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U.S. public vehicle records

2025 Cadillac ESCALADE: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

20 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

12,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 20 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting525.0%
Braking behavior315.0%
Electrical and battery issues315.0%
Engine operation210.0%
Steering behavior210.0%

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.

Engine
12
Electrical System
6
Power Train
2
Service Brakes
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine12
Electrical System6
Power Train2
Service Brakes2
Unknown Or Other2
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Exterior Lighting1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking1

Engine: 12; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 3; 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 (3). 17 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.

2025
5
2026
15
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20255
202615

2025: 5; 2026: 15

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 11637331 · 2025-01-21 (January 21, 2025)

Was on the interstate driving 75 mph, with my daughter, her friend, my wife. And the car cut off, and dealership said engine locked. 45 minutes prior i was on a snowy mountain road, and this vehicle has 939 miles on it, one month old. Now i am reading about the investigation, and feel this is negligence on gmc. This could have been a disaster and life changing for me. I dont care if its a 75k vehicle or 135k like mine, this is dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the vehicle is currently at the dealership! Told my wife to start recordi…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11637331 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11637362 · 2025-01-21 (January 21, 2025)

The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 77 MPH in the left lane, the vehicle lost motive power and shut down. The driver was able to move to the right lane and pulled over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called OnStar for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about a…

Owner-reported narrative. 953 miles reported. Look up ODI 11637362 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11651929 · 2025-03-31 (March 31, 2025)

Purchased this vehicle brand new ( 3 miles ), just before Christmas 2024, from Bill Cramer Chevrolet in Panama City FL. We just hit the 7200 mile mark and took vehicle in for 1st service with 10% or so remaining on the oil indicator. This is my wife’s vehicle, so I do not drive nor hear it crank in the morning, or come home in afternoons very often. Since the service I noticed yesterday the engine sounding “different” than from initial purchase. Didn’t think much of it, just figured a new gizmo or gadget doing its thing that we weren’t aware of…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11651929 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11695455 · 2025-10-24 (October 24, 2025)

Component/system that failed; availability for inspection GM 6.2-liter V8 (L87) gasoline engine and cooling system. At ~4,000 miles the engine suffered a catastrophic internal failure and the radiator failed concurrently. Dealer diagnosed “engine failure” and replaced the entire long block with an OEM unit and replaced the radiator. Repair orders and the vehicle are available for inspection at the selling/servicing Cadillac dealership; I can provide copies on request. How safety was put at risk The vehicle lost normal operation unexpectedly an…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11695455 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11705216 · 2025-12-15 (December 15, 2025)

Vehicle showed error on the dash for all various systems. It told me those systems required service. I parked the truck and it locked me out of it. OnStar could not open the doors, they kept telling me the truck was unlocked. My app could not open the doors. I called roadside and they showed me how to remove the cover on drive side handle and insert the manual key. The lock turned but the vehicle would not unlock due to the automatic doors. We had to insert an airbag and Jimmy open the door by hooking the interior door handle. The issue is this…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11705216 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11708250 · 2026-01-01 (January 1, 2026)

On Tuesday, [XXX] at approximately [XXX], my 2025 Cadillac Escalade (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a sudden and complete failure of multiple critical safety and control systems while in motion. My wife was driving downhill toward a stoplight with our two toddlers in the vehicle when the incident occurred. Without warning, all dashboard alerts illuminated simultaneously, including brake, engine, collision, and steering warnings. At the same time, the vehicle lost braking capability, power steering assist, electronic gear shifting, and emergency brak…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11708250 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11710385 · 2026-01-12 (January 12, 2026)

I am reporting serious and repeated safety defects involving loss of vehicle control in my 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum. The vehicle has experienced multiple incidents of uncommanded braking (“phantom braking”) while driving at approximately 45 mph with no driver input and no obstacles present. The vehicle has also slammed on the brakes while reversing into a parking space, then became locked and would not move until shifted into PARK and reset, leaving me stuck in the roadway. In another incident, while stopped at a traffic light wi…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11710385 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11713031 · 2026-01-23 (January 23, 2026)

I PURCHASED A 2025 CADILLAC ESCALADE IN APRIL 2025 AND IGOT 9300 MILES AND THE LIFTER NOISE IS LIKE TYPE WRITER THAT SPEEDS UP WITH ACCELERATION AND THE TAPING IS LOUD I CAN NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11713031 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 ↗