Owners have reported 5 crashes and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints83
ENGINE
Owners report frequent engine failures in the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, often resulting in the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while in motion. Complaints commonly describe symptoms such as loud clicking or grinding noises, sudden loss of power, and the inability to restart the engine. These issues appear to occur at varying mileages, with some incidents reported under 30,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as multiple owners describe situations where the engine failure led to dangerous conditions on highways, though only one complaint involved a crash. Buyers should be aware that many of these failures are associated with a recall related to defective engine components, and delays in obtaining replacement parts have been noted.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints25
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade frequently report issues related to engine failures and transmission problems. Common symptoms include loud engine noises, loss of power, sudden stalling, and inability to accelerate or shift gears. These issues often occur at varying mileages, with some incidents reported as early as 14,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as some complaints describe complete engine shutdowns on highways, leading to dangerous situations with loss of control. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated risks, particularly the reported lack of timely repairs or resolutions from dealerships.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent propulsion failures in the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, often occurring without warning while driving at highway speeds. Typical symptoms include sudden loss of engine power, steering assist, and braking capabilities, sometimes accompanied by dashboard messages like "Restart Engine." These incidents are commonly noted around 24,000 to 33,000 miles. Two complaints involve crashes, one resulting in injury, highlighting significant safety implications due to the abrupt loss of control. Additionally, some owners mention electrical issues, such as auto-locking doors trapping occupants, and persistent infotainment bugs affecting parking assist features.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade frequently report issues related to engine performance and cooling, often linked to a recall that lacks available repair parts. Common symptoms include unexpected engine shutdowns, abnormal noises such as clicking or squealing, and excessive oil consumption. Many complaints note these problems occur at mileages ranging from approximately 3,000 to 67,000 miles. Safety concerns arise as some owners experience loss of power or vehicle shutdowns while driving, though no reports of crashes or fires are mentioned. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially if the vehicle has not yet received the necessary recall repairs.
Owner complaints8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade frequently report missing grid lines on backup and forward cameras, which they say complicates parking and maneuvering. Complaints also highlight issues with the "auto hold" feature, which does not remain engaged by default, leading to unexpected vehicle movement. Some owners describe engine-related problems, including rattling and a lack of acceleration, with one case involving engine seizure at approximately 9,600 miles. Additionally, there are reports of trailer brake controller failures, causing trailer brakes to become disabled. These issues are noted to have potential safety implications, particularly in terms of vehicle control and braking effectiveness.
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report issues with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade's service brakes, particularly unintended brake activation and sudden loss of propulsion. Complaints frequently mention the brakes locking up or engaging without driver input, often accompanied by "Service Brake" messages and excessive brake pad and rotor wear. These issues are reported alongside complete engine shutdowns, where the vehicle loses power and control, forcing drivers to steer to safety without braking or acceleration capabilities. Such incidents typically occur at highway speeds, creating significant safety risks, including potential collisions or loss of control. These problems are noted at varying mileages, with some owners experiencing them as early as 18,969 miles, and are often linked to the vehicle's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners report issues with the steering system of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, including abnormal steering noises and repeated steering component replacements. Symptoms such as a cranking sound while turning and persistent steering noise after repairs are frequently mentioned. Additionally, multiple complaints highlight catastrophic engine failures requiring full engine replacements, often following a recall remedy involving an oil change. Some complaints describe sudden loss of power and control, posing safety risks such as near-collisions. These issues are reported across a range of mileages, with some incidents occurring shortly after purchase or repair.
Owner complaints3
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Owners of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade report issues with the back over prevention system, particularly involving the rear camera and auto brake functions. Complaints frequently mention that the reverse camera exhibits missing gridlines and displays a blue hourglass, which reduces visibility when reversing. Additionally, owners describe the auto brake engaging unexpectedly without nearby obstacles, and one report indicates this occurred at a mileage of 1,506. These issues are reported shortly after vehicle delivery, with some owners noting problems within the first few months. Safety implications include potential risks of rear collisions or pedestrian accidents due to impaired visibility and unpredictable braking behavior.
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade report issues with the suspension system, particularly involving the front upper control arm and the air ride suspension. One owner describes a sudden failure of the front upper control arm at unspecified mileage, resulting in wheel detachment while driving, which poses a significant safety risk. Another owner experiences recurring problems with the air ride suspension at around 22,000 miles, where the system alternates between over-inflation and under-inflation, affecting vehicle stability and ride quality. These issues occur without prior warning, and the air ride suspension problem is accompanied by a dashboard message indicating a service requirement. The documented incidents highlight potential safety implications, including loss of control and increased risk of accidents.
