Reliable Auto DB

2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV holds 88 complaints after 4 years, a rate of 14 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 8 Escalade ESV years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts, Lamp, and Rear.

2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

88

Per year

14

Recalls

4

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (62 of 88), then Powertrain (20) and Fuel and propulsion system (11). The most filings arrived in 2026 (45 of 88). Those filings include 3 that report a crash.

Next to 2022 and 2024

The 2022 Escalade ESV has 56 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2024 has 22 complaints, 7 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2024.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall engine and cooling, engine, internal engine parts 2025-04-24 · NHTSA campaign 25V274000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Recall hydraulic brakes, low brake fluid warning, lamp 2024-09-12 · NHTSA campaign 24V674000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Remedy The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
Recall suspension, rear 2023-09-20 · NHTSA campaign 23V642000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
Remedy Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.
Recall exterior lighting, lighting control module, software 2022-12-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V903000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.

Complaints by component (88 total)

Engine
62
Powertrain
20
Fuel and propulsion system
11
Electrical system
9
Engine and engine cooling
7
Forward collision avoidance
4
Suspension
4
Service brakes
3
Exterior lighting
2
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Air bags
1
Back-over prevention
1
Wheels
1
Show 7 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

220224202332024342025452026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV, equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine, developed an abnormal engine knocking/clicking noise despite previously receiving the remedy for GM engine safety recall N252494000, NHTSA campaign…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-24
  • "About 11pm Driving 70 on freeway started feeling pull back and then started to hear a knock noise. So turned down the music and the knock noise was getting louder as I was driving so I went to the right lane as I went…"
    Suspension, Powertrain, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-19
  • "Date: XXX Time: 10:30 am approx. Location: [XXX] Vehicle: Cadillac Escalade VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 25,572 While driving normally, the vehicle experienced sudden engine failure. No prior warning lights provided adequate…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-09
  • "Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to report a serious vehicle safety concern involving my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The vehicle is currently displaying the following warning messages:…"
    Suspension · filed 2026-09-02
  • "The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while idling, the engine was shaking, the vehicle stalled, and the vehicle lost power. The contact restarted the…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-09-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

T1 generation, 2021–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 full synthetic (6.2L V8 gas; ~8.0 qt with filter per 2021 owner’s manual—diesel differs) , 8 qt capacity
Tire size 275/50R22, 275/60R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 25V-274 covers certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine, and also Escalade and other GM full-size trucks and SUVs: dealers inspect the engine and, as necessary, repair or replace it; vehicles that pass inspection receive higher-viscosity oil and related updates. Recall 22V-617 covers certain 2021-2022 Escalade ESV vehicles with third-row seats among other GM SUVs: dealers inspect third-row seat belt buckle rivets and replace buckle assemblies as necessary.

Compare

Previous year 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Next year 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV See every Cadillac Escalade ESV model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV holds 88 complaints after 4 years, a rate of 14 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 8 Escalade ESV years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Internal engine parts, Lamp, and Rear.

What are common problems with a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (62 of 88), then Powertrain (20) and Fuel and propulsion system (11). The most filings arrived in 2026 (45 of 88). Those filings include 3 that report a crash.

Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 Escalade ESV has 56 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2024 has 22 complaints, 7 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV been recalled?

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Owners have filed 88 complaints about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV with NHTSA.

What oil does a Cadillac Escalade ESV take?

Gas 6.2L V8 models use 0W-20 full synthetic; the 2021+ owner’s manual lists about 8.0 quarts with filter for that engine. Diesel capacity differs—check the Duramax supplement.

What does recall 25V-274 cover on Escalade ESV?

Certain 2021-2024 Escalade ESV vehicles with a 6.2L V8 gas engine (and related Escalade/GM trucks): dealers inspect the engine and, as necessary, repair or replace it; vehicles that pass inspection receive higher-viscosity oil and related updates.

Which Escalade ESV generations does this site track?

K2 (2017-2020) and T1 (2021-on).