Problems · NHTSA complaints
2025 Cadillac Escalade problems
Owners filed 40 complaints about the 2025 Cadillac Escalade with NHTSA between Jan 2025 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (22).
Complaints
40
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine22
- Electrical system10
- Power train6
- Steering3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Service brakes2
- Suspension2
- Exterior lighting2
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Lane departure2
- Structure1
- Wheels1
- Traction control system1
- Seats1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
33
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 33 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
22 reports
“My engine had a malfunction. My safety was put at risk due to not knowing if the vehicle would stop before I was able to safely get it to be checked. The dealer has been confirmed by the dealer as engine failure due to bearing failure. This was determined by metal pieces in the oil pan. There were no warning signs, including no warning lights.”
Electrical system
10 reports
“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]…”
Power train
6 reports
“On XXX, I picked up my 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV, VIN [XXX], from Open Road Cadillac after a replacement 6.2L V8 engine had been installed following failure of the original engine. Approximately one mile after leaving the dealership, the engine temperature rose to approximately 297°F. The vehicle displayed a critical oil-pressure/no-oil warning, coolant leaked from the vehicle, and the replacement engine produced a loud metallic knocking/clanking sound and had difficulty starting. The vehicle could not be safely operated and was returned to the dealership. The dealership subsequently advised me that a coolant hose/component had come off and caused the coolant loss. I was later advised that the vehicle was repaired, had completed approximately a 15-mile road test, and was ready for pickup. My safety concern remains that I have not been provided documentation showing that the oil-pressure warning and loud metallic engine knock were fully diagnosed or that internal engine damage caused by the extreme overheating and/or oil-pressure event was ruled out. I have video evidence documenting the knocking sound and photographs documenting the incident. Cadillac/GM has…”
Steering
3 reports
“On October 1, 2026, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of steering control while I was driving. The steering wheel became mechanically disengaged from steering control and rotated freely. I was able to stop the vehicle narrowly avoiding a collision. The vehicle was not driveable and in the flow of traffic, and safety was of the most concern. Law enforcement was called via OnStar Roadside assistance to manage traffic while I awaited a tow truck. It was towed to the authorized Cadillac dealership. The vehicle is presently in the dealership's possession awaiting diagnosis and repair. There were no warnings, messages or other indicators that anything was wrong with the vehicle, it simply had a catastrophic steering failure while driving.”
Vehicle speed control
3 reports
“On April 7, 2026 I was driving my daughter to school when my 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Frunk (Front Trunk) opening while driving. This renders the EV completely inoperable and disables the vehicle. I pulled over and contacted Road Side assistance and had my vehicle towed to Cadillac of Beverly Hills. It was repaired over the course of 3 days and I was assured it was fixed. Today, on August 9, 2026 the exact same situation occurred. The frunk opened while I was driving the vehicle with my wife and daughter leaving us stranded for 2 hours while we waited for road side assistance to tow the car. This is a serious safety issue as then the front trunk (Frunk) opens, it cannot be closed and it blocks all visibility and the vehicle does into shut down mode and you cannot drive it. It is a serious safety concern for me, my family, and the drivers around me.”
Service brakes
2 reports
“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…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.