2023 Cadillac Escalade Esv: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 73 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (46% of complaints); the 2022 and 2024 and 2025 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 7 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Apr 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Just got the call from the dealership BAYWAY Cadillac of The Woodlands that the L87 V-8 engine recall failed inspection and the engine will need to be replaced.”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
“Engine failure shortly after recall remedy performed by dealer. Recall 25V-274 / N252494000. Sudden loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds with no warning. Engine stalls and will not restart. Vehicle cannot be shifted into neutral without engine running making it impossible to get vehicle to safety and out of traffic. Dealer confirmed that engine seized as part of recall and will need to be replaced, despite having recall oil change remedy performed. Cadillac case file #98347975”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
“While driving approximately 55 miles per hour vehicle started making loud knocking noise then vehicle shifted to neutral. Vehicle was towed to dealership. Waiting for inspection to confirm engine failure. Vehicle has 32,000 miles.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“While traveling at 75 mph, our SUV suddenly lost power going uphill. We barely reached the crest and were able to coast down to a safe place off the highway. We were stranded 300 miles from home and nearly 100 miles from the closest Cadillac dealership, sitting on the side of the highway with my family for three hours before someone could pick us up. The cause was a catastrophic bearing failure in the L87 engine, requiring the entire engine to be replaced. Thankfully, we were able to get off the highway safely. If the engine had completely locked up at 75 mph, this could have caused a serious or even fatal accident.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
“The original engine was replaced in my Escalade in September 2025 under the GM Engine Recall. The original engine was working, but it failed the inspection at the dealership and was replaced. March 1st, 2026 the Escalade died while driving. Police came and helped block traffic and called a tow truck since the engine was dead. The Escalade was towed back to the same dealership and they confirmed the newly replaced engine failed under the same bulletin that mandated the replacement of the original engine.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“The engine failed on I-17 while driving 75MPH on 2/14/2026. The car shifted into neutral and was able to coast on to the berm of the interstate. The car was towed to Flagstaff Chevrolet and was determined to have engine failure and is waiting for a replacement engine. When the engine failed a warning message came on warning of severe engine overheating and shut down and the car automatically shifted into neutral.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2026
“I had a complete engine failure while driving. This was after going through the recall inspection in September 2025 where they looked, changed the oil and said everything was okay,”Owner report · Power Train,Engine · Jan 2026
“While driving approximately 50 mph on a busy road, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral and stalled, leaving it unable to restart in the roadway. The car was towed to the dealership, where a new battery was installed and the engine seized.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2026
“Auto started for about 5 minutes. Got in started vehicle and drove off. Immediately sounded like a motorcycle, loud exhaust. Volume of noise increased, upon acceleration. Checked under vehicle for exhaust problems when got to destination, 30 minutes drive, found nothing. Stayed about 90 minutes. Drove back home, same noise. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Informed transmission fluid pump was cracked. Upon finding out pump is internal to transmission, wondered how this could happen.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2025
“The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escalade Esv by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Esv reliable?
NHTSA has 73 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Esv. The most complained-about area is engine (46% of complaints).
Does the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Esv have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.