RoadVitals

2022 Cadillac Escalade Esv Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
56
Latest Sep 15, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2022 Cadillac Escalade Esv, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

45
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On XXX, at approximately 6:30 AM, I was driving my Cadillac Escalade ESV when the vehicle suddenly and completely lost engine power while I was traveling on the roadway. The engine stopped without any warning.There were no warning lights, warning messages, unusual noises, or other indications that an engine failure was about to occur. The loss of propulsion was sudden and unexpected.I was barely able to maneuver approximately half of the vehicle onto the shoulder. A significant portion of the vehicle remained in the roadway, creating a serious safety hazard to me and other motorists. I was forced to remain in this dangerous position for approximately two hours while waiting for a tow truck.The vehicle was towed to Richland Motors in Roswell, New Mexico. The dealership diagnosed the engine as seized and determined that the engine requires replacement. I have been informed that a replacement engine is currently unavailable/on backorder, and I have not been provided with a definite date when the vehicle will be repaired.This incident is particularly concerning because the vehicle had already received the L87 engine recall repair at the dealership on XXX. The recall repair was completed approximately five months before this catastrophic engine failure. As part of the service performed at that time, the engine oil was changed to 0W-40.The vehicle subsequently experienced a complete engine failure and sudden loss of propulsion while being driven, despite having already undergone the recall repair. The most significant safety concern is the sudden loss of propulsion without any warning. There was no opportunity for me to recognize an impending engine failure and safely pull off the roadway before the engine stopped. I was fortunate to be able to get part of the vehicle onto the shoulder, but the vehicle remained partially in the roadway for approximately two hours while awaiting assistance.am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this.

NHTSA ID 11764354 · filed Sep 15, 2026

My wife's 2022 Cadillac Escalade was recalled for possible engine failure. The vehicle passed the recommended engine inspection procedure; new weight oil was installed, and I was assured that the Cadillac was safe to drive. Yesterday, while driving my family home from the children's playground, the engine failed as I was driving at the posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour. There was no warning of any kind, the engine just stopped working. I had to cross over the northbound lanes of traffic, with other vehicles, in theory, going the posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour, WITHOUT ENGINE POWER. While coasting the vehicle and my family to safety, I barely missing going down an embankment. The only reason there was not a crash is the fact that I was a professional driver and former driving instructor. This was a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation and has to be investigated.

NHTSA ID 11763876 · filed Sep 13, 2026
All 45 reports naming engine →

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11759502 · filed Aug 25, 2026

Subject: Safety Complaint – 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Transmission Failure After Recall Repair To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. VIN: [XXX] My vehicle experienced a serious transmission malfunction where the vehicle would not properly engage in reverse. The “R” gear indicator blinked multiple times, and the vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to operate. Cadillac dealership diagnostics later confirmed issues related to the transmission valve body and/or transmission control components. After researching this issue, I discovered that GM and NHTSA issued Recall No. 26V085000 regarding transmission control valve body wear in certain 2022 Cadillac Escalade vehicles equipped with the 10-speed transmission. The major concern is that my vehicle had already received the recall/software update before this failure occurred. Despite completing the recall remedy, the exact transmission problem still happened. I never received any warning before the failure. I was forced to spend significant time and money dealing with towing, dealership visits, diagnostics, and transportation disruption for my family. This raises serious concerns that the recall software update does not actually resolve the underlying mechanical defect within the transmission valve body. For a luxury SUV of this value and age, this type of major transmission failure is unacceptable and creates a serious safety concern. I request a full investigation into why the recall remedy failed, confirmation of all recall work completed on my VIN, and extended warranty coverage for the transmission and related drivetrain components. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11737485 · filed May 13, 2026
All 12 reports naming powertrain (other) →

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On February 21, 2026, my 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a sudden and complete engine seizure at highway speed at 57,825 miles just 8,613 miles after passing GM's PicoScope inspection under Safety Recall N252494000 (NHTSA Campaign 25V274). After fueling, I entered a highway on-ramp and accelerated to approximately 70 mph. Within 30 seconds, the engine lost power completely with no prior warning lights, no diagnostic trouble codes, and no audible warning. The only dashboard notification was a prompt to press the Start button. The vehicle behaved as if shifted into neutral, decelerating rapidly from 70 mph to 40 mph while I was navigating an exit merge ramp. I reached the right shoulder safely. Under normal weekday traffic, this failure on an active merge ramp could have caused a serious collision. The engine would not restart. The vehicle would not shift out of Park. OnStar could not remotely start the vehicle. A tow truck was dispatched; the operator could not shift the vehicle to neutral and required a dolly. The dealership confirmed the engine had seized and the engine would not crank. A complete engine replacement was performed under the recall warranty (RO 606490). The recall remedy was performed August 20, 2025 at 49,212 miles. GM records confirm the PicoScope result: "Engine Passed." The engine seized 8,613 miles later with no warning. This is consistent with 30-plus NHTSA complaints reporting loss of propulsion after the prior remedy, and demonstrates the inspection-based remedy is insufficient to identify engines at imminent risk of seizure.

