Vehicle passed the L87 V8 recall inspection, but subsequently suffered sudden engine failure/knocking.
2023 Cadillac Escalade: engine knocking or ticking
11 of the 146 complaints about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade describe engine knocking or ticking.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- recalls
- 1
Engine knocking or ticking by model year
What owners say
Around May 2025; we noticed a ticking/knocking noise coming from our engine. We popped the hood, confirmed the noise was coming from somewhere in the engine. Shut the vehicle off, noticed that the drive belt was significantly damaged/frayed. Brought it to the dealership - they we were informed that our engine had failed related to the GM 2025 recall. Engine was replaced at 68,500 miles with new engine. October 2026, around approximately 103,000 miles, we heard the same ticking/knocking noise coming from the engine. Again, popped the hood & found the drive belt to once again be destroyed, this time even worse from our perspective. Cracked in several places, frayed edges along several sections. Had the vehicle towed back to the same dealership the following day (Monday). Service advisor let us know the next day that the engine had "internal failure." Per the technician, "crankshaft bearing failure - premature wear, oil pressure collapse, and destruction of the main and rod bearings."
Vehicle started making a horrendous noise, knock and squeeling noise while on the highway. Approximately 2 minutes later the check engine light came on and we completely lost power. Went from 70 to zero dead on the side of the NY Thruway rapidly. Vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that an engine replacement was necessary. Engine previously passed PICO test and update to the oil cap was completed. Oil changes every 5k miles.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated engine and drivability issues with my vehicle, which began shortly after purchase and have continued despite service visits. I purchased the vehicle on 03/04/2023. Within approximately one month (03/26/2023), I began experiencing abnormal engine behavior, including ticking noises and instances where the vehicle would shut off and require restarting. I immediately brought the vehicle to the dealership. At that time, the issue was not properly diagnosed and I was told after a test drive that the noise was “normal. On 12/18/2025, I was later notified of an engine recall involving the same type of engine problem I had been reporting since 2023. I brought the vehicle in 12/19/2026 and the engine failed 3 times. I was informed that an engine replacement was necessary, and the vehicle was left at the dealership. It was ready for pickup on 01/14/2026 after the engine replacement was completed. On 04/15/2026, the vehicle began making knocking noises and would not shift into drive or reverse. I had to turn the vehicle off and restart it in order to regain drivability. On 04/16/2026, while driving, the vehicle began making a loud revving noise without accelerating and started to slow down and lose power. I was forced to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle would not respond properly until I turned it off and restarted it again in order to continue driving. These ongoing issues present a serious safety concern due to repeated loss of power and drivability while operating the vehicle.
Dealership stated they fixed recall ref# N252494000 on 9/24/25. But on 4/9/26 noticed engine noise (knocking), then a lose of power and then vehicle stalled on the highway.
2023 Escalade, the dealer did the oil change recall to put the thicker oil and oil filter in it a few months ago after the motor was ticking. They had to get recall approved by GM, due to it not showing up under my VIN for the recall. They approved it and on Friday 1/16 driving on a 55mph 3 lane highway with my newborn baby the car just stopped driving and shut off with no warning and not enough time to pull into a shoulder or out of the way. Sat in the car for 30 mins with my newborn baby until cops arrived to help with safety and we waited 45 mins for a tow truck. Cars were swerving nearly hitting us multiple times and you cannot neutral override them to atleast push or pull the car out of the road while waiting for a tow truck
In May 2023 I bought a new 2023 Cadillac Escalade (because the engine on my 2021 Tahoe was being replaced—the federal safety agency 11658068). After owning the Escalade just under a year I started noticing it making odd engine noises, most often at a cold startup. It sounded like a ticking or vibration and was pretty loud. On April 30, 2024 I took the Escalade to Blackstone Cadillac in Fresno CA where they found Cylinder 2 was misfiring. They said it was related to TSB #19-NA-218 and recommended an engine replacement, which they completed, and I picked it up May 22, 2024. The new engine runs rough, tons of vibration, and frequently struggles with the automatic start/stop function at red lights. It will shut off and start up immediately, or it won’t want to start back up at all. Due to these concerns I took it back to Blackstone Cadillac in October 2024. The mechanics put my Escalade side by side with another Escalade and listened to both engines and they said it sounded the same and couldn’t find anything wrong with it. My Escalade continues to run rough, odd vibrations and problems with automatic start/stop to this day. I just received the recall notice “N252494000 L87 engine loss of propulsion” for my Escalade and was notified that a remedy is not available. I called the dealership and they confirmed, there is currently no remedy available for the recall on my Escalade. I am worried and scared to drive it because I was stranded in the middle of a highway with the same L87 engine on my 2021 Tahoe (the federal safety agency 11658068). I don’t know what to do.
I called dealer and told them that the suv was making a ticking sound and played them a recording of it. They told me that i could drive it in or call an 800 number and maybe get it towed. I decided to drive it in as towing it would prob take it to a dealer i did not know. There were no lights on indicating an issue. I was stopped waiting to turn left across traffic when the engine started making all kinds of clanging noise. At this point it quit and after a few attempts i got it restarted and towed it in to dealer the engine failure with out warning left me and my family in jeopardy in the roadway. Now i learn that lots of these 6.2 v8s are blowing up as my dealer alone has several of them out back waiting with no eta on repair parts coming. So not only were we put in pearl but i have 125k in a brick setting at the dealer. And givin a smaller auto that i can not pull trailers with. I feel endangered and ripped off pleasse help.
I am expressing my complaint on engine problem with my vehicle. I have an engine knocking or clicking noise that started last week. I had it evaluated by my mechanic, and we were told metal fragments were found in the oil pan…Indicating internal engine failure. I am angry now seeing all the info online about the failure of these 6.2 liter engines. My mechanic said he wouldn’t drive it for safety reasons because it will definitely get worse. I called the GM hotline. They were not very helpful. They said I needed to schedule with a dealer to have it diagnosed. She didn’t offer any more information. Shame on GM
I was driving home from getting groceries when all of a sudden the vehicle starts to make a loud noise from the engine (no warning lamps/lights or any messages popped up.) I proceeded to go home and call my husband and ask for his help with the problem. I recorded a video of the car and sent it to him, and he said that it sounded like the engine is knocking and told me to shut the car off and call the dealership to further discuss the situation with them. After calling the dealership they towed my car to get it diagnosed. It has been a month or so now since leaving my car with them and they still cannot diagnose the issue.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the following day while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started to stall with a high-pitched squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light flashed on the instrument panel moments before the vehicle shut off. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact stated that the engine was replaced under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently flashing on the instrument panel. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have...
- Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on...
- Condition that could
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer...
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000...
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
Questions about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade knocking
Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
11 of 146 owner complaints about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade (8%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2026.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
There is 1 recall and 166 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade
Engine failure 76Loss of power 18Check engine light 17Stalling 11Won't start 6Oil consumption 5Won't shift 5
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