2023 Cadillac Escalade Engine Problems

I was driving and the vehicle stopped accelerating and the gear was in neutral. I pulled over and turned the car off then attempted to turn it on, but it would not turn over. All electrical was on, but the car would not start. This same thing happened two days prior twice within 10 min. of each other, but I was able to start the car those times. Due to the speed suddenly declining and being unable to accelerate on a two lane road with cars behind me; it could have caused a serious accident. It has not yet been confirmed by a dealer, but this is a known recall for this vehicle that was listed as complete prior. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. The first noted incident happened on 8/10/26.

NHTSA ID

11756417

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

2023 Cadillac Escalade, 6.2L V8 (RPO L87). Subject of Recall 25V-274 and NHTSA investigation RQ26-001. Over the past year, this vehicle has been out of the shop only about 90 days total. The rest of the year it has been in dealer service at GM/Cadillac dealerships for a recurring, undiagnosed loss-of-power defect. It is currently in dealer service. FAILURE: The vehicle has suddenly lost all motive power on three separate occasions. Engine runs, vehicle loses all drive power, will not restart. Two events occurred at approximately 80 mph on an interstate highway. One occurred with children in the vehicle. The only warning is a “service rear axle” message that appears just before power loss. No diagnostic trouble code has isolated the fault. Root cause has not been diagnosed. REPAIR PATTERN: Six dealer visits across two Cadillac dealerships in one year. Interventions have included two battery replacements, a full engine replacement under Recall 25V-274, an approximately $1,500 charge categorized as diagnostic with no repair labor documented, and most recently a “wiring harness manipulation / re-wrap” performed over approximately 90 days. Dealer personnel described the fix as “manipulation fixed it” — which is not a diagnosed repair. On at least one return of the vehicle, dealer personnel stated in the presence of a witness that they were not certain the defect had been fixed. The “service rear axle” warning returned within three days of the most recent repair. POST-RECALL: The engine was replaced under Recall 25V-274 and the loss-of-power failures continued afterward. This is directly relevant to RQ26-001, examining post-recall-remedy failures.

NHTSA ID

11754077

Incident

Aug 14, 2025

Vehicle started making a horrendous noise, knock and squeeling noise while on the highway. Approximately 2 minutes later the check engine light came on and we completely lost power. Went from 70 to zero dead on the side of the NY Thruway rapidly. Vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that an engine replacement was necessary. Engine previously passed PICO test and update to the oil cap was completed. Oil changes every 5k miles.

NHTSA ID

11753366

Incident

Jul 10, 2026

Engine stopped running while driving without any prior notifications, lights, or warnings. Car was stationary in the roadway while my wife tried repeatedly to restart the engine. After several tries the engine started and ran long enough to pull car off roadway. Car was inspected last year and procedures per recall notice where performed and was then deemed safe and reliable. Recall corrections did not fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11751916

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

My vehicle was inspected as part of the 6.2 engine recall and passed. 3 months later the engine stopped. Had to get towed and get a new engine

NHTSA ID

11750602

Incident

Jun 10, 2026

2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum with 6.2L L87 V8 suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/20/2026 at approximately 38,658 miles. Vehicle had GM recall N252494000 performed at Coulter Cadillac in Phoenix, AZ on 12/3/2025. Engine reportedly passed GM recall inspection and received oil-related remedy rather than engine replacement. Approximately six months later, while driving on I-17 near Black Canyon City, AZ at highway speed on a 75 mph interstate, the engine suddenly shut down with no warning signs or alerts. Vehicle shifted to neutral and lost all propulsion. There were no prior check-engine lights, oil-pressure warnings, reduced-power warnings, abnormal noises, or other alerts before failure. I was traveling with my family of four plus our dog in approximately 105°F heat at the start of a road trip. I was able to maneuver to the shoulder, but the sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a serious safety risk. We were stranded roadside for nearly one hour in a remote area. Earnhardt Cadillac in Scottsdale, AZ diagnosed crank bearing failure. GM/Cadillac has indicated the proposed repair is installation of a refurbished/remanufactured replacement engine. I am concerned this failure occurred after the recall remedy had already been completed and appears consistent with the L87 crankshaft/connecting rod/bearing failures and post-remedy failures under NHTSA review. Cadillac case number is 103635161.

