Cadillac Escalade ESV knocking problems

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Engine · FL

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)

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Engine · AZ

I am filing this safety complaint regarding a critical, unresolved mechanical defect in my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV (approx. 80,000 miles). The dealership (Earnhardt Chandler Cadillac) notified me that my vehicle required an engine replacement under a recall/warranty service. Following their service, a brand-new replacement engine was installed. However, immediately after the replacement, the new engine developed a loud metallic knock upon cold starts, indicating severe internal mechanical failure, defective components, or improper assembly. Despite recognizing this critical defect, the dealership and General Motors failed to rectify it. Most dangerously, they recently delivered the vehicle back to my residence, claiming it was "fine," while the engine continues to exhibit the exact same loud metallic knocking noise. Operating a vehicle with a severely defective, knocking replacement engine poses a high risk of catastrophic engine failure, sudden loss of power while driving, and potential highway accidents, endangering my safety and the safety of other motorists. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this pattern of defective replacement engines and faulty dealership repairs to prevent severe safety hazards on public roads. p.s. I have all email communications and video recordings of this issue.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV, equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine, developed an abnormal engine knocking/clicking noise despite previously receiving the remedy for GM engine safety recall N252494000, the federal safety agency campaign 25V274. On August 21, 2025, at 37,437 miles, Costa Mesa GMC Cadillac performed the recall inspection. The repair invoice states that the engine passed the PicoScope inspection and that the dealer changed the oil and filter and installed a new oil-fill cap. On September 16, 2026, at approximately 49,000 miles, I first noticed an unusual engine noise while driving through a store parking lot. After returning home, I observed a clicking/knocking noise at approximately 1,500–2,000 RPM. On September 17, I brought the vehicle to Costa Mesa GMC Cadillac at 49,093 miles. Repair order 61438 documents an engine knock during acceleration. Approximately two hours after drop-off, the service adviser informed me that GM had authorized replacement of the engine. As of September 24, 2026, the vehicle has remained at the dealership for one week and is awaiting a replacement engine. The vehicle is available at the dealership for inspection, subject to coordination with the dealer. Whether the original engine will be retained and available for inspection after replacement is UNKNOWN. My safety concern is the potential for engine failure and sudden loss of propulsion while driving, which could increase the risk of a collision. The recall notice specifically identified this risk. I am reporting the abnormal engine noise and dealer-reported need for replacement; whether the engine had reached the point of imminent seizure or loss of propulsion is UNKNOWN. The dealer evaluated the vehicle and reported GM’s replacement authorization. The exact internal component failure and root cause are UNKNOWN because I have not received the final diagnostic or repair report. Whether a GM representative separately inspected the engine, rather than reviewing the dealer’s findings, is UNKNOW

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Fuel system, Suspension · CA

About 11pm Driving 70 on freeway started feeling pull back and then started to hear a knock noise. So turned down the music and the knock noise was getting louder as I was driving so I went to the right lane as I went to the right lane I felt like the car was pulling back and slowing down even as I accelerated… knock got even louder and I decided to exit the freeway early instead of getting to my destination. As I exited the freeway the entire car shut down lights flickered check engine went on and low oil pressure flickered once but then turned off. I couldn’t get it in park couldn’t get the car to turn over. I was able to get out of the middle of the intersection turning off the freeway and pulled gas station called AAA. I’ve had no prior problems or warning lamps before this problem happened with the vehicle. I have videos of the whole incident that will not let me download on bottom of page. “2023 Escalade ESV, VIN [XXX]. Towed to Cadillac of Laguna Niguel. Engine knocked, then complete no-crank, suspected seizure. I need a case tied to recall N252494000 / the federal safety agency 25V‑274 and special coverage N252494003. Do not authorize paid diagnosis. I need a loaner Escalade or equivalent and PQC approval for engine replacement.” “This SUV was towed to Dealership on September 18th at 1130pm. 2023 Escalade ESV, 6.2 L87. It knocked and now it will not crank at all engine is likely seized. Cadillac case number is XXX Book this under GM recall N252494000 and special coverage N252494003 — L87 connecting rod / crankshaft / loss of propulsion. To service advisor: Please do not bump-start or crank it. Do not write this as a starter, battery, or customer-pay no-start. I want the RO to say: ‘Catastrophic L87 internal failure, no crank after knock, inspect for engine replacement under N252494003.’ Open PQC today. I also need a comparable loaner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine · FL

Vehicle: 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN: [XXX] Engine: 6.2L V8 L86 Mileage: Less than 59,000 miles I am reporting a serious premature engine failure involving the 6.2L L86 engine in my 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The vehicle has been properly maintained with regular oil changes and routine service. On September 8, 2026, the vehicle developed a chirping sound during startup. After driving, the chirping stopped, but a ticking noise occurred when the vehicle was restarted. I immediately had the vehicle evaluated by an independent mechanic. The mechanic kept the vehicle for two nights so that a cold-start evaluation could be performed. On September 10, I was informed that the engine noise was caused by lifter failure. The vehicle was then towed to a Cadillac dealership in [XXX]. On XXX, the Cadillac dealership diagnosed lifter failure and camshaft damage. The vehicle had not experienced a loss of oil pressure, noticeable loss of power, hesitation, or other significant warning symptoms before the failure. I am concerned because General Motors has issued technical service bulletins addressing lifter failures and ticking noises involving the 6.2L L86 engine and the Cadillac Escalade, including GM bulletin 15-06-01-002 and GM bulletin 19-NA-218. The vehicle has less than 59,000 miles. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this engine failure and review whether similar failures involving this engine and vehicle warrant further investigation or action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

On August 17, 2026, at approximately 96,685 miles, my 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine lost motive power while I was driving on Highway 101 in California. The vehicle stalled, I pulled over, and I was unable to restart it. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed a seized engine that would not rotate, with metal contamination in the oil system and internal engine damage caused by a failed bearing. During teardown, the dealer specifically documented that the rod bearing failed and caused the engine seizure. This vehicle had previously received the GM L87 engine recall remedy on August 11, 2025, at approximately 47,987 miles. The dealer documented that the required PicoScope test passed and that the vehicle was operating normally at that time. The engine failure occurred approximately 48,698 miles after the recall remedy. GM subsequently replaced the engine under warranty. I am reporting this as a safety-related loss-of-motive-power event because the engine failed while the vehicle was traveling on a major highway and could not be restarted. I request that the federal safety agency consider this incident in connection with Recall 25V‑274 and Recall Query RQ26001 and evaluate whether the recall remedy adequately identifies L87 engines that remain at risk of subsequent failure.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine · 131,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly loss power and was unable to exceed 30 MPH. The engine was knocking prior to the vehicle losing power. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with catastrophic engine failure. The dealer waiting for parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · CO

The engine is knocking between 10-30 mph and over 50 mph. The forward collision light lights up. This is the third time this has happened. I am very concern it will stall on me at high speeds