2025 Cadillac Escalade

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.

On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. On April 24, 2025, GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the concern with L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024.  GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM’s  recall remedy will be either an oil change to an oil with a different viscosity or engine replacement depending on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. To date, ODI has received 1,157 allegations of engine bearing failure. GM submitted 55,464 reports in total, with 29,752 unique VINs. ODI continues to receive allegations of L87 engine failures which fall outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. Based on GM’s recall, ODI will close this PE. NHTSA will continue to investigate complaints of engine failure outside the scope of recall 25V-274 as part ofEngineering Analysis (EA25007). To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On [XXX], at approximately 15,200 miles, my 2025 Cadillac Escalade V developed multiple warnings while I was driving at highway speed. These included reduced acceleration, speed limited to 62 mph, service power steering, service traction control, rear axle system off, and unavailable forward-collision and adaptive-cruise functions. At one point, the speedometer displayed 0 mph while I was still traveling over 60 mph. The vehicle ultimately stopped in the roadway and required towing back to Crestmont Cadillac in Beachwood, Ohio. Becoming disabled in traffic and losing a reliable speed indication created a safety risk. I picked up the vehicle from Crestmont the previous day after approximately a week at the dealership. I was told no battery issues had been found. There had been earlier visits for electrical/network and reduced-power problems. An August 8–12, 2026 repair order documented CAN Bus 2 communications dropping out. The dealer removed a GPS tracking device during that visit, but electrical and drivability problems subsequently recurred. I documented a recurrence to the dealer in an August 20 email. I have notified Crestmont in writing about the [XXX] incident. The vehicle is now at the dealership for further investigation. The cause of the latest breakdown has not been determined. I have retained original video, dashboard screenshots, a prior repair order, and dealer correspondence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11762393

Incident

Sep 5, 2026

I had a 2023 Escalade that I was experiencing issues with. I decided to pay lot of money to get out of the 2023 and purchase a 2025 - which is what I was told would get me around the engine problems I was experiencing. Well that was quite the opposite. In 2025 Cadillac Escalade: 1. All the lights on the dashboard lit up and the engine seized up. It was at night with both of my kids scared. Had it towed in, and they diagnosed with with "spark" plugs as the issues. 2. I picked it up and proceed to drive to my field off [XXX] - the same thing happens. I am now 100 miles from home with a dead truck. It gets towed back to the dealership. At this point they called me and had to replace the engine - 15,000 mies. I then experienced more issue with car starting. - this time it needed a new battery. I just had a ruptured brain aneurysm with 3 surgeries - so my husband had to pick it up fro m the shop - and no one had driven. We are scared of the car - when we have only had it a year. The Cadillac team on IG is extremely condescending with no solution - just kinds fake words. What do we do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11762225

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

I rented this vehicle from Sixt at Washington National Airport on XXX at 11:53 AM with 21,343 miles on the odometer. That evening I was driving south on XXX in [XXX] with my father and my two children in the vehicle. The instrument cluster displayed multiple brake system warnings, including warnings that braking and slowing the vehicle could be impaired. I tested the brakes and found them substantially degraded. Slowing the vehicle required pressing the brake pedal with both feet. An exit was approximately one mile ahead. I reduced speed using two-footed braking, assisted by the upward grade of the roadway on the approach, and exited safely at [XXX]. I brought the vehicle to a stop in the parking lot of the Exxon station at [XXX], and notified the gas station attendant that the vehicle would be left there. I called the rental company's breakdown line at 10:04 PM and remained on the call for 34 minutes. My family and I walked to a motel nearby and stayed overnight. The vehicle was recovered by tow the following day. On XXX, the rental company's claims department stated in writing that upon recovery the vehicle was inspected, that no issues were reported, that no repairs were needed, and that the vehicle has since been rented numerous times. I am not aware of any diagnostic scan of the brake system having been performed following this reported failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11760622

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

6.2L Engine failed while over 400 miles from home. GM (Cadillac) has been zero help in rectifying the expense in travel interruption knowing this issue exists. Took almost 45 days for them to get vehicle repaired. Since repair I have had multiple other issues that I'm pretty sure is 100% related to this replacement.