NHTSA ID

11750090

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

We were driving on an interstate in Indiana and the car jerked and then automatically went into neutral. We couldn’t accelerate or put the car back into drive. We had to get over 2 lanes and onto the shoulder. We were able to put the car in park once on the shoulder but the car would not turn on or off. We couldn’t do anything. All electronics were still running but the engine was not running. The emergency break went on as well. The car sat on the side of the road for 3 hours with the electronics going while waiting for a tow which then wore out the battery. Because the car switched on the emergency break, the towing company had a difficult time getting it up on the tow truck. There were no warning lights going off. We were going 75mph on a highway with my children in the car! Scariest thing ever. I can only imagine what could have happened. We were so lucky to not be hit on the highway trying to change lanes and not being able to accelerate. Then we had to sit on the side of a highway for 3 hours in 95 degree weather and we were 2.5 hours from home! After 3 hours, a tow truck finally showed up. My family had to take a taxi to the nearest dealership because the tow truck would not take us. After 4 days, the dealership finally ran the diagnostic test and said the engine had seized up and we need a new engine which is on backorder. That dealership is 2.5 hours from home, so we then had to pay for another tow truck to get my vehicle back up to home so the local dealership could work on it. It has been one week since this incident happened and we have no idea how long the repairs will take but it’s my understanding that they are just replacing the faulty engine with another faulty engine because GM has no fix for this engine failure issue so it will happen again!!!

NHTSA ID

11744479

Incident

Jun 11, 2026

I was driving at highway speeds when my vehicle suddenly lost power and began rapidly decelerating. The vehicle eventually stalled in the middle of the roadway, creating a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers and significantly increasing the risk of a crash. This vehicle had previously undergone the GM safety recall inspection under Recall N252494000 for the L87 6.2L engine loss of propulsion defect. The recall inspection and remedy failed to identify the underlying engine defect, and the engine still catastrophically failed only months later. After the recall was completed, the vehicle was maintained according to GM’s updated recall instructions, including use of the required 0W-40 engine oil. Despite compliance with the recall remedy and maintenance requirements, the engine still failed during normal highway operation. The recall specifically acknowledged potential manufacturing defects involving the connecting rod and/or crankshaft components that could lead to engine failure and loss of propulsion. That is exactly what occurred in this incident. I believe the recall inspection procedure was inadequate and failed to detect defective engines that remain unsafe and subject to catastrophic failure even after being marked as “recall completed.”

NHTSA ID

11739194

Incident

May 14, 2026

As a loyal GM customer who has purchased three Cadillac Escalades and had them exclusively serviced at Cadillac dealerships, , I am writing regarding my 2023 Escalade, equipped with the 6.2L V8 (L87) engine, affected by the recall (N252494000) impacting approximately 597,630 vehicles . I recently took my vehicle to a Cadillac dealership for the recall inspection, where it passed, received a switch to o@-40 Mobil 1 Supercar oil, and was granted an extended warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the purchase date. Despite this , I am deeply troubled by GM's handling of the recall, which has caused significant unease, undermined my trust, failed to honor my loyalty, and imposed unfair burdens. I respectfully request clarification and action on the following issues: Inadequate Recall Remedy and Impact on Gas Mileage - The remedy for vehicles that pass inspection- switching from 0W-20 to higher-viscosity 0W40 oil- raises serious doubts about its effectiveness in addressing a manufacturing defect in the crankshaft and/or connecting rods, which GM acknowledges can lead to engine failure and increase crash risk. Many owners, including myself, question whether thicker oil is a permanent solution or a temporary workaround. Additionally, the switch to 0W-40 is likely to reduce fuel efficiency due to increased engine drag, imposing an unaddressed cost in deduced gas mileage. This is especially concerning for me, as I rely on my Escalade for annual drives from [XXX] to [XXX] for the winter months. Can GM provide technical evidence proving the oil change fully resolves the defect, and will the company compensate owners for the loss in fuel economy? Inconsistent Communications Regarding the Extended Warranty - The dealership assured my vehicle is "fine" after passing the inspection, yet GM is providing an extended warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles. This contradiction - claiming the engine is defect-free while extending warranty coverage - suggests GM anticipat INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN

NHTSA ID

11738840

Incident

May 19, 2026

My vehicle lost full engine propulsion going 70mph on the highway. We were blocking lanes of traffic and lost speed at a very rapid pace. No engine or warning light came on before the car lost engine and shifted into neutral. We called 911 and the California Highway Patrol had to assist in us not getting hit from behind as our car was disabled and would not restart to move off of lanes of traffic.