NHTSA ID 11724245 · filed Mar 13, 2026

MY 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP CENTRAL HOUSTON CADILLAC [XXX] MY ENGINE RECALL IS OUT AND STOP WORKING ! THE 150,000 MILE WARRANTY IS NOT GETTING UPHELD BY GENRAL MOTORS ! I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY CASE IS DENIED ! GENERAL MOTORS GIVE ME A CASE NUMBER XXX [XXX] ! GENERAL MOTORS IS SCAMMING THE RECALL REFUSING TOO DRIVE REPLACE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS THEY KNEW WAS HAPPENING! BIG STAR CADILLAC DEALERSHIP STATED MY ENGINE REPAIRS WAS FIX WITH OIL REPLACEMENT SERVICE ! THAT WAS NOT TRUE AND IS FALSE STATEMENT! RIGHT NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE! I NEED MY NEW ENGINE NOW ! THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11709004 · filed Jan 6, 2026
All 8 reports naming fuel system →

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Transmission shifts to neutral on the highway with speed of 65 on the left most lane with no shoulder parking available. Huge safety hazard. Also happened when stopping at the stop sign when taking it to safe location. Transmission failing.

NHTSA ID 11728991 · filed Apr 3, 2026

MY 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP CENTRAL HOUSTON CADILLAC [XXX] MY ENGINE RECALL IS OUT AND STOP WORKING ! THE 150,000 MILE WARRANTY IS NOT GETTING UPHELD BY GENRAL MOTORS ! I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY CASE IS DENIED ! GENERAL MOTORS GIVE ME A CASE NUMBER XXX [XXX] ! GENERAL MOTORS IS SCAMMING THE RECALL REFUSING TOO DRIVE REPLACE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS THEY KNEW WAS HAPPENING! BIG STAR CADILLAC DEALERSHIP STATED MY ENGINE REPAIRS WAS FIX WITH OIL REPLACEMENT SERVICE ! THAT WAS NOT TRUE AND IS FALSE STATEMENT! RIGHT NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE! I NEED MY NEW ENGINE NOW ! THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11709004 · filed Jan 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle acts like it wants to cut off, and when the lane driving assistance option is activated, it will jump lanes and almost cause an accident.

NHTSA ID 11669878 · filed Jun 28, 2025

At the end of 2024, the GPS, OnStar, and telematics system in my vehicle stopped working completely. This failure disabled critical features including navigation, emergency support (OnStar), and Super Cruise. I was living in California at the time and contacted local service providers, but was told the necessary mobile phone control module was unavailable. After relocating to Texas, I took the vehicle to Covert Cadillac in Austin. The dealership confirmed the issue and ordered the part, but after several months and multiple follow-ups, the part has still not arrived. As of June 2025, the vehicle remains unrepaired, and I continue to drive without GPS or emergency support. The dashboard displays a constant GPS error. This issue, now lasting over 6 months, puts my safety and the safety of my passengers at risk—especially during long-distance travel and unfamiliar routes. The dealership has acknowledged the problem but cannot resolve it due to ongoing parts unavailability and lack of response from the manufacturer. This is a serious and unresolved safety defect. I am requesting an immediate investigation into GM/Cadillac's failure to provide timely service, support, or resolution for a vehicle-dependent safety system.

NHTSA ID 11667581 · filed Jun 17, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I heard a weird noise from the steering wheel and when I took it to the dealership, they inspected it and found out that the steering gear mead to be replaced after only 2 months from purchasing the vehicle ( it has only 1200 miles on it ) . They said they can’t offer me another vehicle until they fix this problem which per them will take about 2 weeks to replace it and they had me to pick up the vehicle in the mean time . I don’t know what to do ?? I don’t feel safe driving it even after they fix this issue because for me, that means that they didn’t do the required inspection before releasing the vehicle from the manufacture

NHTSA ID 11482779 · filed Sep 3, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .