2025 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
12,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 13 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 7 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Engine: 7; Power Train: 4; Electrical System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: 1; Lane Departure: Warning: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2025: 1; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11653610 · 2025-04-09 (April 9, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function properly and turn on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 5,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11653610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712345 · 2026-01-21 (January 21, 2026)
1. 6.2L Gasoline Engine.Vehicle available and has been in the shop at least 6 documented times. The 2025 was not part of the recall. GM refuses to tell me if the known engine problems of the recall was fixed on my engine prior to building and delivering the vehicle 2. Engine continues to knock and studder sometimes as if it will shut down. 3. Initial knocking confirmed and mechanics changed our lifters. Problem still exist but GM engineers now say, “operating as designed. Fear for my life and my families life. Can’t trust it. 4. Yes, by…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11721733 · 2026-03-03 (March 3, 2026)
My 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV went into the dealership for routine maintenance and several software updates were applied to vehicle along with an oil and filter change on 17 February. The software took multiple times to load and I took the vehicle home on 20 February. Later that day after picking up my children from school an error popped up on the dash that stated Service Leveling System and Vehicle Too Low Drive with Caution. Shortly after on the way home the ride height system made a crunching noise after I parked and got out of the vehic…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11726430 · 2026-03-23 (March 23, 2026)
Component(s) Involved: Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper, Structure: Body: Door: Power Access/Locks. Description of the Defect: The front and rear center console "Command Centers" (touchscreens) have suffered a total electrical failure and are completely black. On the 2025 Escalade, these screens have replaced nearly all physical buttons. Consequently, there is no manual override or physical backup for the safety and visibility systems hosted on these modules. The vehicle's Global B (VIP) electronic architecture uses a shared high-speed dat…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11726430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11727950 · 2026-03-30 (March 30, 2026)
While driving at approximately 40 MPH there was a loud pop and the panorama sunroof shattered. There were other cars traveling at the same speed or less, but nothing struck the vehicle to cause the glass to shatter. The glass did not immediately give way, but had it, there were passengers that would have been impacted. The roof was inspected by the dealership but is no longer available for inspection as the dealership could not provide a loaner or rental vehicle. There was no warning. The temperature was mild. This is not about the repair …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11727950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11730621 · 2026-04-12 (April 12, 2026)
My engine started to make noise so I took it in for service and was told by Cadillac service it was a blown piston rod and it required a full engine replacement.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11730621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11733619 · 2026-04-24 (April 24, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor failed to function as intended. The contact stated that while driving behind another vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to alert the contact of the vehicle ahead or enable the braking system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was provided with DTC: U023E. In addition, the contact was informed that further inspe…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11733619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11737669 · 2026-05-13 (May 13, 2026)
The headlights on our 25 Escalade started to fail. They basically became more and more dim to the point it looks like the Daytime running lights are on at night instead of the headlights. When we took it into the dealer to get checked they stated it was a known issue. Apparently it’s such a large issue that one of the headlights is back ordered with no timeline. This seems like a serious safety issue that customers were not being warned about.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11737669 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
26V304000 · Wheels:Hub
Reported: 2026-05-14 (May 14, 2026)
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.
Consequence: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 14, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