NHTSA ID

11759377

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

On XXX, I was driving a 2025 Cadillac Escalade equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine westbound on [XXX] in [XXX] at approximately 35 mph in normal traffic. Without any warning, noise, or dashboard indication, the engine shut down and the vehicle lost all motive power while in a travel lane. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop, but the loss of power occurred in moving traffic and created a serious risk of a rear-end collision. The vehicle had approximately 24,000 miles at the time of failure. It has been maintained according to the manufacturer's schedule and has had no prior engine repairs. The vehicle was purchased new in XXX. GM Roadside Assistance was contacted and towed the vehicle to Pepe Cadillac for diagnosis. As of this filing, the cause has not been reported to me. I am aware of NHTSA recall 25V-274 and Engineering Analysis EA26005 concerning L87 6.2L V8 engine failures involving connecting rod and crankshaft defects. My vehicle is a 2025 model year, outside the original recall production period but within the population covered by EA26005. This is my second L87 engine failure. My previous vehicle, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade with the same 6.2L L87 engine, suffered engine failure in 2024 and received a replacement engine under warranty. I purchased the 2025 vehicle new in XXX after that experience. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11759296

Incident

Aug 24, 2026

ENGINE FAILURE.CONFIRMED BY DEALER AFTER IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ONLY WARNING LIGHT IN THE DASH WAS: REDUCED ACCELERATION DRIVE WITH CARE. THERE WAS A MOMENTARY LEFT FRONT WHEEL LOCKUP AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOLLOWED BY ENGINE NOISE AND A BAD SMELL.

NHTSA ID

11756846

Incident

Aug 12, 2026

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2025 Cadillac Escalade, which experienced a catastrophic engine failure while being driven on a public roadway with approximately 13,000 miles on the vehicle. While traveling from [XXX] to [XXX] , the vehicle suddenly lost power while in motion. A warning message appeared stating “Press to Start Again.” The engine shut off completely while driving, causing an immediate loss of propulsion. The vehicle went into neutral, and I was forced to maneuver to the side of the road to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Once stopped, the vehicle would not restart. Multiple attempts were made using both the push-button ignition and key fob remote start, but the vehicle remained inoperable. The vehicle was towed and later diagnosed as requiring a complete engine replacement despite being less than one year old. I believe this is a serious safety defect because the vehicle lost power without warning while being driven. Had this occurred in heavier traffic, while crossing an intersection, merging, or traveling at higher speeds, it could have resulted in a serious accident, injury, or death. This was not the first major issue with this vehicle. Within weeks of taking delivery, multiple components required repair or replacement, including: • Complete replacement of the camera system due to defective cameras • Replacement of a defective lighting component • Transmission failure concerns • Cylinder #2 misfire issues The repeated failures of major vehicle systems, culminating in a complete engine failure and loss of propulsion while driving, raise serious concerns about the safety and reliability of this vehicle. Additionally, after the engine failure, the vehicle could not be placed into neutral and had to be dragged onto a tow truck, causing damage to the tires and raising concerns about emergency roadside recovery procedures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11741395

Incident

May 31, 2026

The driver-side headlight on my 2025 Cadillac Escalade failed while the vehicle was still under factory warranty. This is a critical safety component that significantly reduces nighttime visibility and creates a safety risk for both myself and other drivers on the road. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized GM/Cadillac service center, and the failure was confirmed. The warranty repair was approved; however, the replacement part has been placed on national backorder with no reasonable repair timeframe provided. I have now been dealing with this unresolved safety-related issue for nearly three weeks. Because the headlight assembly is a major safety component, the vehicle may not be safe or practical to operate at night or during poor weather conditions. Prior to the failure, there were warning/error messages related to the headlight system appearing on the dashboard. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request through the servicing dealership. My concern is not only the headlight failure itself, but also the inability of the manufacturer to provide timely replacement parts for a critical safety-related system on a nearly new vehicle. This creates an ongoing safety concern and prolonged loss of use of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11740405

Incident

May 18, 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.