My 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV (VIN [XXX]) developed an engine failure after receiving the recall remedy for the federal safety agency recall 25V‑274 (GM 6.2L V8 connecting rod/crankshaft defect). Symptoms: engine misfiring, dashboard warning lights illuminated, engine stalling/misfiring at idle, loss of power on acceleration, and a valve-like knocking noise coming from the engine. The loss of power and stalling while driving put my safety and the safety of others at risk. The vehicle is currently at the Vera Cruz Cadillac dealership, where it has been sitting for almost a month while awaiting the warranty process. The dealer has not confirmed the root cause. This engine failure occurred AFTER the 25V‑274 recall remedy was completed on this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems
61 complaints (82% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 69,608.
- owner complaints
- 61
- of this car's complaints
- 82%
- typical mileage
- 69,608
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Engine failure 34Loss of power 14Knocking 10Check engine light 9Stalling 8
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 25V274000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V‑274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V‑274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GMâs recall remedy for Recall 25V‑274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V‑274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. Additionally, ODI has received 191 reports of L87 engine failures in engines produced after the production period cited in Recall 25V‑274. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysisto continue investigating complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is expanding the scope of this Investigation to include engines produced after the production period cited in the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA26005
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V‑274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V‑274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GMâs recall remedy for Recall 25V‑274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V‑274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI will close this RQ and continue to investigate complaints of post-remedy engine failure for Recall 25V‑274 as part of an Engineering Analysis (EA26005). To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
RQ26001
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V‑274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019â2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001). GM determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V‑274 to address the supplier manufacturing and quality issues produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. Based on the issuance of recall 25V‑274, the federal safety agency has closed PE25001. ODI continues to receive a significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of 25V‑274. This presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis (EA) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues of vehicles built outside the recall scope. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA25007
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GMâs full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engineâs bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. On April 24, 2025, GM issued recall 25V‑274 to address the concern with L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GMâs recall remedy will be either an oil change to an oil with a different viscosity or engine replacement depending on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. To date, ODI has received 1,157 allegations of engine bearing failure. GM submitted 55,464 reports in total, with 29,752 unique VINs. ODI continues to receive allegations of L87 engine failures which fall outside of the scope of recall 25V‑274. Based on GMâs recall, ODI will close this PE. the federal safety agency will continue to investigate complaints of engine failure outside the scope of recall 25V‑274 as part ofEngineering Analysis (EA25007). To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE25001
What 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Body of what was just sent to GM- this should answer most/all questions: To the GM Executive Resolution Team, I am escalating a critical safety hazard and severe dealer misconduct involving my 2021 Cadillac Escalade (53,700 miles), which is fully covered under the GM Factory Powertrain Warranty and a GM Platinum Extended Warranty. This vehicle is experiencing its third catastrophic top-end valvetrain failure. The component history on this VIN is as follows: First Failure: Lifters replaced at a GM dealership in Miami, FL. The worn camshaft was left in place. Second Failure: Lifters replaced at AutoNation Cadillac West Palm Beach. The worn camshaft was left in place. Third Failure: The engine is actively failing again, knocking and ticking severely on warm restarts due to complete bleed-down. My last attempt to address this issue was to take the vehicle to Wallace Cadillac in Stuart, FL, and physically presented the Service Manager with glitter-filled oil and an oil filter containing metal debris, proving advanced mechanical erosion and engine self-destruction. Instead of initiating a warranty claim, the Service Manager/Senior Technician at Wallace Cadillac explicitly instructed me to continue driving the vehicle until it completely "blows up and have it towed in," claiming GM corporate would otherwise do nothing. As supporting evidence, he recited a recent claim refusal on an XT4’s engine where “I bore-scoped it and knew it was done, returned it to GM and they did not reimburse the warranty claim because we did not follow their tear down procedure”. Advising a customer to operate a 5,500-pound luxury SUV with heavily contaminated oil and a failing valvetrain until a catastrophic engine blowout occurs on a public highway is a profound safety violation and an extreme liability. A sudden engine seizure at highway speeds poses an immediate risk of a high-speed accident to my family.
I was driving down the interstate going 80 miles an hour and my engine completely shut off. I had to cross four lanes of traffic, on an interstate where the speed limit is 75 miles an hour, to get over on the shoulder while my car was able to accelerate. It was traumatizing and extremely dangerous and a miracle that a wreck was not caused. Engine would not start up after that.
While driving out of state the engine started knocking- I took it to the dealer before it left me stranded on the road. I was told the engine had failed and needed to be replaced.
