Fifth generation · first-year watch
2026 Cadillac Escalade, day 247
- 33complaints since Jan 28, 2026
- 3recalls
- 0involved a crash
- 5,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Changed since August
- 6 new complaints in September, mostly about engine, fuel and propulsion and electrical.
- Nothing filed yet on sticky steering, transmission failure or fire.
- 20th most complaints of the 79 2026 models on this site.
What is your Escalade doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2026 model year.
What's been reported
NHTSA's own component codes. One report can cite several.
- Engine32
- Electrical3
- Fuel and propulsion3
- Transmission and drivetrain3
- Other2
- Collision avoidance1
- Brakes1
- Structure1
Problems so far
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 14 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 5 reports
Recent reports
“Engine failure and replaced. Received vehicle back and placed under 2k miles on the new engine and 3 times now it has shut off while in motion and required a restart.”
Filed Sep 8, 2026
“Engine failior. Engine lost power on highway and lhad to limp to safety in traffic. With my children in the vehicle.”
Filed Sep 8, 2026
“First engine failed (6.2L) at 4900 miles and the was replaced. The second engine failed at 6000 miles and I am on my third engine now.”
Filed Aug 31, 2026
“My engine locked up with only 9k miles on it. Left me stranded in 109 degree heat. Had it towed to local dealer over 3 weeks ago they determined engine was bad and ordered new engine from GM but the engine is on back order. I need GM to buy my vehicle back so I can replace it I have nothing to drive.”
Filed Aug 27, 2026
At a glance
- Next to the 2024
- The 2026 is too new for a fair per-year comparison. It has 33 complaints so far; the 2024, on sale longer, has 49.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: engine failure, named in 27 of the 33 complaints (82%). Engine failure tends to show up early. Of the 14 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 7,000 miles and a quarter under about 3,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- None of the 33 complaints reports a crash, a fire or an injury.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as engine failure. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Every complaint so far came in during 2026.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 14, 2026.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
All 3 recalls on the 2026 Cadillac Escalade, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Seeing this on your own car? How to file a complaint with NHTSA
The log
Complaints by the month NHTSA received them, newest first. Blue bars mark a month with a recall or an investigation.
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2026 Cadillac Escalade?
Engine failure, with 27 of the 33 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 7,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2026 Cadillac Escalade problems start?
Of the 15 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 5,000.
How many 2026 Cadillac Escalade complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
None of the 33 complaints reports one.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2026 Cadillac Escalade?
No recall on file for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade is on the same system as engine failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.