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Engine & cooling

2021 Cadillac Escalade Engine problems

Owners have filed 64 complaints about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 66% of all its complaints, most recently on November 7, 2026. They describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
64
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal / mechanical

25V274000597,571 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

Was driving up the pass to [[redacted]] lost #4 cylinder. Dropped it off at stephen wade cadillac for major engine repair. It took almost 2 months to get it repaired..Mileage was [[redacted]]. I live in [[redacted]] so had to rent a car and leave it there. [redacted]-picked up our escalade after repairs. [redacted]-mileage 80559-heading towards colorado and about an hour outside of grand junction colorado the engine lost oil pressure and seized up. Had it towed to red rock gmc to have an engine replacement....

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Engine replacement took almost 2 weeks. Had to rent a car to get home again. When this 6.2L in the gm vehicles became a issue the cadillac dealership told me that my vehicle wasn't included in the recall but I had all the issues every other engine failure had back to back. Thank you for your consideration in this matter, [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11776444
Engine & cooling

There is internal engine failure. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety as well as others were at risk when the engine started to fail, without warning, causing my car to jolt and briefly lose control of steering. If complete engine failure happened while driving, I would not have control over my car. My life and other's lives would severely be at risk. Car has been inspected and confirmed engine failure. Car is unable to be driven as we do not want to put anyone else at risk or make the problem worse. Car...

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will be towed on Monday. There was absolutely no warning of this occurring. The symptoms first appeared while driving and the incident happened shortly after. There was a loud noise followed by my car being jerked traffic. I immediately pulled over until I could get my car safely home. When inspected the car was ticking with brief knocking noises. The ticking continued while the knocking noise became more abrupt and frequent.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11771824
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle completely stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the Stability, Parking, and Collision warning lights were illuminated alongside several other unknown alerts. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where two failed lifters were initially replaced. However, due to an abnormal sound, the vehicle was returned to the dealer, where the engine was replaced with a remanufactured engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 67,300.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11771119
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Started car and all of sudden shaking, loss of power, flashing engine light and punch of flashing warnings. The car is being towed to cadillac dealer!

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11770018
Engine & cooling

On Saturday August 16, 2026, my family and I were in Laredo Texas and when we were driving on the freeway the motor blew out on my 2021 Cadillac escalade. One month before this occurred the dealership contacted me to replace the oil to a thicker oil because my trucks vin was on the recall and replacing the oil would help fix the issue. Replacing the oil did not fix this issue.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11765623
Engine & cooling

There was knocking and stalling happening. I looked up the issue and saw that there was a recall on all 2021 Cadillac escalades with my exact engine. Unfortunately my vin did fall in the recall but I have the same issues and now my car has been at the service station for almost 2 weeks trying to figure this out and get the situation taken care of.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11764394
Engine & cooling

The same exact engine make and model was recalled and mine didnt fall under it but I am having the same exact issues. And now my car is in the shop and im having to pay an outlandish amount of money to get my car fixed from a known recall on my exact vehicle and engine.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11763552
Engine & cooling

The engine started clicking and rumbling out of no where. I have done every maintenance protocol since buying and was told there was a recall on all of these engines. Somehow mine is not covered in the recall?

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11763125
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Driving my 2021 Escalade on interstate and engine began emitting sudden, loud metallic tapping. Oil pressure dropped off and a reduced power warning came on HUD. Acceleration dropped off, forcing him to coast dangerously across three lanes of traffic to the shoulder. Coasted to dealership - -somehow the VIN didn't fall within the 2021-2024 recall despite exhibiting the exact same failure. Catastrophic engine failure needing full engine replacement.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11759568
Engine & cooling

Vehicle was sent the dealership 4 times since 2024 for leaking oil. Was told it was a rear main seal each time. Dealership said they replaced it and 2 weeks later the vehicle leaks again. It is now at the dealership and they tell us the crankshaft failed.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11759323
Engine & cooling

Bought a 2021 Escalade and at 50,000 miles it turned off at the middle of intersection while riding with my kids taking them to basketball. I had it towed to Cadillac they said it needed a new battery I left with new battery and broke down on the interstate while trying to pick up kids from school. I then had the car towed back to shop where they then said two days later I needed a new motor and that my warranty would not cover that and I'd have to pay 25,000-30....even though I just bought the car for 100,000....i...