•Purchased the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Premium Luxury on XXX, at roughly 68,000 miles. •Within roughly 300 miles of ownership, the 6.2L engine suffered a catastrophic failure involving a rod and ultimately required a complete engine replacement by GM. •The incident involved a loss of propulsion while the vehicle was being driven, making the event more significant than an ordinary mechanical repair. •The incident occurred while transferring from the XXX North to the [XXX] on the turn with 7 people in the car (including 4 children ranging from [XXX]) No lights or warning signs prior to the event. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Bad motor
I had two issues while the car was still under warranty one occasion while driving on a road the engine failed during my trip and I was stranded on the side of the road had to get it towed to the dealer. Second time. I was pulling out of the grocery store and my vehicle lost power as well so on two occasions while driving my car lost power while being in use. I cannot remember the exact date, but I believe it was between 2023 and 2025 for both incidents
On XXX I had been driving my vehicle with no issues. I had drove from [XXX] to [XXX]. My vehicle had no warnings or issues prior and my vehicle has been properly cared for and all oil and maintenance has been done through the Cadillac dealership in [XXX]. On my way to [XXX] I stopped at the local gas station and filled my gas tank fully up, when I started my vehicle there was a horrible sound and my car began to shake and all the electronics began coming up. I went to work less than 5 minutes down the road and the vehicle was horrible acting. I called my husband and began thinking maybe I had put bad gas in the vehicle because like i mentioned earlier there was nothing wrong with my vehicle prior to this. We contacted the dealership in [XXX] and they told us to bring the vehicle in, I had to drive my car back to [XXX] where i was petrified my vehicle was going to blow up or just die in the road. I made it to the dealership and explained what happened and that i thought it was bad gas, they let me know they would look at the vehicle and let us know. They contacted my husband later in the day and let him know the good news was that it was not bad gas, unfortunately my engine blew up. He said my engine has done what the recall engines have been doing, unfortunately my vehicle is not in the recall and that it would be $12,000.00 to fix it. When my husband called me, I had him three way the dealership and explained we have taken very good care of our vehicle with all maintenance and oil changes done there. He explained to me that it was nothing we could have done and i wanted to know why then the engine blew without warning and he continued to explain it was like the other vehicles in a recall. He kindly explained that there was nothing he could do but we could try and contact GM if we could get ahold of them and we could file a complaint reguarding our vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Bought vehicle brand new in 2021 took delivery in 2022. Had to have a full transmission replacement and radiator that was cracked replaced at 30,000 miles. Over the next few years have had fuel delivery issues due to fuel pump. This fuel pump was not fixed. As of this year 2026 i've had the vehicle in the shop just shy of every single month. I have had a thermostat sensor that caused the engine fan to go into high RPM causing limp mode on the freeway with a family of 5 in the vehicle. Ive had breaks replaced and not mounted correctly. Additionally, being told the radiator is cracked again in the exact same spot from the initial replacement. Most recently i had a "exhaust pressure back flow valve replaced" that also caused the vehicle to go into limp mode. The following week was another pressure back flow valve issue from the install requiring 2 forced regen's. Approximately 4 days later (08/14/26) from getting the vehicle back from the dealership i have a new check engine light recommending a new catalytic converter. These issues predominately and without warning putting the car into limp mode on the highway is causing major safety concerns for my family with 3 little girls. The vehicle continues to be assessed at the dealership and we have been treated as more of a nuisance than a customer with major vehicle concerns
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV equipped with L87 6.2L V8, subject to the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑274 / GM N252494000. The recall inspection was completed and the vehicle passed, so GM performed the 0W-40 higher-viscosity-oil remedy rather than engine replacement. The vehicle has a history of unexplained oil loss with no obvious external leak, including a prior low-oil warning. At a recent oil change after approximately 5,000 miles, no oil registered on the dipstick before service. The engine was then filled to the full mark. Using the same repeatable checking method, the level was approximately 3/4 at 227 miles and approximately 1/2 at 1,300 miles. I am concerned that a progressive internal engine condition may not have been detected by the recall inspection and that the oil-only remedy may be inadequate. the federal safety agency currently has Recall Query RQ26001 open regarding engine failures after Recall 25V‑274 remedies. I am also concerned because GM Special Coverage N252494003 excludes an engine presenting with low/no oil as neglect even if unresolved mechanical oil consumption caused the low level. I am requesting this complaint be associated with Recall 25V‑274 and RQ26001. Please advise. I just bought the car less than a year ago and can’t a new engine.
Questions about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine
Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV have engine problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 82% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 69,608 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 25V274000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Cadillac Escalade ESV have bad engine?
The Cadillac Escalade ESV model years with the most engine complaints are 2023 (74 complaints), 2021 (61 complaints) and 2022 (49 complaints).
Other 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems
Transmission 12Electrical 11Fuel system 6Brakes 4Driver assistance 2Seat belts 2Body 1Steering 1Suspension 1Wheels 1
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