NHTSA ID

11735822

Incident

Mar 8, 2026

Engine seized up

NHTSA ID

11734955

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

Engine failure at 9052 miles on 3/2/2024 miles hike driving 50 mph. Car shut down completely with no warning. I was able to get it to side of road without wrecking. Towed to Lafayette Indiana blown motor had to be replaced. Repaired and returned on 3/27/2024. Failed engine recall at my routine maintenance at 33680 miles on 12/26/2025. Engine ordered. I was told it could still be driven I feel this was a safety hazard Car taken in on 3/7/2025 . I called for update on 3/27/2026 and was told GM sent the wrong motor. Called for another update on 4/10/2026. Car completed on 4/14/2026.

NHTSA ID

11734420

Incident

Mar 2, 2024

Vehicle died and will not start. Call on star for tow truck 8 hrs no tow truck ! Vehicle is super dangerous and unreliable. It’s going to get somebody killed.

NHTSA ID

11733711

Incident

Apr 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 69 MPH with the cruise control set, the vehicle started driving sluggishly and failed to maintain the set speed. The vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 62 MPH. The ‘High Oil Temperature” warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to 55 MPH. The vehicle then lost automotive power, stalled, and shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with complete engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,400.

NHTSA ID

11732550

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

Mileage

60,400 mi

I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated engine and drivability issues with my vehicle, which began shortly after purchase and have continued despite service visits. I purchased the vehicle on 03/04/2023. Within approximately one month (03/26/2023), I began experiencing abnormal engine behavior, including ticking noises and instances where the vehicle would shut off and require restarting. I immediately brought the vehicle to the dealership. At that time, the issue was not properly diagnosed and I was told after a test drive that the noise was “normal. On 12/18/2025, I was later notified of an engine recall involving the same type of engine problem I had been reporting since 2023. I brought the vehicle in 12/19/2026 and the engine failed 3 times. I was informed that an engine replacement was necessary, and the vehicle was left at the dealership. It was ready for pickup on 01/14/2026 after the engine replacement was completed. On 04/15/2026, the vehicle began making knocking noises and would not shift into drive or reverse. I had to turn the vehicle off and restart it in order to regain drivability. On 04/16/2026, while driving, the vehicle began making a loud revving noise without accelerating and started to slow down and lose power. I was forced to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle would not respond properly until I turned it off and restarted it again in order to continue driving. These ongoing issues present a serious safety concern due to repeated loss of power and drivability while operating the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11731616

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

Dealership stated they fixed recall ref# N252494000 on 9/24/25. But on 4/9/26 noticed engine noise (knocking), then a lose of power and then vehicle stalled on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11730314

Incident

Apr 9, 2026

Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds - 2023 Escalade. We easily could have been killed. I drive a 2023 Cadillac Escalade that I purchased from Motor Werks Cadillac in [XXX] . It was very expensive. The car has under 33k miles on it, off memory.I informed the dealer I would be taking the car on a family vacation road trip from [XXX] to [XXX] (for spring break), and requested they perform any necessary preventative service on it to ensure it was in perfect shape to make the trip. They performed the service (basic air filter change etc) and returned the car to me two days before I packed my family [XXX] and [XXX] daughters and wife) into the car and began the journey. After driving less than three hours, the engine completely and suddenly died, without warning, while we were traveling at 75 miles an hour on the highway in the left lane in the middle of rural [XXX] . At the same time all of the electronics in the vehicle died as well. It was an extremely dangerous situation because the road is heavily trafficked by semi trucks, which I was barely able to avoid as I attempted to coast across all the lanes of traffic to get onto the shoulder of the road on the right hand side. Because the car was without propulsion, I was not able to get fully onto the shoulder, but mostly. This left the car in a precarious position because the semi's that we're driving by could easily have hit the car had they not been careful and veered slightly to the left. We easily could have been killed. There's more to the story, like the dealer telling me Cadillac is aware that catastrophic engine failure at highway speeds is a known issue impacting Escalades around the country, and including significant mental trauma that my children experienced by being stranded on the side of the road for several hours in the dark in a car that had no engine, no electronics and no heat. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11728413

