2024 Cadillac Escalade Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2024 Cadillac Escalade most often describe sudden engine shutdowns or loss of propulsion, often at highway speed, and many of these reports connect to the engine failures covered by a recall for connecting rod and crankshaft components. Other frequent themes are engine knocking, metal debris, and engine replacement, along with recall repairs that owners describe as delayed or followed by a heavier oil change. Mileage is rarely stated; where it is, reports range from 9,000 to 34,953 miles, and because the model year is recent, the pattern may still change.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden engine shutdown or loss of propulsion

   • 33 complaints (63%)
   • median 17,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the engine suddenly shutting off, the vehicle going into neutral, or losing all propulsion, often while driving at highway speed. Some say a message to press the start button appeared just before power was lost, and the vehicle would not restart, so drivers had to coast to the shoulder or be towed. According to complaints, dealers diagnosed a seized or failed engine in some cases, and some owners were left stranded on highways. Mileage is stated in only a few of these complaints, from 9,000 to 34,953 miles, and many describe the loss of power at highway speed.

   Recall 25V2740003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the recall 25V274000 work has been completed and whether the connecting rod and crankshaft components were checked on this vehicle. Ask the dealer whether any special engine failure coverage described in the bulletins applies to this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Traveling on interstate preparing to exit on ramp. Press start button displayed, car immediately sounded like it geared down hard and then lost power, unable to control well, all I could do to come to a safe stop, while praying that the car behind me didn’t hit me. The car basically locked up while preparing to exit the interstate. So scary, terrifying and dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11718962, filed 2026-02

   “My 2024 Cadillac Escalade had the 6.2 v8 engine recall done in 6/25. I’ve put less than 8k miles on it since and just rolled 32400 miles total. While driving with my family in the car on 8/30 on the highway, it lost all power and just shut off while driving highway speeds. I was able to safely stop but very dangerous. Vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11761154, filed 2026-08
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine knocking, metal debris, or catastrophic failure

   • 27 complaints (52%)
   • median 27,476 mi at 2.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe ticking, knocking, or rattling from the engine before a failure, and in some cases metal shavings or debris found in the oil or oil filter. Engine damage is often reported as a seized or failed engine that the dealer replaced, and some owners say the replacement engine also had problems or that a buyback request was refused. According to complaints, a recall covering connecting rod and crankshaft components was cited, and a dealer would not take the engine apart to inspect it. Mileage is stated in only a few of these complaints, at 9,000 and 20,000 miles, and some describe failures early in ownership.

   Recall 25V2740005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any metal debris or oil contamination was recorded during service, and whether any engine was replaced under the recall or as a warranty repair. On a test drive, listen for ticking, knocking, or rattling noises under acceleration, and review the service records for any engine replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling down I-95 at 65 mph the truck shut down without warning. Extremely dangerous situation. The Cadillac dealership took the truck in and replaced the entire engine. I requested a buy back but was denied. I spoke to the dealership and GM corporate but neither would consider my buyback request.”

   NHTSA complaint #11652086, filed 2025-04

   “On 8/25/2026, my 2024 Cadillac Escalade with the 6.2L V8 suffered a sudden loss of propulsion at approximately 49,754 miles. While my husband was driving and preparing to enter the highway, the vehicle went into Neutral and lost propulsion. He heard a loud banging noise, the low-oil warning illuminated, and the check-engine light began flashing. I later looked in the Cadillac app and saw code P0016. The engine then completely seized. The vehicle was towed to Sewell Cadillac. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11762473, filed 2026-09
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine recall work: parts delays and oil change concerns

   • 13 complaints (25%)
   • median 24,976 mi at 2.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe waiting for recall parts that the dealer did not yet have, and some say the wait was longer than a reasonable time. Several complaints describe recall oil changes to a heavier grade, sometimes with a new oil fill cap, and some list that change among their concerns. According to complaints, several owners reported engine problems or failures after recall work was completed, including cases where a dealer replaced the engine. Mileage is stated in only a few of these complaints, at 15,000 and 34,953 miles, and several describe failures after the recall work.

   Recall 25V2740002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the recall work order showing the test result and the oil grade used, and confirm whether the recall parts were available when the work was done. Check whether any engine warning or new noise appeared after the recall work, and ask the dealer to explain it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On Nov 16-17, 2025 we had GM recall work done - it was an manufacturers defect in connecting rod & crankshaft that can cause bearing failure or sudden loss of propulsion. The escalade ran fine since then, other than the HUD not working on the windshield. We had the oil changed on Sept 17, 2026, and they ordered the part for the HUD. On October 10, 2026, with this 2024 escalade, we were heading to SC towing an enclosed trailer with a motorcycle inside. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11770353, filed 2026-10

   “The engine in our escalade is starting to fail. Our cadillac dealer did their voluntary recall on our escalade at around 15,000 miles. This included a Pico listening forgot knock, and once it passed that test they drained the previously factory recommended 0w-20, and re filled with the now recommended 0w-40 with a filter change, and oil fill cap replacement that has 0w-40 printed in it. At around 20,000 miles, on August 16th my father in law and I performed the next oil change. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11759271, filed 2026-08
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake and driver-assist faults

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 1.7 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a brake system failure that a dealer traced to a master cylinder fault, and a parking brake that engaged while driving. Other complaints describe automatic braking that acted unexpectedly or did not work, and adaptive cruise control phantom braking that was not corrected after repeated dealer visits. According to complaints, a dealer said a clicking noise was normal, and some owners link the problems to incomplete software updates. Mileage is rarely stated, and a brake complaint describes a failure shortly after purchase.

   Recall 24V6740001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the brake control module software recall and any automatic braking software update were completed on this vehicle. On a test drive, check that the parking brake releases and applies normally, and that the dashboard shows a warning when the brake fluid is low.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brake system failed within 3 months of purchase of Cadillac Escalade. The mileage was 4,209 miles, when the incident occurred The vehicle was towed to Massey Cadillac, Authorised Service Partner (ASP) and diagnosed that 'DIAG BRAKE LIGHT C058A BREAK MASTER CYLINDER HAS INTERNAL FAULT'. They replaced the faulty part and the brake is working good now I was saved from a major accident, there was a chance to ran over some one as I realised the failure of brake, while the vehicle was in motion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11689832, filed 2025-09

   “Having it at four different dealers have not corrected the infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control phantom braking, electrical display issues such as ambient temperature, malfunctioning fuel gauge. Check engine notification was on, they seem to have corrected that, the next notification was service rear axle. Back up camera fails intermittently. I have had it to the dealer nine times, GM won't do a buy back I guess until they are sued. Also, dealer changed the oil to a thicker viscosity due to the engine recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11698116, filed 2025-11

Buying note. Ask for the recall repair records for the engine and the brake control software, and check for any hesitation or power loss on a longer highway drive. Because engine shutdown is the dominant theme here, confirm before purchase that the 25V274000 engine work was completed with documented results.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 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.