2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 64 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve engine and power train.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 64 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ENGINE
28 43.8%
POWER TRAIN
11 17.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 9.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 7.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 6.2%
Quick Insights
The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 43.8% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 12 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 64 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 44% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV are ENGINE (28), POWER TRAIN (11), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 44 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 12 of 12 systems
ENGINE
28 Reports44% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back 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 but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 700.
8/28/2023
engine failure on the freeway no warning, no noise just all of sudden engine failure went to body shop, and they immd found out need to REPLACE engine, and they have the engine in stock. meaning, GM is aware this can has engine problem, thats why they have engine in stock and NO recall or alert notified customers. imagine what happened if i was drivng 80 miles per hour and all of sudden lost control requested car buy back from Cadiallac, they refused without any reason provided.
2/1/2024
POWER TRAIN
11 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Engine light is on solid. Veichile did stall while driving at Highway and vehicle will shake stop at red light. Noise when vehicle moving.
11/4/2022
UNKNOWN. The car decelerated on the freeway from 80 mph by automatically going into N. Once we managed to pull over to the shoulder, the car would not turn on again or shift gears. The dealership thinks it's an engine failure and they have multiple escalades in the shop for the same issue.
12/4/2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The rear park gridlines are not getting activated. Dealer mentioned that there is a bug in an infotainment system but its been open from last 6-9 months and not resolved. This really affecting my parking ability. This should be a safety concern and should be resolved asap.
7/11/2023
UNKNOWN. The car decelerated on the freeway from 80 mph by automatically going into N. Once we managed to pull over to the shoulder, the car would not turn on again or shift gears. The dealership thinks it's an engine failure and they have multiple escalades in the shop for the same issue.
12/4/2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
No Grid Lines on back up camera or forward camera views. The grid line option is grayed out and unavailable. A hourglass icon appears constantly as indicating an issue. This makes reversing into parking spaces very difficult.
12/6/2022
I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2023 CADILLAC ESCALADE AND MANY MORE CUSTOMERS HAVE STATED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR NEW CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CAMERA FRONT/REAR GUIDELINES/ ARE MISSING MAKING PARKING AND OTHER THINGS VERY DANGEROUS TO COMSUMERS AND PEDESTRIANS. PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS SINCE THESE VEHICLES ARE BEING SOLD LIKE THIS AND GM HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS YET THEY DO NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
2/10/2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I was on the highway while cruising with a speed of 65 to 70 mph all of a sudden vehicle started to shake and lost control speed went down to 20mph on the highway check engine light came up foward collision, Stability, traction control and engine died started again stall, had to tow the suv to the dealership
5/10/2025
I was driving my vehicle on the highway at approx 55 mph. Without warning my vehicleâs engine failed and the vehicle went into neutral. I had to coast until the emergency shoulder was available as power steering was dwindling. As I pulled into the shoulder the wheel locked. The vehicleâs engine could not be restarted and the vehicle was towed to the Cadillac Dealership. I feared for my life as cars were behind me at 55 mph or higher when my engine went out. I nearly didnât make it into the shoulder before the vehicle stopped completely.
5/11/2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start, and the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal cranking sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected because the recall remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
6/24/2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure recurred, and the contact parked the vehicle due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
7/22/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: AUTOMATIC SYSTEM BRAKING
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the auto brake engaged sporadically. The contact stated there were no objects nearby to have caused the auto brake system to activate. Additionally, the contact stated the vehicle was turned off and the transmission was inadvertently shifted into neutral (N). The contact stated that after disabling the traction control and stability control features, the function restarted while driving above 20 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,506.
5/8/2023
SUSPENSION
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Back in April of 2024 when the truck only had about 16,500 miles on it the engine went out causing steering to become heavy and braking to become very hard. This happened on a highway going about 65-70mph. The should was very narrow causing the truck to kind of protrude into the roadway, almost got hit by several cars, trucks with trailer going by. Called the on star folks and they were very poor to respond quickly, they had the police come, however there was an accident that happened further up and he left to tend to that accident. The engine ended up having to be replaced and that took a very long time. Now I have 22k miles on the truck and have had nothing but constant issues with the air ride suspension. I have taken it to two separate Cadillac dealerships and neither fixed the issue, they said they fixed the issue but I keep having the issue. Now, what the truck is doing is basically and randomly going from over inflation to under inflation. When it over inflates the truck feels too heavy and like it wants to topple on the highwayâ¦so I have to slow way down. When the truck under inflates the ride becomes unbearably rough. This all happens randomly with no input from me while driving, a message simply pops up on the screen saying service leveling system vehicle either too high or too low. I now have taken the truck to a Chevrolet dealership to see if they canât resolve the issue.
1/18/2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
my wife was driving down the road late at night and the engine turned off and all the lights inside the car (dash lights, etc) and outside the car turned off...it was super scary. no warning lights came on before this happened...there was no warning given by the car that something was wrong. Got the car to the dealership and the dealer diagnosed it with a blown engine. this failure could have caused death or injury if there were other cars/people around.
2/8/2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
my 2023 Cadillac Escalade vehicle broke down while I was driving on the highway this past Wednesday. While driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted from Drive (D) to Neutral (N), and after that, I was unable to shift back to Drive or start the vehicle. The car was then towed to Cadillac of Silver Spring in Maryland for further inspection. I was informed the engine may be locked, but other technicians suggest it could be an ECM or electrical issue. The vehicle is still under warranty and only has 12000miles.
4/19/2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I was on the highway while cruising with a speed of 65 to 70 mph all of a sudden vehicle started to shake and lost control speed went down to 20mph on the highway check engine light came up foward collision, Stability, traction control and engine died started again stall, had to tow the suv to the dealership
5/10/2025
STEERING
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start, and the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal cranking sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected because the recall remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
6/24/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Are complaints about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Are complaints about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac Escalade ESV: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 64
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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