pico test, or the engine fails, not if the engine is beginning to fail. He said he would talk to his boss, and an engineer attached to the recall, to see if there was anything else they could do. He said he would call me later in the day. He called me later and said that both people he talked to said there was nothing that Cadillac could do until it has outward symptoms of a failing engine (knock) or it totally fails. Now we have a new vehicle that my wife is afraid to take anywhere because its failing Cadillac knows about it, and won't do anything about it.

The engine is knocking between 10-30 mph and over 50 mph. The forward collision light lights up. This is the third time this has happened. I am very concern it will stall on me at high speeds.

On xxx I had been driving my vehicle with no issues. I had drove from [xxx] to [xxx]. My vehicle had no warnings or issues prior and my vehicle has been properly cared for and all oil and maintenance has been done through the Cadillac dealership in [xxx]. On my way to [xxx] I stopped at the local gas station and filled my gas tank fully up, when I started my vehicle there was a horrible sound and my car began to shake and all the electronics began coming up. I went to work less than 5 minutes down the road and the vehicle was horrible acting. I called my husband and began thinking maybe I had put bad gas in the vehicle because like I mentioned earlier there was nothing wrong with my vehicle prior to this. We contacted the dealership in [xxx] and they told us to bring the vehicle in, I had to drive my car back to [xxx] where I was petrified my vehicle was going to blow up or just die in the road. I made it to the dealership and explained what happened and that I thought it was bad gas, they let me know they would look at the vehicle and let us know. They contacted my husband later in the day and let him know the good news was that it was not bad gas, unfortunately my engine blew up. He said my engine has done what the recall engines have been doing, unfortunately my vehicle is not in the recall and that it would be $12,000. 00 to fix it. When my husband called me, I had him three way the dealership and explained we have taken very good care of our vehicle with all maintenance and oil changes done there. He explained to me that it was nothing we could have done and I wanted to know why then the engine blew without warning and he continued to explain it was like the other vehicles in a recall. He kindly explained that there was nothing he could do but we could try and contact gm if we could get ahold of them and we could file a complaint reguarding our vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Driving on a major interstate and the vehicle started knocking and losing acceleration, shaking terribly at a slow down/stop, lights on dash engaged, check engine, auto hold, service stabilitrak. Determination was a engine bearing went bad which contaminated the oil and other parts.

The truck drives rough feels like I hit something while driving and slows down while driving high speed. Every time I take to the dealership they don’t see anything wrong with it. I’m not the only one with this issue a lot of people with this same 2023 Escalade esv have the the same problem. I want the problem fixed it’s not fair that I have to deal with this. I paid a lot of money for my truck and work hard for it.

I was driving and the vehicle stopped accelerating and the gear was in neutral. I pulled over and turned the car off then attempted to turn it on, but it would not turn over. All electrical was on, but the car would not start. This same thing happened two days prior twice within 10 min. Of each other, but I was able to start the car those times. Due to the speed suddenly declining and being unable to accelerate on a two lane road with cars behind me; it could have caused a serious accident. It has not yet been confirmed by a dealer, but this is a known recall for this vehicle that was listed as complete prior. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. The first noted incident happened on 8/10/26.

2021 Cadillac Escalade esv equipped with l87 6. 2l v8, subject to NHTSA recall 25v-274 / gm n252494000. The recall inspection was completed and the vehicle passed, so gm performed the 0w-40 higher-viscosity-oil remedy rather than engine replacement. The vehicle has a history of unexplained oil loss with no obvious external leak, including a prior low-oil warning. At a recent oil change after approximately 5,000 miles, no oil registered on the dipstick before service. The engine was then filled to the full mark. Using the same repeatable checking method, the level was approximately 3/4 at 227 miles and approximately 1/2 at 1,300 miles. I am concerned that a progressive internal engine condition may not have been detected by the recall inspection and that the oil-only remedy may be inadequate. Nhtsa currently has recall query rq26001 open regarding engine failures after recall 25v-274 remedies. I am also concerned because gm special coverage n252494003 excludes an engine presenting with low/no oil as neglect even if unresolved mechanical oil consumption caused the low level. I am requesting this complaint be associated with recall 25v-274 and rq26001. Please advise. I just bought the car less than a year ago and can’t a new engine.

My 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv with the 6. 2l l87 engine received the remedy for safety recall 25v-274 (gm recall number n252494001) on July 30, 2025. The dealer inspected the engine, passed it, and performed the higher viscosity oil remedy. The engine was not repaired or replaced. On [date], while driving, the vehicle hesitated and lost power under acceleration. Engine noise then increased progressively until I pulled over on the side of the road. The engine stopped running and would not restart. The dash displayed a message to press the start button again. The check engine light illuminated at the time of failure. There were no warning lights prior to that day. My family, including my children, were in the vehicle when it lost power. We were stranded on the roadside until the vehicle could be towed. The battery and electrical system are functioning normally, but the engine would not start. The vehicle was towed to a Cadillac dealership. At the dealership, a start attempt produced a loud knocking noise from the engine along with a fuel/oil odor. I believe the connecting rod bearings have failed. These symptoms — hesitation, loss of power, and knocking noise — are the exact pre-failure indicators gm identified in recall 25v-274. This was a loss of motive power while driving on a public roadway, creating a serious crash risk for my family and surrounding traffic. The recall remedy performed on this vehicle was inadequate. Gm inspected this engine, passed it, and it failed approximately one year later in exactly the manner the recall was intended to prevent. Date of incident: 08/08/2026 mileage at failure: 66,000 recall remedy completed: July 30, 2025 vehicle was towed. No crash, fire, or injury occurred.

