2023 Cadillac Escalade Esv

On 5/8/2024, at approximately 18,969 miles, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of engine power while driving on the highway in the rain with my family inside. The engine died, the vehicle lost all propulsion creating an immediate and severe safety hazard. Dealer diagnosis revealed a catastrophic crankshaft main bearing failure, requiring a full engine replacement. Since the engine repair, the vehicle has exhibited persistent intermittent/unintended brake activation. The brakes engage without driver input causing "Service Brake" messages, excessive and premature brake pad/rotor wear (replaced three times in a matter of months due to heat and dust from repeated activation), grinding, squealing, and locked caliper incidents. The vehicle has been inspected by two Cadillac Dealerships without any remedy except replacing warranty parts. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the issue is likely related to the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. To drive safely, we must disable the collision avoidance and traction control features. This has been reported on multiple repair orders and matches complaints from other 2023-2025 Escalade and GM SUV owners. Total documented downtime since first failure exceeds 160+ calendar days. Problems remained unresolved despite warranty repairs, software updates, recalls, and the L87 engine replacement. The sudden engine failure endangered my family and the ongoing phantom braking creates risk of collision or loss of control, especially at highway speeds. I have been forced to disable critical safety systems to prevent unintended braking. This vehicle is directly affected by the L87 defect that prompted federal recall and investigations. Please include my complaint in the ongoing EA25007 and RQ26001 investigations and consider my case in any further actions regarding the adequacy of GM's remedies. Please contact me for dealer repair orders and independent mechanic findings.

On Saturday 2/14/26 our Escalade was making a light ticking noise. We made an appointment to bring it in for service, earliest appointment was 2/17/26. On the evening of 2/14 the vehicle died on the freeway and had to be towed to the local dealer after it would not start, Crest View Cadillac in Rochester Hills, MI. Our service write Tony Griffin, confirmed verbally on 2/16 that the vehicle most likely will need an engine replacement, but had to be inspected first. I emailed him on 2/19 as I had no update and he let me know it needs more diagnostics but it will be getting an engine replacement. As of 2/21 the vehicle is still sitting in the parking lot with the battery now dead. I was given a loaner vehicle that is not at all suitable or nearly equivalent to my current vehicle. I have been given an electric Cadillac Lyriq and have no means to charge it.

Vehicle was taken in to L87 engine recall in Sept 2025. Passed said inspection on September 29, 2025 and new higher viscosity oil was put in the vehicle. Feb 14, 2026 - driving the vehicle down the highway at 70mph. Car shifts to neutral, engine turns off and losses propulsion. Manage to get to the shoulder of the highway. Vehicle would not restart or turn on. We were traveling with our 3 small children in the car. Stranded on the side of the highway until a family member could come pick us up. Took 18hours through Cadillac roadside assistance to find a tow truck. After 3 calls to the local dealership, 2 days later I was told the engine failed due to the L87 recall and a full engine replacement is required.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer at 51,000 miles, and stated that the engine would be inspected, and if necessary, repaired or replaced. Additionally, the vehicles that passed the inspection, dealers would add higher viscosity oil, install a 6-oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the Owner's manual. After driving 16,000 additional miles, approximately 6 months later, the engine started knocking, and the vehicle accelerated slowly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who had inspected the engine. The contact stated that when the engine was inspected, it caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired under the recall due to the recall being considered closed, and the title was now considered a Salvage Title, even though the vehicle did not have a Salvage Title when the engine was inspected. The engine was ordered and was scheduled to be replaced at the Owner's expense. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

For the second time, engine stalled out and car would not start. Going 75 miles per hour on major highway on cruise control and engine just stopped in the middle of the road. Major hazard and crash risk, unable to restart car and had to be towed. Trafffic was dodging vehicle and it was a major safety hazard. Approximately 7 months ago, the car would not start and had to be towed; we reported the incident to dealership, were told there was nothing wrong and there was no diagnosis. We inquired about the engine recall at that time and were told our vehicle was no affected. Our issues are exactly the same ones being stated as part of the recall for the same make/model/year for engine failure or this vehicle. Lives were put in danger today and we are fortunate there was not crash given location and speed of vehicle when engine failed abruptly. Towed to dealership, car remains there without diagnosis and we are no longer comfortable driving vehicle.

