2026 CADILLAC ESCALADE

3 recalls, 42 complaints - 5/5 safety rating

WHEELS:HUB

Defect Description

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or defor... Read more

Consequence

A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number fo... Read more

2,457 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

Defect Description

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon... Read more

Consequence

Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer ... Read more

66 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Defect Description

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coup... Read more

Consequence

Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac... Read more

5,861 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

Complaint Statistics

42 total complaints 2 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE	16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5
STRUCTURE:BODY	3
POWER TRAIN	2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL	1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1

Incident date: Jun 14, 2026

Engine failior. Engine lost power on highway and lhad to limp to safety in traffic. With my children in the vehicle.

Incident date: Sep 4, 2026

Engine failure and replaced. Received vehicle back and placed under 2k miles on the new engine and 3 times now it has shut off while in motion and required a restart.

Incident date: Sep 4, 2026

Engine failure and replaced. Received vehicle back and placed under 2k miles on the new engine and 3 times now it has shut off while in motion and required a restart.

Incident date: Sep 4, 2026

Engine failure and replaced. Received vehicle back and placed under 2k miles on the new engine and 3 times now it has shut off while in motion and required a restart.

Incident date: Aug 25, 2026

On August 25, 2026, while driving my 2026 Cadillac Escalade, the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost power and the vehicle became inoperable while I was on the road. There was no meaningful advance warning that would have allowed me to safely anticipate the ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2026

First engine failed (6.2L) at 4900 miles and the was replaced. The second engine failed at 6000 miles and I am on my third engine now.

Incident date: Aug 6, 2026

My engine locked up with only 9k miles on it. Left me stranded in 109 degree heat. Had it towed to local dealer over 3 weeks ago they determined engine was bad and ordered new engine from GM but the engine is on back order. I need GM to buy my vehicle back so I can replace it I have nothing to drive... Read more

Incident date: Aug 2, 2026

Complete engine failure in 2026 Cadillac Escalade sport platinum with 3100 miles

Incident date: Aug 2, 2026

The motor started making a ticking noise, then when we came to a stop, the motor died. I was able to get it started and get us home. As we made it home, the noise began to get worse. The next morning I planned to take it to the dealership. The car started and I began to drive. We entered the fr... Read more

Incident date: Aug 21, 2026

I was driving on 35 mph road and first got a notification to service charging system, vehicle may stall, with the battery light on. Less than a mile after an alarm went off non stop stating engine overheating shut vehicle down immediately. Roadside mechanic came and discovered the serpentine belt fa... Read more

Incident date: Aug 23, 2026

Complete engine failure at 75MPH. Vehicle only has 5000 miles on it.

Incident date: Jul 22, 2026

Catastrophic engine failure. Main bearing lock up.

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

Incident date: Jul 29, 2026

Catastrophic Engine Failure while driving with 2,500 miles, leaving me stranded on the highway in the dead of night. Cadillac towed it in for repairs, yet refused to install a new engine, instead swapping out block with a rebuilt one and moving all other components over from the blown engine. As thi... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the engine made an abnormal ticking sound that progressed into a knocking sound coming from the engine while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the... Read more

Incident date: Jun 16, 2026

On Monday XXX, I was on my way to the dealer for my first oil change. I was driving through a toll both, also under construction just outside [XXX], when the engine lost power without warning and just stopped. While scrambling to find a tow truck I finally got the vehicle started and limped it to th... Read more

Incident date: Aug 6, 2026

I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade from AutoNation Cadillac West Palm Beach on July 27, 2026. At only approximately 375 miles, the vehicle developed serious engine/drivability problems and front/rear bumper alignment defects. The Escalade began shaking/stuttering, hesitating, experiencing inc... Read more

Incident date: Aug 6, 2026

Incident date: Jul 29, 2026

I was driving to work on a normal day under normal circumstances when a check engine light won my dashboard. Seconds later my car started showing car is over heating. I immediately swayed from the speed lane to the side of the road almost getting into a crash as other vehicles were at full speeds b... Read more

Incident date: Jul 29, 2026

Rear window shattered with no signs of impact or outside force.

Incident date: Jul 29, 2026

The transmission developed hesitations at take off, a whine at low speeds and over time got louder. Diagnosis by the dealer confirmed yet another bad eight speed transmission failure. This vehicle has 41K miles.

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

on the front dashboard there is a lot of oil deposit which is from the dashboard material which is reflective and sticky, this oil deposit reflects on the windshield and is making visibility hard when driving in sunlight... i have reached out to the Lexus corporate and they have indicated that the r... Read more

Incident date: Jul 17, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

Incident date: Jul 16, 2026

On XXX, while driving my 2024 Kia Telluride (VIN: [XXX]) with approximately 34,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly experienced a complete electrical failure without warning. The instrument cluster went completely black, I lost electric power steering assist, the transmission would not shift, and the ve... Read more

Incident date: Jun 22, 2026

This vehicle was sold to me as a new truck by Mountain West Truck Center in Salt Lake City, UT, with Federal Excise Tax paid accordingly. Prior to sale, the truck had undergone structural frame repair at Tec Equipment, an authorized Mack/Volvo dealer and repair facility in Reno, Nevada. During that ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 3, 2026

On Wednesday July 8, 2026 at approx 7:45 AM The powertrain system failed entirely due to a catastrophic malfunction of the Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), which completely and instantly failed with absolutely no prior dashboard warning lamps, check engine lights, or symptoms. Whil... Read more