In August of 2025 my Escalade went t the dealership to perform the engine recall test. It passed the test and the oil change fix was completed. However, within weeks or so the engine began to experience some issues. It was taken back to the dealership and a full engine replacement was performed. Fast forward to the beginning of August 2026. The new engine is experience the same symptoms as before. Flashing engine light, rough idle, loss of power, and excessive gas consumption, knocking, etc. I took the car to the dealership and this is the service advisors message to me about the car: "cylinders one and six are causing the misfires, he sent some information to our technical assistance center because the cylinders walls do not show a lot of damages but, like I said before it was low in oil with no present oil leaks. He has to capture some freeze frame data for technical assistance and send in so it has to be driven some more. They want it driven over some miles. They will determine if we replace the engine or not, I may not have an update from them until Monday. They do not work on saturdays and josh your technician has to perform all of the test they sent over. A lot of the extra testing has come from this possibly being the second engine that could go in the vehicle. The car remained for about 2 weeks and gm refuses to pay for a new engine until because there isnt enough data. Meanwhile I am stuck driving a car that can seize up and leave me at any time. They also refused to buy back or help me into another vehicle without coming all out of pocket on my end.

I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade from autonation Cadillac west palm beach on July 27, 2026. At only approximately 375 miles, the vehicle developed serious engine/drivability problems and front/rear bumper alignment defects. The Escalade began shaking/stuttering, hesitating, experiencing inconsistent power, and making an abnormal knocking-type noise. The check-engine light illuminated. I took the vehicle to delray Cadillac, where technicians found a cylinder 4 misfire and ultimately determined the problem involved the cylinder 4 lifter system. The repair required substantial internal engine work on an essentially brand-new vehicle. Cadillac replaced eight lifters, along with associated gaskets, bolts, guides, and related components. The engine was opened for the repair, and the technician inspected the camshaft/cam lobes and related valvetrain components before reassembly and testing. After receiving the vehicle back, I still notice abnormal power delivery. At approximately 45–55 mph, the engine intermittently hesitates and feels as though it struggles to maintain steady power, even though the check-engine light is currently off. This concerns me because major internal engine work was already required at only about 375 miles. The vehicle also has visible front and rear bumper alignment problems. The rear bumper protrudes outward instead of sitting flush with the body, and the front bumper also appears misaligned. These issues were reported to Cadillac. I am reporting this because a new vehicle requiring major valvetrain/engine repair at approximately 375 miles, followed by continued hesitation and inconsistent power, may present a safety risk during acceleration, merging, or highway driving.

My engine locked up with only 9k miles on it. Left me stranded in 109 degree heat. Had it towed to local dealer over 3 weeks ago they determined engine was bad and ordered new engine from gm but the engine is on back order. I need gm to buy my vehicle back so I can replace it I have nothing to drive.

Total engine failure. Had to replace entire engine. Crank shaft issue. We had just returned from vacation and could have been stranded miles away. Willis Cadillac in iowa replaced the engine. No warning light whatsoever. Immediate failure upon turning the car on.

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.

Engine failed while driving down the highway at speed. Just shut off. Very dangerous. No power had to pull over. Vehicle would not start agin. Said low oil pressure. Had it towed to the dealership. Complete engine failure and had to have the motor replaced. After replacement engine still does not feel right and transmission acts up as well. Complete piece of junk for how expensive these vehicles are. Scary, dangerous and do not trust this vehicle anymore. Stuck with an unsafe piece of junk that's unreliable. Please help. New motor is exactly the same as the other one so it's going to fail again. It stays at the dealership instead of my driveway. People are getting screwed. Some kind of compensation needs to be done for us with these issues. Completely unfair.

The motor started making a ticking noise, then when we came to a stop, the motor died. I was able to get it started and get us home. As we made it home, the noise began to get worse. The next morning I planned to take it to the dealership. The car started and I began to drive. We entered the freeway and as traffic picked up, we came to a stop on the freeway. The engine died again. I was able to start it one more time and cotinued on until we got to the exit the dealership is on. At this point the car died again and we were unable to get it started. It left us stranded on the offramp. Car needed to be towed to dealership where it was discovered the engine had failed. Cadillac replaced the engine with a new one. This happened at 7100 miles.

Complete engine failure in 2026 Cadillac Escalade sport platinum with 3100 miles.

Bad motor.