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2026 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 Sep 22, 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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 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

  • Engine1058.8%
  • Electrical317.6%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

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.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle Issues / Defects 1. Damaged Passenger Entertainment Screen at Delivery The passenger-side entertainment screen was damaged when the truck was delivered. The damage was present from the time the vehicle was received and was not caused by the owner. 2. Engine Failure at Approximately 7,000 Miles The vehicle suffered a complete engine failure at approximately 7,000 miles. Given the extremely low mileage, this represents a significant mechanical failure very early in the vehicle’s service life. These issues should be documented as part of the vehicle’s warranty and service history, including all repair orders, photographs, dates the vehicle was unavailable for use, and communications with the dealer/manufacturer.

NHTSA ID 11766248 · filed Sep 22, 2026

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, at approximately 10:38am, my wife was driving our 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Sport (VIN 1GYS9RKL8TR113098, ~9,000 miles) with multiple young children in the vehicle. The vehicle began making loud clicking noises and lost power at a busy intersection, with no prior warning lights or messages; the clicking was the only symptom before the sudden loss of power. She maneuvered it partially off the road; it would not restart. She removed the children onto the roadside while managing a disabled vehicle in active traffic, creating real risk of a secondary collision. I arrived at 11:00am and tried to restart it, including adding fuel, with no success, only intermittent clicking and no start. A jump start was attempted before AAA arrived. AAA arrived at 1:16pm, inspected the vehicle, and confirmed the battery and fuse boxes were fine and not the cause. OnStar was also contacted. The vehicle was towed at 2:37pm to Camargo Cadillac, our dealer. I contacted the dealership the next morning. On September 9, their service department confirmed the engine had failed internally and requires full replacement, a diagnosis made by the authorized dealer, not merely suspected by me. The failed engine remains at the dealership, unremoved, and is available for inspection upon request. I've opened Case #SR:110162786 with Cadillac Customer Assistance; I am not aware of a direct GM factory-level inspection yet. At approximately 9,000 miles and roughly nine months of ownership, this vehicle suffered a total, sudden engine failure with no advance warning, stranding my family in traffic. This engine (L87, 6.2L V8) is subject to a prior recall (25V-274) on 2021-2024 Escalades for related crankshaft and connecting rod defects, and NHTSA has since opened investigation EA26005, extending to 2025 and 2026 model year vehicles due to continued reported failures. I'm submitting this to add my vehicle's experience to that federal safety record.

NHTSA ID 11765484 · filed Sep 19, 2026
All 10 reports naming engine →

Electrical

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

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle Issues / Defects 1. Damaged Passenger Entertainment Screen at Delivery The passenger-side entertainment screen was damaged when the truck was delivered. The damage was present from the time the vehicle was received and was not caused by the owner. 2. Engine Failure at Approximately 7,000 Miles The vehicle suffered a complete engine failure at approximately 7,000 miles. Given the extremely low mileage, this represents a significant mechanical failure very early in the vehicle’s service life. These issues should be documented as part of the vehicle’s warranty and service history, including all repair orders, photographs, dates the vehicle was unavailable for use, and communications with the dealer/manufacturer.

NHTSA ID 11766248 · filed Sep 22, 2026

At 9,000 miles the engine on my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV started knocking and the dealership replaced it. They did not provide a loaner or a rental vehicle for the time the vehicle was at the shop. After the replacement, the new engine sounds the same and will probably needs replacing as well. After the fix I started getting electrical issues my rear right signal and taillight started acting up. Sometimes the rear signal doesn't work and another times the rear right taillight would stay on after turning the vehicle off and locking it.

NHTSA ID 11760228 · filed Aug 28, 2026

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

Fuel system

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Engine lost power on steep grade hill with kids in the car on our way to Tahoe putting us all at risk

NHTSA ID 11721226 · filed Mar 1, 2026

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

At 9,000 miles the engine on my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV started knocking and the dealership replaced it. They did not provide a loaner or a rental vehicle for the time the vehicle was at the shop. After the replacement, the new engine sounds the same and will probably needs replacing as well. After the fix I started getting electrical issues my rear right signal and taillight started acting up. Sometimes the rear signal doesn't work and another times the rear right taillight would stay on after turning the vehicle off and locking it.

NHTSA ID 11760228 · filed Aug 28, 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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

On June 18, 2026, while my nearly new 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV was being driven on the Ohio Turnpike, the vehicle unexpectedly entered reduced-power or limp mode, lost propulsion, shut off, and would not restart. The vehicle had approximately 2,234 miles. The sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred in active highway traffic and created a serious risk of a collision. The vehicle had to be towed from the Ohio Turnpike to Cole Valley Cadillac. Cole Valley Cadillac opened Repair Order 6206894 and determined that the engine requires replacement under the manufacturer’s warranty. The repair records reference replacement of the engine, engine core, and engine block. The vehicle has remained out of service since June 18, 2026, and no confirmed repair-completion date has been provided. General Motors was notified under Cadillac Customer Assistance Case 103386652 and GM Repurchase Case 1153162. I am reporting this incident because a catastrophic engine failure and sudden loss of propulsion in a nearly new vehicle at highway speed could place the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk.

NHTSA ID 11754751 · filed Aug 4, 2026

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

The car engine stopped on the highway while driving. Wouldn’t turn back on all of my four children were on the car.

NHTSA ID 11741786 · filed Jun 3, 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 .