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towed it to RK Chevrolet where I waited for Over a YEAR. I had to buy a used car because I was never offered or able to use a loaner. My Cadilliac then got hit at the shop by a uber driver and the whole front in had to be fixed. I got my car back in November 2025 it's now August 2026 9 months later it is back in the shop for motor and transmission issues with check engine light on. I am a hard working mother and I have spent more money on a car in my life. As a mother with kids to not have a car is a problem but the worst is the lack of help I have received. I would love any help in what I should do as this has been a nightmare. Please send or give me any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11758776
Engine & cooling

On the day I was driving my 2021 Escalade had completely stopped in the middle of traffic , the vehicle was looked over by a certified mechanic and stated that it was at the full level of oil 0w-20 as stated to be put in by gm on the oil cap he stated that the motor L87 which is in my vehicle is under recall for this reason it the motor has put I and my child in complete danger in the middle of a busy street with the vehicle unable to move at all I stay on top of all vehicle maintenance and all recalls and was not...

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informed that this motor was under recall for seizure I would like for the NHSTA to place this vehicle motor and others that are not informed of this information to please notify and rectify the issue because this has put me and my child and me being a pregnant mom in complete danger due to GM .i had no symptoms or problems or lights messages on my dash board the vehicle just abruptly stopped and scared me and my child .

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11758736
Engine & cooling

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11758533
Engine & cooling

On 7/14/26, I scheduled Escalade to be serviced at local dealership (MT) when A/C went out on drivers/middle vents and I noticed a faint ticking noise under hood. Was told engine lifters were damaged & needed to be replaced. Service was completed 7/21 and I picked it up that evening. On [[redacted]] my husband and I departed for San Diego; stayed overnight in St George UT. On [[redacted]] around [[redacted]] pm, I was driving in second from left lane on [[redacted]] San Bernadino area. I braked quickly as traffic...

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from far left lane merged right to avoid debris from a refrigerator that had shattered all over the highway. The Escalade engine failed and shut off without warning or any indicators. I tried several times & could not restart the vehicle; therefore I could not shift the vehicle into Neutral so it could at least be pushed off the highway. My husband immediately called 9-1-1 and requested assistance. I frantically searched the internet for a way to shift to neutral when there is no power to the vehicle, and discovered the manual neutral override is under the vehicle. It was impossible for us to attempt that in this situation. All we could do was sit in the middle of the freeway with our hazard lights on and pray while we waited for law enforcement to arrive while heavy fast-moving traffic flew around us, honking and cursing at us to "get out of the way". This was a very perilous situation and our lives were endangered. We were helpless until CHP officers arrived on scene, followed by a tow company. The vehicle was towed to the closest dealer service center. We were told four days later that the entire engine needed to be replaced. It remains at the CA dealership while we fight with GM Warranty to have it shipped to MT. If the engine failure recall was dealt with appropriately as promised by GM, this would have been avoided altogether. **Note: Escalade passed engine recall inspection 10/9/25; was 'upgraded' to 40W oil. Regular service/oil changes completed 1/23/26 and 6/8/26. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11754806
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while approaching a red light and slowing down, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact...

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was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11751066
Engine & cooling

Accelerated onto a 4-lane major highway and lost most engine power and many warning lights came on. I lost most vehicle power merging onto a 4 lane highway around other vehicles. I was able to get the car stopped car safely on side of the road and cut off for one minute. There was a noticeable rattlling noise in the engine compartment and severly reduced power. No lights regarding engine were previously available. Got the vehicle to dealer service center. Below is their report. "engine misfire detected. checked...