Incident

Mar 16, 2026

Vehicle: 2023 Cadillac Escalade (VIN: [XXX] ) Dealer: Cadillac Pasadena Case Number (GM Corporate): XXX Refusal to perform a mandatory Federal Safety Recall remedy. Details: 1. My vehicle is currently under Safety Recall XXX(L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion). I experienced a loss of propulsion and brought the vehicle to Cadillac Pasadena. 2 The dealership technician confirmed the engine is exhibiting "abnormal noise (lifter clatter on both banks) and active misfires." 3 The dealership claims they cannot complete the mandatory PicoScope diagnostic test for the recall because the engine condition (misfires/noise) interferes with the equipment. 4 Under GM Special Coverage XXX, if the engine cannot be safely tested due to internal mechanical failure within the recall population, GM is mandated to cover the diagnostic teardown and full engine assembly replacement at no cost to the consumer. 5 The dealership is refusing to authorize the teardown under the GM Special Coverage code and is instead pressuring me to pay myself. 6 The dealership has stopped responding to my written inquiries (sent March 18th and 19th) and refuses to provide a loaner vehicle, despite the vehicle being officially "unsafe to drive" due to the open safety recall. I am asking you to requre Immediate authorization of engine teardown and full engine assembly replacement under GM Special Coverage XXXat $0 cost to me, and provision of a loaner vehicle as required for safety recall grounding. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11726077

Incident

Mar 17, 2026

On Oct 14,2025 Dealer did a GM safety recall under N252494000 On March 14th 2026 the motor with out, the dealership is now going to replace the motor under the Recall

NHTSA ID

11725618

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

On 2/17/2026 , while driving to work at 55 mph , the engine quit and dash board said to restart engine. Could not restart engine and had Cadillac Escalade towed to Gerry Lane Cadillac in Baton Rouge, Louisiana . Today 2/24/2026 , we received a call from dealership stating that it needs a new engine. (6.2 liter engine ) It may be a month before we get our Escalade back.

NHTSA ID

11720278

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

On September 8, 2024, while traveling approximately 75 mph on Interstate 4 with my wife and five children, this 2023 Cadillac Escalade experienced a sudden catastrophic loss of engine power following a hard shift. Steering, braking assist, and acceleration were effectively lost and the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning. We were nearly struck by a tractor-trailer while attempting to reach the shoulder and were stranded on the highway in unsafe heat for over an hour without roadside assistance. A dealership inspection confirmed catastrophic internal engine failure involving metal debris and spun bearings, requiring complete engine replacement and related component repairs under manufacturer direction. The vehicle was out of service for approximately 15 days. The failed components and repair documentation are available for inspection through the dealer and manufacturer. No prior warning lights or messages were present before the initial failure. On February 8, 2026, the replacement engine experienced a second sudden loss-of-power event. The day before, the vehicle briefly lost propulsion near 40 mph approaching a stoplight and restarted with difficulty. The following day, while backing from a parking space into an active roadway, the vehicle again lost propulsion and became disabled, nearly resulting in a collision with an approaching truck while surrounding traffic was forced to stop. This repeat failure of the engine/powertrain system has been reproduced and confirmed by a dealership and previously inspected by the manufacturer. The recurring sudden loss of propulsion without adequate warning creates a serious and ongoing safety hazard to occupants and surrounding motorists. The failed components and vehicle remain available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11717346

