2025 Cadillac Escalade Esv

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V-274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. Additionally, ODI has received 191 reports of L87 engine failures in engines produced after the production period cited in Recall 25V-274. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysisto continue investigating complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is expanding the scope of this Investigation to include engines produced after the production period cited in the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Second screen in my 2025 Cadillac Escalade burned my daughter at 158 degrees.

NHTSA ID

11759226

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID

11759107

Incident

Aug 21, 2026

Car was driving fine, randomly at 10k miles, the car started turning off. Thank god I had reached my house before it died out on me. I called the Cadillac dealer and brought it in. Apparently a plug was fusing, which caused a shortage to the engine.

NHTSA ID

11758844

Incident

Feb 26, 2026

In August 2025 I purchased a brand new 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV Sport Platinum. Purchase Price $155,000. I maintained the car to the highest level possible since taking ownership. The total miles put on the car between August 2025 and May 2026 was 6,142. On May 14, 2026 at approx. 8am EST I was driving the car southbound on Alternate AIA (going from my house to my office). As the car was approaching the intersection of Alternate AIA and Hood Road the engine stopped running and turned off. The Car rolled to a stop and the dashboard displayed a message of "please push the start button". The electronics of the car were fully functional, the dashboard was on and I was able to roll the windows up and down, however when I would hit the start button on the car the engine would not turn on. The car could not be placed in neutral because the engine would not turn on, so the car was immobile in the middle of Alternate AIA (a 6 lane road) during peak morning rush hour. I was forced to call roadside service and have the car towed to Cadillac of West Palm Beach, the same dealership that I purchased the car from 9 months earlier. I got myself down to the Cadillac dealership at the same time as the car got there on the morning of 5/14/26. I checked the car in with the service department and explained the issue to them. I specifically asked if this is a known Engine issue with Cadillac Escalades, and they told me they have never seen this happen, ever (from my googling it appears this is infact a known issue, I think there is currently an ongoing NHTSA investigation into catastrophic engine failures affecting certain Cadillacs. The probe targets GM's L87 6.2-liter V8 engine, which can suddenly seize or lose propulsion due to manufacturing defects in the connecting rods and crankshafts). They said they would have a service tech look at the car for me A week later I was told the engine was dead and the car needed a full engine replacement.

NHTSA ID

11745971

Incident

May 14, 2026

My 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV lost power and shut down while I was driving on the highway. The gas pedal stopped responding, and the vehicle would not restart afterward. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion while driving in traffic. The vehicle is less than one year old and is already going to be on its third engine. The original engine was already replaced once before. The previous replacement engine was a brand-new GM engine with 0 miles, but it failed after only about 20,000 miles. Pepe Cadillac confirmed that this is the second replacement engine, which means the third engine counting the original engine. The dealer also confirmed that the engine locked up due to internal bearing material failure and needs to be replaced again. The repair order number is 140134. I am concerned this is a serious safety-related engine defect. A brand-new GM replacement engine should not lock up after only about 22,000 miles, especially while driving on the highway. I am also concerned that simply replacing the engine again may not fully address the safety and reliability issue with this vehicle. Cadillac Customer Care case number: 100539041.

NHTSA ID

11740929

Incident

May 23, 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.

NHTSA ID

11737669

Incident

May 4, 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 inspection was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,400.

NHTSA ID

11733619

Incident

Apr 17, 2026

Mileage

20,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11730621

Incident

Mar 31, 2026

The Rear Camera Mirror display may appear angled downward. Investigation found that an aftermarket or dealer-installed rear license plate frame can contact the license plate lamp applique, pushing the applique upward and skewing the camera display angle. Remove or reposition the interfering frame, verify proper applique seating, and confirm the Rear Camera Mirror display is correctly aligned.

If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path before replacing the Image processing module.

This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a radio or IPC display

This preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips for air leveling suspension system.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that GM is aware of the issue and the vehicle can still be driven. When a repair is available, this PI will be updated.