2020 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints

My vehicle doesn’t even have 66k miles on it and the lifters have gone bad. The check engine came on and the vehicle has stopped working.

NHTSA ID

11733688

Incident

Apr 24, 2026

Engine Failure According to Chevrolet dealership my engine needed to be replace due to tapping coming from the engine. In addition, they found lifter damage along with the camshaft. Cylinder 3 lifter roller failure causing noise and camshaft damage, Yes this was confirmed and engine replaced at that same dealership No warning light or any other symptoms prior to the problem. I have a copy of the receipt and the complete work order from the dealership.

NHTSA ID

11727310

Incident

Nov 20, 2025

Engine has been making a knocking sound and shaking and vibrating very loud loudly. The engine light has been on as well as the traction light and it is acts like it’s going to stall every time I turn on the engine. Because of safety concerns, especially on the very busy highway, where I do a lot of driving, I have been afraid to drive the car. Sewell Cadillac is aware of the engine problem and they informed me I need a $10,000 engine replacement! My 2020 engine falls outside of the current recall by one year. I feel as if GMC should be responsible for this unbelievable and totally unexpected problem! I have several friends who are experiencing the same issues with their GMC with the same year and comparable mileage.

NHTSA ID

11725325

Incident

Mar 8, 2026

Noticed smoke in rear view mirror while driving at 65 mph. Towed to repair facility. Engine has a piston rod broken and pushed through the block.

NHTSA ID

11721402

Incident

Mar 2, 2026

THE CALAPSABLE LIFTERS HAVE FAILED AND I NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CAM SHAFT. WHY ISNTTHE 2020 ESCALADE ON THE RECAL LIST OF 6.2L ENGIN RECALLS?

NHTSA ID

11716653

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while starting and driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made abnormal sounds. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the year and VIN were not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,571.

NHTSA ID

11710600

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

Mileage

55,571 mi

Scary, driving with my 3 kids. Engine lights and hazard lights saying pull over. Loud sound coming from the hood. We immediately pulled over. Dealership and private Mechanic told us we need a new engine. We just spent $15k on a new transmission. Dealership won’t help us, said our 2020 wasn’t part of the recall. We can’t find an engine if our life depended on it. It’s the same engine as the recall yet they haven’t recalled the 2020 engine yet. The dealership didn’t even tell us what to do or where to complain besides their dealership. No help. Our Cadillac now sits un drive-able. We have to try to get a loan and buy another vehicle. So upset. GMC is not admitting ANYTHING with the 2020’s

NHTSA ID

11669904

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the lifters, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11660029

Incident

Mar 5, 2025

Mileage

106,000 mi

Engine has 64k miles and at stop lights and while parked drops idle to below 500 makes a random knock like sound shudders like it is going to cut off or have engine failure but no check engine lights.

NHTSA ID

11650769

Incident

Mar 25, 2025

Vehicle stops unexpectedly in parking lots (5-10mph) and on freeways (70-76mph). Speed ranges from 5 - 75 mph. Unexpected braking occurs for no reason. There are typically no obstructions or vehicles in front of the vehicle. It is most concerning when the vehicle automatically applies braking traveling at 70-76mph.

NHTSA ID

11565837

Incident

Jan 2, 2024

This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared

NHTSA ID

11542464

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

Cadillac Escalade was struck in a rear end collision in Georgia. Driver of trailing car stated that the Escalade "suddenly stopped". After reviewing dash cam footage from the trailing car it can be seen that the Escalade was very slowly decelerating for ~4 seconds before suddenly stopping, the trailing driver did not react to the initial deceleration, only the sudden stop. Closer inspection of the footage suggests the non-standard brake lights of the Escalade contributed to the crash. The vertical stripes do not register as brake lights easily, especially as they blend into the structure of the vehicle. Screenshots of dashcam footage showing this are attached.

NHTSA ID

11445717

Incident

Dec 27, 2021

CAR STARTS BUT WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, IT MAY OR MAY NOT GO WORK. WHEN IT DOES WORK THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR.

NHTSA ID

11321030

Incident

Apr 13, 2020

Mileage

938 mi