Incident

Feb 8, 2026

Received a recall letter that stated the engine in my 2023 escalade with roughly 49,000 miles on it at the time. Has problems with the engine breaking down and shutting the entire vehicle off. Took the car to the dealer to fix per the recall letter. They stated they only needed to replace an oil cap and put better oil in the car, and not replace the engine as stated in the recall letter. About two weeks later the transmission started to slip and the car would not go over 50 MPH, in addition it would switch automatically into 4wd and get stuck in 4wd. Took the car back to the dealership they did not replace transmission they stated it may have something to do with the recall or an electrical issue. About 8,000 miles later I was driving on the highway taking kids to school and the entire vehicle just shut down completely, I could not brake, steer, control the car in anyway possible. I was riding what felt like a death trap. I was so scared for my family and myself, the car came to a stop on its own pretty drastically. I thought I was going to get slammed into or hit the car in front of me. Luckily I was not hit. The car prompted to push the start button, I tried to start the car, nothing. There was still music playing but the screens were all black, also the engine did not turn over at all. I could not put on my hazards either. I called a tow truck while sitting there and got the car towed to the dealership. The dealership took 3 days to get back to me and stated it was the engine and they are going to have to replace it with a new engine. In addition they would not provide me with a time frame at all, or a temporary vehicle to take my kids to school in. I feel this should be illegal with what has happened to me, I got regular oil changes and maintenance done. If they are still using this engine someone will end up dying from this poorly engineered engine and car. Cadillac once had a great reputation, I regret putting my kids and my life into this automobile.

NHTSA ID

11713148

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

2023 Escalade, the dealer did the oil change recall to put the thicker oil and oil filter in it a few months ago after the motor was ticking. They had to get recall approved by GM, due to it not showing up under my VIN for the recall. They approved it and on Friday 1/16 driving on a 55mph 3 lane highway with my newborn baby the car just stopped driving and shut off with no warning and not enough time to pull into a shoulder or out of the way. Sat in the car for 30 mins with my newborn baby until cops arrived to help with safety and we waited 45 mins for a tow truck. Cars were swerving nearly hitting us multiple times and you cannot neutral override them to atleast push or pull the car out of the road while waiting for a tow truck

NHTSA ID

11711938

Incident

Jan 16, 2026

Component/System Failure: The engine experienced catastrophic failure related to Recall N252494000 (NHTSA 25V-274), resulting in complete loss of power and immediate engine shutdown. The original engine was removed and replaced by the Cadillac dealership. The failed engine should be in possession of the dealer or manufacturer and should be available for inspection upon request per manufacturer retention policies. Safety Risk: The vehicle lost all power while traveling at highway speed on Highway 70 with three children and two adults in the vehicle. I was forced to coast into a center turning lane between oncoming traffic in both directions, with no ability to accelerate or move out of traffic. The shutdown occurred without warning, creating a high risk of rear-end or head-on collision. Loss of life was narrowly avoided. Confirmation of Failure: The failure was confirmed by an authorized Cadillac dealership, which determined the vehicle was affected by the active engine recall and replaced the engine under recall service, confirming the failure matched the known defect. Inspections: The vehicle was inspected by the Cadillac dealership acting on behalf of the manufacturer. No police or insurance inspection occurred since no collision took place and the issue was handled through recall repair. Warnings or Symptoms: There were no prior warning lights or drivability symptoms. While driving, a message stating “not safe to drive” appeared, and within approximately five seconds the engine shut off completely. There was no abnormal engine noise before shutdown. After failure, the vehicle could not be restarted, turned off, or shifted and automatically placed itself into park.

NHTSA ID

11710467

Incident

Nov 2, 2025

Vehicle was running with the driver side door open and driver out of vehicle. The vehicle slipped out of gear and reversed quickly. Driver went to get back in while moving backwards to try and stop vehicle. The driver got smashed between the garage and vehicle door. The vehicle door hyperextended and caused damage/injury to driver. The emergency brake did not come on until after the accident. Prior to this happening recalls were not preformed due to GM advising us that our vehicle was not next to get it done. Throughout ownership the vehicle has slipped out of gear two other times. We took it in each time and were told it shouldn’t happen again and they could not replicate. GM did an inspection after and fixed recalls and told us they would not assist us with damage or any compensation.

NHTSA ID

11705426

Incident

Aug 27, 2025