2024 Cadillac Escalade: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (49% of complaints); the 2025 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 5 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 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“November 19, 2025 I brought my Cadillac Escalade to the dealership under their voluntary recall on the engine. My vehicle passed the pico compression test. The dealership then changed my current oil to a heavier oil and changed the oil cap to match the oil they put in. July 2nd 2026 my husband was driving about 55 mph and I was a passenger the we heard loud knocking and the engine quit. We had vehicles behind us my husband was shocked I instantly hit my emergency 4 way light button so we didn’t get rear ended. We coasted to the shoulder of the road thankful that we didn’t get hit by the vehicles behind us.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“After accelerating from a stop sign to about 60mph on a 2 lane road, the engine shut off and the vehicle changed to neutral. I had to glide the truck down the road and off to the side. Vehicle would not start and had to be towed to a Cadillac dealership on a flatbed.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2026
“I want to report several recurring issues with my 2024 Escalade transmission:Rough/Hard Shifting: Drivers experience jerky, clunking, or harsh shifting, especially when accelerating or decelerating.Transmission Slipping: The vehicle slipped between gears, impacting performance.Delayed Engagement: A delay or clunking sound when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse.”Owner report · Power Train,Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“I’m using this car in Poland (Europe) my engine starts to make knocking noise due to Bearings rods and lifters failure . N252494001 L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion I called to European Cadillac authorized service and they refused to replace the engine because USA based manufacturer don’t wan’t to repair a car even is still on warranty”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“Traveling on interstate preparing to exit on ramp. Press start button displayed, car immediately sounded like it geared down hard and then lost power, unable to control well, all I could do to come to a safe stop, while praying that the car behind me didn’t hit me. The car basically locked up while preparing to exit the interstate. So scary, terrifying and dangerous.”Owner report · Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2026
“While driving vehicle reported multiple system failures and started shaking. Was safety parked and towed to dealership. Dealership found metal shavings in engine oil. No resolution as of yet.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025
“Engine failure. Started making a knocking noise on road with my whole family in the car, no lights or warnings on dash and had to pull over and get it towed to nearest dealer. Took a week to get a diagnostic done. Dealer found metal shavings in oil filter believe to be from a connecting rod bearing. Recall 252494000 was done 2,000 miles prior to engine failure. Now dealer must replace engine assembly, engine oil cooler and radiator all due to contamination”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
“Having it at four different dealers have not corrected the infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control phantom braking, electrical display issues such as ambient temperature, malfunctioning fuel gauge. Check engine notification was on, they seem to have corrected that, the next notification was service rear axle. Back up camera fails intermittently. I have had it to the dealer nine times, GM won't do a buy back I guess until they are sued. Also, dealer changed the oil to a thicker viscosity due to the engine recall. All the above ongoing for a full year.”Owner report · Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance · Oct 2025
“The vehicle died while driving with no warning and had 6,800 miles on it at the time. I received a message to "Push ignition to start" but it did nothing. Had it towed to Cadillac dealership. The engine was replaced. The paperwork that I received says "Large amounts of metal debris in oil. Drained engine oil and found oil to appear silver not brown/black. Suspect major internal failure not allowing engine rotation. Engine requires replacement due to extent of oil contamination with metal debris. I now need to use 0W20 oil. I feel like this isn't solving the problem and I don't feel safe driving this vehicle.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“I was driving on the expressway going 75mph in the middle lane when the vehicle said “press start button” and lost all propulsion. I started slowing down rapidly and was unable to get to the right lane as there were vehicles so I merged to the left lane and came to a stop narrowly missed by a speeding driver. The vehicle would not turn back on. I was in the left lane around 2:30pm with rush hour beginning. I did not feel safe waiting for a tow truck so was picked up by a coworker.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2024 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escalade by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2024 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2024 Cadillac Escalade. The most complained-about area is engine (49% of complaints).
Does the 2024 Cadillac Escalade have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp. 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.