Incident date: May 20, 2026

FOR THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, NEAR OR AROUND DECEMBER OF 2025 MY 2016 LINCOLN MKX HAS BEEN SHORTING OUT OR HAVING GLITCHES IN THE CENTER CABIN. THE CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM AND BLINDSPOT SYTEM FAULT HAVE TURNED ON AND OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATING A SHORT IN THE CABIN RESULTING IN THE ac OR hEAT TURN... Read more

Incident date: May 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that every 2,300 miles, the oil reservoir was refilled with 2 quarts of oil. In addition, the contact stated the failure occurred after the first oi... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2026

The digitizer in my car's infotainment system malfucntions every time the car is on. It changes what is showing on the screen, what is playing from the speakers, etc. The system acts like a ghost is touching it. There have been times where I am driving and my navigation map is showing, but my screen... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The driver attempted to use the parking brake to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The message “Brakin... Read more

Incident date: Mar 20, 2026

I was driving on the highway, 65mph when I had a sudden loss of power, check electrical system warning and a battery picture came on. I was reduced to approx 10mph suddenly in rush hour traffic, in the left lane, with no shoulder to pull over to. I was able, with the kindness of other drivers slowi... Read more

Incident date: Mar 23, 2026

I purchased a vehicle from a private seller on offer up. The seller stated the vehicle was clean title, he also stated the vehicle was low mileage with 112,000. When I got the vehicle the tire sensor was showing on the dash and the air bag sensor. After purchasing the vehicle I later found out the v... Read more

Incident date: Mar 21, 2026

The contact owned a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the vehicle caught fire. The contact was in her residence, and a neighbor knocked on her door, making her aware that the vehicle had caught fire. The fire has been extinguished b... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Mar 21, 2026

i was driving my truck on Saturday march 21,2026 and all of a sudden black smoke started pouring thru my heater vents. i could no longer steer the vehicle and i put into park shut it off and left the vehicle. after we got out we could see a fire under my jeep. by the time the fire department got the... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Mar 21, 2026

The shift to park keeps showing up and I had this issue taken care of last year at the dealership and it just started again. It is over $600 to have the repair done and should last more than a year before it needs to be replaced again. The lane assist pops up every couple weeks that it is not workin... Read more

Incident date: Feb 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V720000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was started, and there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact took th... Read more

Incident date: Feb 16, 2026

Passenger headlight, LED low beam has gone out. Daytime running lights, high beam, and turn signal still work. Tried replacing the module and it's the headlamp that is bad.

Incident date: Feb 12, 2026

Unknown it doesn't start and all lights flash on dash

Incident date: Feb 12, 2026

The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) and High Voltage Fuse failed twice within 100 miles, causing a total loss of motive power while driving. The first failure occurred on Jan 24, 2026 (13,954 miles), and the second on Feb 2, 2026 (approx. 14,000 miles), immediately after the first repair att... Read more

Incident date: Feb 12, 2026

While driving on a very busy highway going downhill when suddenly the vehicle started feeling abnormal like it was going to turn off automatically, heard an abnormal grinding noise coming from the engine the vehicle dropped speed drastically and the check engine light turned on , luckily we were on... Read more

Incident date: Jan 23, 2026

One day the car was fine, next morning went to start car and was greeted by multiple failure warnings - Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available, Service AdvanceTrac, Steering Assist Fault Service Required, and Hill Start Assist Not Available. Efforts to restart without errors failed. Power Steering ... Read more

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2026 CADILLAC ESCALADE

2026 CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV N/A 4WD

Category	Rating
Overall Rating	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash, Passenger	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Side Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover	3 / 5 ★★★☆☆
Rollover Risk	21.9%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, CADILLAC ESCALADE

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Open , Model Year: 2021

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

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 r... Read more

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 2021

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

EA, Open , Model Year: 2021

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 C... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2021

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

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 en... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2015

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and C... hevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2002

Brake line corrosion failure

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has vie... wed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor tRead more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2007

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION(ODI) DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-010, GM PROVIDED ODI WITH 41 ALLEGATIONS OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES INCLUDING 16 ALLEGATIONS OF FIRES ORIGINATING WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.ONE OF T... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPP... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1999

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1999

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

CADILLAC ESCALADE - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the CADILLAC ESCALADE across all model years (1999, 2026).

101 Total Recalls

2,369 Total Complaints

11 Investigations

145 Reported Crashes

74 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

CADILLAC ESCALADE - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026 (current)	3	42
2025	1	32	View
2024	2	70	View
2023	4	199	View
2022	4	119	View
2021	9	100	View
2020	2	16	View
2019	0	29	View
2018	1	29	View
2017	2	78	View
2016	4	123	View
2015	9	145	View
2014	2	30	View
2013	4	24	View
2012	3	32	View
2011	6	53	View
2010	3	47	View
2009	5	89	View
2008	4	180	View
2007	4	320	View
2006	2	26	View
2005	4	64	View
2004	4	99	View
2003	6	111	View
2002	3	164	View
2001	1	3	View
2000	4	96	View
1999	5	46	View

Other CADILLAC Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
ESCALADE ESV	128	666	View
CTS	64	3,088	View
ESCALADE EXT	63	126	View
DEVILLE	59	3,662	View
FLEETWOOD	50	265	View
SEVILLE	46	1,049	View
BROUGHAM	46	69	View
SRX	43	4,144	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2026 CADILLAC ESCALADE

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2026 CADILLAC ESCALADE

Safety Technology

NHTSA Safety Investigations, CADILLAC ESCALADE

CADILLAC ESCALADE - All Years Overview

CADILLAC ESCALADE - Year by Year

Other CADILLAC Models