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2026 Cadillac Escalade Esv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

At 9,000 miles the engine on my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV started knocking and the dealership replaced it. They did not provide a loaner or a rental vehicle for the time the vehicle was at the shop. After the replacement, the new engine sounds the same and will probably needs replacing as well. After the fix I started getting e…

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At 9,000 miles the engine on my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV started knocking and the dealership replaced it. They did not provide a loaner or a rental vehicle for the time the vehicle was at the shop. After the replacement, the new engine sounds the same and will probably needs replacing as well. After the fix I started getting electrical issues my rear right signal and taillight started acting up. Sometimes the rear signal doesn't work and another times the rear right taillight would stay on after turning the vehicle off and locking it.

NHTSA ODI #11760228

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2026
Engine

I was driving my NEW 2026 Cadillac Escalade down the highway when my engine froze up! It was damaged so bad that they replaced the engine. So obviously GM has not fixed this problem. They promised that the issue was fixed or I would have never bought this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11758860

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2026
Engine

I pulled out onto a highway and sped up to 65 mph. About 10 minutes later, I heard a ticking sound.That sound proceeded to get very loud, almost like a loud pan banging/squeeling. The car seemed to “drive” normal but that sound was heard only on acceration of the gas pedal. If I was not pressing on the gas, the car sounded norma…

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I pulled out onto a highway and sped up to 65 mph. About 10 minutes later, I heard a ticking sound.That sound proceeded to get very loud, almost like a loud pan banging/squeeling. The car seemed to “drive” normal but that sound was heard only on acceration of the gas pedal. If I was not pressing on the gas, the car sounded normal. Once I pressed the gas, the loud squeal occurred . I had it towed 3 hrs away to the Cadillac dealership who replaced my engine. Said it was the crankshaft in my 6.2l engine. The car was returned to me, and two days later, the check engine light came on. I drove to the local GM dealer to get it scanned. It said “engine control module starter drive control” and “engine control module starter motor control”. So I drove it home. The next day, I went to start it and nothing happens. The screen lights up, says “service 4 wheel drive” and I can’t put in neutral or gear. Does not turn over, nothing. Now I’m waiting for my tow back to dealer which is 3 hours away and Onstar said it could take up to 5 days bc of distance.

NHTSA ODI #11758820

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2026
EnginePower Train

On June 18, 2026, while my nearly new 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV was being driven on the Ohio Turnpike, the vehicle unexpectedly entered reduced-power or limp mode, lost propulsion, shut off, and would not restart. The vehicle had approximately 2,234 miles. The sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred in active hi…

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On June 18, 2026, while my nearly new 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV was being driven on the Ohio Turnpike, the vehicle unexpectedly entered reduced-power or limp mode, lost propulsion, shut off, and would not restart. The vehicle had approximately 2,234 miles. The sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred in active highway traffic and created a serious risk of a collision. The vehicle had to be towed from the Ohio Turnpike to Cole Valley Cadillac. Cole Valley Cadillac opened Repair Order 6206894 and determined that the engine requires replacement under the manufacturer’s warranty. The repair records reference replacement of the engine, engine core, and engine block. The vehicle has remained out of service since June 18, 2026, and no confirmed repair-completion date has been provided. General Motors was notified under Cadillac Customer Assistance Case 103386652 and GM Repurchase Case 1153162. I am reporting this incident because a catastrophic engine failure and sudden loss of propulsion in a nearly new vehicle at highway speed could place the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk.

NHTSA ODI #11754751

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2026
Engine

Driving on [XXX] in Missouri, on the way to Kentucky for business. Outside of St. Robert, motor started knocking and losing power. AC quit, knocking got worse the power loss continued. I limped it to the top of the hill with hazards on, pulled off the interstate on a large shoulder, not safe. could not stand in the ditch due…

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Driving on [XXX] in Missouri, on the way to Kentucky for business. Outside of St. Robert, motor started knocking and losing power. AC quit, knocking got worse the power loss continued. I limped it to the top of the hill with hazards on, pulled off the interstate on a large shoulder, not safe. could not stand in the ditch due to all the ticks, stood in front of the car then it started raining. Oncoming traffic started getting very close due to low visibility/heavy rain. Tow truck arrived in 2 hours. Towed to Thompson Cadillac in Springfield, cost me extra since it was beyond 100 Miles. Diagnosed as Engine Failure, will be 3 months in the shop, and i get a Buick subcompact as my rental, all they would approve. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11746628

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2026
EngineSteering

The car engine stopped on the highway while driving. Wouldn’t turn back on all of my four children were on the car.

NHTSA ODI #11741786

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Engine lost power on steep grade hill with kids in the car on our way to Tahoe putting us all at risk

NHTSA ODI #11721226

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2026
Engine

I had been traveling on the freeway for about 3 hours when I decided to exit for a quick stop. While on the exit ramp, I was stopped about six cars back from the traffic light. When the cars inched forward I went to do the same and noticed there was no movement when I took my foot off the break. I pushed on the gas a little bit …

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I had been traveling on the freeway for about 3 hours when I decided to exit for a quick stop. While on the exit ramp, I was stopped about six cars back from the traffic light. When the cars inched forward I went to do the same and noticed there was no movement when I took my foot off the break. I pushed on the gas a little bit more than I normally would have to, and the car eventually jerked forward causing me to have to slam on the brakes. I turned off the auto start-stop feature at this point. The other cars inched forward again a moment later and again my car did not move when I took my foot off the brake. This time I really had to press down on the gas quite a bit and the car jerked forward again causing me to have to slam on the brake to avoid the car in front of me. The light turned green shortly thereafter and all the cars went, but I could not accelerate because the engine completely died. The car still had power so I turned it off and attempted to restart. All I heard was squeaking from the engine and nothing else happened. I waited about 15 minutes and tried it again, but the same thing happened again where the engine wouldn't turn over but there was some squeaking noises. The vehicle was towed to a nearby Buick dealership and when scanned in the service department I was told the issue is with the crankshaft. I've not been provided any details since. There were no warning signs or lights prior to this happening. I was almost rear-ended during this.

NHTSA ODI #11717734

Official recalls

3

26V304000 · Wheels:hub

May 14, 2026

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 deforming over time.

Consequence & remedy

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 for this recall is N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 14, 2026.

26V289000 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

May 7, 2026

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 XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

Consequence & remedy

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 service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

26V114000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Feb 26, 2026

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 Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”

Consequence & remedy

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 customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA26005 · Loss Of Motive Power Due To Engine Failure Post Recall Remedy

Opened Aug 20, 2026 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine

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.