2022 Cadillac Escalade Problems

What owners report

Nearly all of the sampled complaints for this model year concern the 6.2L V8, with owners describing sudden loss of power, engine seizure, low-oil warnings, or metal debris found during inspection. Many reports came in around 25,000-50,000 miles, and several owners say a failure happened even after recall inspection or engine replacement. A smaller group of complaints covers harsh or failing transmission behavior, coolant leaks, and electrical or connectivity faults.

1. 1
   Engine

   6.2L V8 engine seizure or loss of power while driving

   Mentioned in 40 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine shutting off or seizing without warning, often at highway speed, leaving no power steering or propulsion; some report knocking or ticking beforehand and a low oil or zero oil pressure message. In many cases the vehicle would not restart and was towed, and dealers told owners the engine needed to be replaced. Several complaints mention metal shavings or debris in the engine or oil filter, and some owners say a replacement engine failed again. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many failures logged between roughly 25,000 and 50,000 miles and several while towing or at highway speed.

   Recall 25V2740005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether NHTSA recall 25V274000 was completed and request the inspection or test results in writing. Check the oil level and look for a fuel or metal smell, and listen for ticking or knocking on a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Took my car to the shop yesterday due to heating a ticking sound coming from the engine. This is the new engine that was replaced AFTER a catastrophic engine failure on May 16, 2025. The service department inspected my vehicle and found metal shards in the oil filter. They need to keep the vehicle because it will need another new engine. This will be the third new engine in a year since the recall on the 6.2L GM engines”

   NHTSA complaint #11696059, filed 2025-10

   “Two weeks after purchasing our 2022 slightly used Cadillac Escalade, my family and I were on our annual Thanksgiving camping trip. December 1, 2024 we were on our way back home from this trip on a very busy highway frequented by semi trucks and large RVs (nearby desert camping). While driving and towing a small trailer at approximately 60 mph on this highway, my vehicle unexpectedly shut off forcing me to act quickly to avoid an accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11636904, filed 2025-01
2. 2
   Engine

   Oil consumption and low oil warnings

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report low-oil messages appearing well before the next scheduled change, sometimes only a couple thousand miles after service, and say dealers described the usage as within specification. Some mention oil consumption testing, oil found in the cooling system, or burning smells, and in several cases the engine later failed an inspection or was replaced. Others describe repeated oil changes and long waits to get the vehicle looked at. Mostly reported from a few thousand miles after an oil change up through the 40,000-50,000 mile range.

   Recall 25V2740003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the dipstick level at purchase and ask for oil change records; ask whether an oil consumption test was ever performed and what result it gave.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am filing this complaint regarding my 2022 Cadillac Escalade and serious concerns about how a safety-related engine issue and recall were handled. I purchased my Escalade new and have consistently maintained it at the Cadillac dealership, following all recommended oil-change and maintenance intervals. Over approximately two years, I had multiple service appointments where I waited more than four hours for what I believed was simply an oil change. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11760779, filed 2026-08

   “I purchased Used in Jan 2026 When starting the lifters were loud and I thought was normal engine operation. Since 2/17/2026 the engine vibrated or ran rough when idling. The auto/Stop Start feature failed randomly as the engine stalled when trying to start. The car passed the recall for the 6.2 Gm L85 engine issue, but is still having issues. The dealership Val Ward Ft Myers has the car now, and is replacing the lifters. My concern is that the Lower Engine issue was not properly diagnosed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11732689, filed 2026-04
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission harsh shifting or loss of drive

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • median 20 mi at 0.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe harsh or delayed shifting, shuddering at low speeds, and in some cases the transmission failing to engage or dropping into neutral while driving. Dealers reportedly found valve body wear or twisted cooler lines in some cases; one owner says a special coverage program did not apply to their vehicle identification number. Some owners also note rough shifting after an engine replacement. Reported from delivery mileage up to roughly 98,000 miles; several complaints concern vehicles with under 40,000 miles.

   Recall 26V0850003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at low speed and on a highway on-ramp to feel for shudder, delay, or a hard 1-2 shift, and ask the dealer whether transmission service campaigns or the control valve recall were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2022 Escalade with 98,000 miles at 70,000 miles I complained about engine and transmission issues On June 14 I lost my transmission I brought it to the dealer and they diagnosed it as a valve body failure Valve number 6 stuck and binding Unfortunately I inquired about the special coverage and my vin is not in the special Recall This problem extends beyond what gm is saying”

   NHTSA complaint #11748307, filed 2026-07

   “I only had my 2022 Cadillac Escalade for 3 months and noticed black oil drippings in my garage. Took it to Cadillac dealership for inspection I was told it was a seal leaking. Within a month I noticed the same issue black oil drippings in the garage, but I also started to smell a burning smell. Call the dealership again to let them know I had the same issue again from a month earlier, the oil drippings in garage also the burning smell. I was told to bring the vehicle in. Started the vehicle the SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT was on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11488889, filed 2022-10

Buying note. For this model year, confirm in writing that recall 25V274000 and any related engine or transmission service campaigns were completed, and ask for the inspection results rather than a verbal confirmation. Given how many sampled complaints involve engine replacement, it is worth having an independent inspection check oil consumption, engine noise, and transmission behavior before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.