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misfire data, all cylinder has recorded misfires with cylinder #4 being the most at 23,316. will have to remove bank 2 valve cover for inspection of rocker arms along with push rods. after removing valve cover no visible issues. started vehicle and the scraping/ticking noise is very audible. all rocker arms are moving. when touching cylinder #4 exhaust valve rocker arm can feel the roughness of the noise. which is indication of failed valve lifter or camshaft lobe. estimate provided. labor op 4067490 engine replacement 18.4 add 1.2 evacuate and recharge r1234yf a/c system. old engine #N1203011CU8X0269. new engine #19420611 007507775 1110000000000X. service completed."

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11749989
Engine & cooling

Following a recent oil change, I started the vehicle back up to drive approximately an hour to another city and the engine was making a horrible "knocking" sound. Took the vehicle back to the dealership and it was confirmed catastrophic engine failure which fell under GM's known 6.2L engine issues. My safety and my children's safety were put at risk because had I not drove directly to the dealership instead of getting on the highway as planned, the vehicle could have died at highway speeds posing a serious safety risk. No warning signs, no engine light, nothing prior to the failure.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11746855
Engine & cooling

Engine failure while driving on highway at 70 mpg.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11744332
Engine & cooling

My family and I were returning from a trip, and the engine just died in the middle of the street at 2 AM. No noises from engine or anything, but it just stopped out of the blue.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11733938
Engine & cooling

On 4/17/2026 in Tomball Texas I experienced a sudden loss of engine propulsion while driving on a 4 lane road. The battery had voltage, hazard lights and radio worked normally. The car rolled to a stop in a traffic lane as this road has no shoulder and was put into park. The push button ignition was pressed but no restart of engine. The car was towed to the dealer that same day and told me the engine was "seized" and they have seen many of the same engines with the same problem. This car is not under the current recall for the L87 but those a few months to years from the recall lot have a current NHTSA investigation ongoing.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11732045
Engine & coolingFuel system

There was a recall on the L87 propulsion. The dealer changed the oil and said it was fixed. I left the dealer and the issue still persists. They refuse to address it.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11725927
Seats & seat beltsEngine & coolingDriver assistance

I scheduled service a service appointment with rick hendrick chevrolet in naples, fl. After leaving the vehicle as scheduled the service manager refused to perform the safety covered recalls and stated due to the issue of the vehicle having a branded title.

Filed Incident Seat belts · Engine · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11724838
Engine & cooling

On 2/21/26, while driving approximately 60 mph, my car experienced a sudden loss of propulsion. The vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral and began decelerating, displaying a prompt instructing me to press the start button. I was able to coast to the shoulder and avoid a collision, but the incident occurred in active highway traffic on a Saturday afternoon and posed a significant safety risk. The vehicle had completed manufacturer recall service related to engine propulsion concerns less than 90 days prior to...

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this event and had PASSED the associated safety checks. Approximately 5,000 miles had been driven since that service without prior warning signs. Given the nature of the failure and its occurrence after recall completion, I am concerned that the recall remedy may not adequately address the safety defect. A loss of propulsion at highway speed could reasonably result in serious injury or death. Cadillac has NOW agreed to replace my engine, but they didn't replace it when they had the chance in November. The recall parameters failed me.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11720374
Engine & cooling

GM issued a special coverage in bulletin N252508341 for the coolant control valve in my vehicle. This issue happened to my vehicle exactly as the symptoms are stated in the bulletin: check engine light, P1098 code, fan running at high speed with the engine on and off, and reduced acceleration. I took the vehicle to the dealer to be covered, and they say my vehicle is not covered by the bulletin. To be clear, the bulletin covers 2021-2023 Cadillac Escalades with the LM2 3.0L Duramax engine. My vehicle is a 2021...

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Cadillac Escalade with a LM2 3.0L Duramax engine. Which had all the issues and symptoms listed in the special coverage. Yet, they say it is not covered. This seems incredibly shady. And very wrong. Why in the world would they not be covering my vehicle? It seems unsafe to be driving a vehicle that has reduced acceleration, a fan constantly running at high speed, and a check engine light for malfunctioning parts. Faulty parts from GM which they have already acknowledged are bad.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11720079
Engine & cooling

Rod/Main bearing Debris Causing block damage Engine needs rebuild/ replace

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11719087

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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