While driving my 2023 Cadillac Escalade (approx. 42,308 miles), the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power while accelerating on a busy highway. Engine power shut down without warning. I was able to pull to the shoulder, but the vehicle then became non-responsive and would not restart. The failure appears related to the electrical/charging system (12V battery, battery management system, alternator, or related modules). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This failure placed my family and others at serious risk. The loss of propulsion occurred in traffic, creating a collision hazard. After stopping, the vehicle had no heat and limited power while unable to start leaving us stranded on the shoulder of a heavily traveled highway in 10-degree weather. My two toddlers were in the vehicle, creating additional risk from traffic exposure and cold. This was a repeat incident. Approximately two weeks earlier, the vehicle experienced a similar power loss. A Cadillac dealership replaced the 12V battery and stated the issue was resolved. However, on January 22, 2026, I contacted the dealership and provided a video showing abnormal starting behavior, indicating the problem may not have been fixed. I followed up by phone the next day but received no response. Despite this prior repair and warning, the same failure occurred again. There were no clear warning lights or messages immediately prior to the power loss. After the failure, the vehicle was unable to restart. I also attempted to use OnStar, a paid emergency service, but was placed on hold for approximately 30 minutes. Due to unsafe conditions, my wife had to come pick us up to remove our children from danger. This incident involves a repeat loss of power while driving, prior warning signs, and failure of emergency support systems, raising serious safety concerns.

The vehicle experienced a loss of propulsion 2 times when idol at traffic lights due to an uncommanded shift into neutral while stopped at a traffic light, requiring the vehicle to be restarted to regain drive. These events occurred after a longstanding history of front end vibration and grinding noises that have been repeatedly reported to a GM authorized dealer since October 2024. The most recent GM authorized dealer repair order documents the loss-of-propulsion event, metallic oil and states that the issue could not be duplicated, that no root cause was identified, and that engineering could not rule out a connection to known recall-related engine issues after 32 days at the dealer with 198 miles driven. At this time, no corrective repair has been identified, and the condition is intermittent and unpredictable, creating a safety concern when operating the vehicle in traffic. I uploaded some repair orders including one from the first incident in October 2024 and then I uploaded the most recent repair order from January 2026 where they are still unable to replicate the issue or say the car is safe to drive as this is potentially related to the L87 recall per service manager notes . There are several repair attempts in between the original and the extended out of service for loss of propulsion in December and January.

To Whom It May Concern at General Motors, I am writing to express my profound concern, disappointment, and fear following a recent experience with my Cadillac Escalade that has caused me to seriously question the safety, reliability, and future of the Cadillac brand. For important context, the first Cadillac Escalade my family owned was a 2012 model that we purchased used in Ann Arbor. At the time, when we encountered engine issues and various quality concerns, we attributed them to the fact that the vehicle was pre-owned. We assumed wear, prior use, or history explained the problems—and we remained loyal to the brand. Because of that loyalty, we made the decision to purchase a brand-new Cadillac Escalade, bought from LaFontaine Cadillac near Dearborn, Michigan. We bought it during a time when it was hard to find an SUV especially of that size (extended cab needed for strollers and gear). This was my first-ever brand-new vehicle, a milestone purchase as a physcian that I made with the expectation that safety, engineering, and quality would reflect Cadillac’s reputation and price point. Unfortunately, we continue to experience the same quality and engineering issues, and in some cases, issues that are even more concerning. This came after a recall for engine faillure which had us concerned. Most alarming was a recent incident December 11, 2025 in which my vehicle experienced brake failure due solely to a low battery. According to Harvey Cadillac in Grand Rapids, this single issue caused multiple systems to fail, all requiring reprogramming. Learning that something as routine as a low battery could compromise braking and multiple safety-critical systems was terrifying. This was not just inconvenient—it was genuinely scary. I have a lot to live for. My children need me. No vehicle should place a driver in a position where their ability to stop safely is jeopardized by a cascading electronic failure. Beyond this incident, we have quality issues as well.