2025 Cadillac Escalade

The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade. While driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The contact was able to pull over safely onto the service road. The oil pressure and temperature messages were displayed at the time of the failure. Upon research, the failure was linked to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about a buyback; however, the manufacturer declined to buy back the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. The VIN was not available.

I am reporting serious and repeated safety defects involving loss of vehicle control in my 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum. The vehicle has experienced multiple incidents of uncommanded braking (“phantom braking”) while driving at approximately 45 mph with no driver input and no obstacles present. The vehicle has also slammed on the brakes while reversing into a parking space, then became locked and would not move until shifted into PARK and reset, leaving me stuck in the roadway. In another incident, while stopped at a traffic light with the vehicle in DRIVE, the vehicle shifted itself into PARK without any driver input. Additionally, the vehicle has produced uncommanded system activity while powered off overnight, followed by a “Service 4 Wheel Drive” warning. These incidents represent loss of vehicle control and create a serious risk of collision, injury, or death. The issues have occurred multiple times, are intermittent, and have not been repaired despite dealer inspection. The vehicle is unsafe to operate.

On Tuesday, [XXX] at approximately [XXX], my 2025 Cadillac Escalade (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a sudden and complete failure of multiple critical safety and control systems while in motion. My wife was driving downhill toward a stoplight with our two toddlers in the vehicle when the incident occurred. Without warning, all dashboard alerts illuminated simultaneously, including brake, engine, collision, and steering warnings. At the same time, the vehicle lost braking capability, power steering assist, electronic gear shifting, and emergency brake functionality. The vehicle continued moving downhill with no functional means of controlled stopping. Because the vehicle was approaching an intersection at the bottom of the hill, a collision would have been unavoidable if the traffic signal had been red. The only way to stop the vehicle was to leave the roadway and pull into dirt, using terrain resistance to bring the vehicle to a stop. The vehicle became inoperable and required towing. This was not a degraded performance or warning condition; it was a complete loss of control over a moving vehicle. The failure placed the occupants, including young children, at immediate risk of serious injury or death. The vehicle was towed to North County Buick Cadillac GMC Service and remains under evaluation. A GM safety escalation case has been opened (GM Case #[XXX]). Due to the severity of this incident, trust in the vehicle’s safety is permanently lost INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle showed error on the dash for all various systems. It told me those systems required service. I parked the truck and it locked me out of it. OnStar could not open the doors, they kept telling me the truck was unlocked. My app could not open the doors. I called roadside and they showed me how to remove the cover on drive side handle and insert the manual key. The lock turned but the vehicle would not unlock due to the automatic doors. We had to insert an airbag and Jimmy open the door by hooking the interior door handle. The issue is this vehicle will lock you out of your car in an emergency. With the key you cannot unlock the doors. Luckily I only had dinner stuck in the car. I have little children and my fear is they will be locked in the truck if this happens. In the event of an emergency there is no way to get into the truck without smashing windows. The running boards in this mode disappear which makes it even more challenging to break the window and get over and inside. This is a very serious and dangerous design by Cadillac on the Escalade 2025.

Component/system that failed; availability for inspection GM 6.2-liter V8 (L87) gasoline engine and cooling system. At ~4,000 miles the engine suffered a catastrophic internal failure and the radiator failed concurrently. Dealer diagnosed “engine failure” and replaced the entire long block with an OEM unit and replaced the radiator. Repair orders and the vehicle are available for inspection at the selling/servicing Cadillac dealership; I can provide copies on request. How safety was put at risk The vehicle lost normal operation unexpectedly and required a tow. A sudden loss of propulsion and cooling can cause stalling in traffic, overheating, and loss of power-assist systems, which creates a crash hazard. My family member was stranded and unable to move the vehicle for approximately an hour, increasing exposure to traffic and environmental danger. We no longer feel safe driving a vehicle that already experienced an early engine failure and is being refitted with the same 6.2L design. Has the problem been reproduced/confirmed by a dealer? Yes. Cadillac dealer confirmed engine failure and completed engine and radiator replacement under warranty. Service Director acknowledged they have seen similar failures on prior model years that were subject to recall. Has the vehicle/component been inspected by manufacturer/others? Yes. Inspected and repaired by an authorized Cadillac dealer acting for General Motors. I can provide the service director’s email and repair documentation. Warning lamps/messages/symptoms prior to failure Prior to failure the vehicle exhibited overheating and loss of power; then became undriveable and required towing. Engine and coolant system faults were indicated at the time of the incident (exact DTCs not provided to owner). Context/known issues GM has recalled 2021–2024 vehicles with the same 6.2L L87 engine family for internal defects (connecting rod/crank/bearing failures). My 2025 Escalade experienced a substantially similar failure at very

Purchased this vehicle brand new ( 3 miles ), just before Christmas 2024, from Bill Cramer Chevrolet in Panama City FL. We just hit the 7200 mile mark and took vehicle in for 1st service with 10% or so remaining on the oil indicator. This is my wife’s vehicle, so I do not drive nor hear it crank in the morning, or come home in afternoons very often. Since the service I noticed yesterday the engine sounding “different” than from initial purchase. Didn’t think much of it, just figured a new gizmo or gadget doing its thing that we weren’t aware of. Well this evening [XXX] I went to move it into the driveway. As soon as the vehicle started I knew instantly something wasn’t right. Had that classic “lifter tap” that eventually quieted down after 30-45 seconds but never fully went away. Previously there was no engine noise when starting, only the rumble of the exhaust and compressor kicking on for air ride. I let the truck go through its cold start/high idle sequence. Once at regular idle 5-700 rpm, I noticed a few sounds coming from the bottom end that really bothered me. I shut the truck off, let it sit for about 20-30 minutes and videoed the start up and noise. I just want to notate this, in case this now becomes the classic GM lifter failure. I will take another video in the morning with the vehicle truly cold start. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 77 MPH in the left lane, the vehicle lost motive power and shut down. The driver was able to move to the right lane and pulled over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called OnStar for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about a buyback and the lemon law due to not being able to replace the engine in a timely manner. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 953.

Was on the interstate driving 75 mph, with my daughter, her friend, my wife. And the car cut off, and dealership said engine locked. 45 minutes prior i was on a snowy mountain road, and this vehicle has 939 miles on it, one month old. Now i am reading about the investigation, and feel this is negligence on gmc. This could have been a disaster and life changing for me. I dont care if its a 75k vehicle or 135k like mine, this is dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the vehicle is currently at the dealership! Told my wife to start recording in case something happened.