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2025 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.
10
Latest Jun 23, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 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

  • Engine533.3%
  • Driver assistance320.0%
  • Powertrain (other)213.3%
  • Electrical213.3%
  • Exterior lighting16.7%
  • Suspension16.7%
  • Visibility16.7%

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 23, 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 · filed May 29, 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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 29, 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 · filed Apr 24, 2026

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

Powertrain (other)

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

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 29, 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 GM authorized mechanics. 5. None at all on warning lamps, messages etc

NHTSA ID 11712345 · filed Jan 21, 2026

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

Electrical

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

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 data bus; a failure in these primary command modules creates a high risk of a "cascading failure" that could spread to the 55-inch pillar-to-pillar main instrument cluster, potentially disabling the speedometer and safety warnings while the vehicle is in motion. ​Describe the Safety Risk (How this could cause an accident): The total failure of these center consoles creates the following immediate hazards: ​Loss of Visibility (Defroster/Defogger): There is no physical button to activate the windshield defogger. If the windshield fogs over due to humidity or temperature changes while driving, I have no way to clear it. This creates an immediate "driving blind" situation, which is an extreme safety risk at any speed. ​Occupant Entrapment & Security: The controls for power door locks, window lockouts, and child safety locks are digital and hosted on these failed screens. In an emergency, I cannot verify or manage the locking status of the vehicle, posing a risk to passengers (especially children in the rear). ​Driver Distraction & System Instability: The failure of these core modules causes significant system instability. Because these nodes are linked to the main 55-inch driving display via the serial data gateway, an electrical short or data loop in the center consoles could cause the main speedometer and driver assistance alerts to freeze or black out without warning.

NHTSA ID 11726430 · filed Mar 23, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID 11653610 · filed Apr 9, 2025

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 13, 2026

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

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 vehicle to get gas. It felt like something mechanical wasn't working in the suspension. I dropped it back off at the dealership Monday 23 February. I picked up the vehicle later that day and the same error popped up again. We then gave it back to the dealership on the 24th of February to resolve and they kept if for over a week and were unable to determine root cause of the issue as of 2 March. The error code was reset by the dealership and was told to notify them again if it happens a third time. I believe there is a software issue that is causing problems with the adaptive air ride suspension.

NHTSA ID 11721733 · filed Mar 3, 2026

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 data bus; a failure in these primary command modules creates a high risk of a "cascading failure" that could spread to the 55-inch pillar-to-pillar main instrument cluster, potentially disabling the speedometer and safety warnings while the vehicle is in motion. ​Describe the Safety Risk (How this could cause an accident): The total failure of these center consoles creates the following immediate hazards: ​Loss of Visibility (Defroster/Defogger): There is no physical button to activate the windshield defogger. If the windshield fogs over due to humidity or temperature changes while driving, I have no way to clear it. This creates an immediate "driving blind" situation, which is an extreme safety risk at any speed. ​Occupant Entrapment & Security: The controls for power door locks, window lockouts, and child safety locks are digital and hosted on these failed screens. In an emergency, I cannot verify or manage the locking status of the vehicle, posing a risk to passengers (especially children in the rear). ​Driver Distraction & System Instability: The failure of these core modules causes significant system instability. Because these nodes are linked to the main 55-inch driving display via the serial data gateway, an electrical short or data loop in the center consoles could cause the main speedometer and driver assistance alerts to freeze or black out without warning.

NHTSA ID 11726430 · filed Mar 23, 2026

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 .