There is internal engine failure. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety as well as others were at risk when the engine started to fail, without warning, causing my car to jolt and briefly lose control of steering. If complete engine failure happened while driving, I would not have control over my car. My life and other's lives would severely be at risk. Car has been inspected and confirmed engine failure. Car is unable to be driven as we do not want to put anyone else at risk or make the problem worse. Car will be towed on Monday. There was absolutely no warning of this occurring. The symptoms first appeared while driving and the incident happened shortly after. There was a loud noise followed by my car being jerked traffic. I immediately pulled over until I could get my car safely home. When inspected the car was ticking with brief knocking noises. The ticking continued while the knocking noise became more abrupt and frequent.
Cadillac Escalade knocking problems
81 of the 1,734 owner complaints about the Cadillac Escalade describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2026 model year.
- owner complaints
- 81
- worst model year
- 2026
- typical repair cost reported
- $10,000
- typical mileage
- 75,645
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 36Check engine light 18Loss of power 14Misfire 9Stalling 7Hesitation 3Shudder 2Fuel pump 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0300 3
What owners say
Vehicle passed the L87 V8 recall inspection, but subsequently suffered sudden engine failure/knocking.
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."
I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine and took delivery on XXX. At approximately 9,700 miles, the vehicle developed an engine-related problem and the check engine light illuminated. I brought the vehicle to Cadillac of Norwood in [XXX] on XXX During diagnosis, the dealership identified metal contamination in the engine oil. I was advised that, because metal was found in the oil, further internal diagnosis was stopped and the engine would need to be replaced. The dealership subsequently ordered a complete replacement engine. As of XXX, the vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting the replacement engine and has been out of service continuously since September 16. This is particularly concerning because the vehicle is approximately six months old and has fewer than 10,000 miles. An internal engine failure resulting in metal circulating in the oil at such low mileage raises concerns about premature engine failure and the possibility of loss of engine power if a similar failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven. Prior to this failure, I had also noticed an abnormal ticking noise from the engine. The vehicle has required multiple dealership visits since purchase for other concerns. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency has a record of the premature engine failure and replacement on this 2026 Cadillac Escalade. I believe this should be evaluated for potential similarity to other reported 6.2L V8 engine failures in GM full-size SUVs and trucks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade on July 27, 2026. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began experiencing significant engine-related problems, including shaking, rough running, loss of power, knocking-type noises, misfires, and a check-engine light. The vehicle underwent three separate repair attempts for the engine-related concerns. During these visits, the dealer diagnosed and attempted to correct the misfire and related engine issues, including work involving the ignition coil/coil pack. Despite these repair attempts, the problems continued or returned. A fourth visit was then conducted as a final repair attempt. During this visit, a General Motors engineer became involved and attempted to diagnose and correct the vehicle’s continuing engine problems. Despite this additional manufacturer-level repair attempt, the underlying engine concern was not successfully resolved. The vehicle was essentially brand new when these problems began. After three repair attempts and a fourth final repair attempt involving a GM engineer, I remain concerned about the safety, reliability, and long-term condition of the engine because of the repeated shaking, loss of power, misfires, abnormal engine noise, and warning lights.
The contact owns a 2026 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to maintain automotive power. In addition, after depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, cause of the failure was not known. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal shavings inside the engine, engine oil pan, and the engine oil filter. The vehicle was also diagnosed with rod bearings #1 and #2 failures, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
There was knocking and stalling happening. I looked up the issue and saw that there was a recall on all 2021 Cadillac escalades with my exact engine. Unfortunately my vin did fall in the recall but I have the same issues and now my car has been at the service station for almost 2 weeks trying to figure this out and get the situation taken care of.
Started hearing a knocking sound from the engine Saturday. Stopped driving the car the rest of the weekend. Took to the Cadillac dealer today and was just told the car needs a new engine. This is unacceptable on 130k 2026 vehicle. Hopefully, you can apply severe pressure on GM to get this issue fixed once and for all.
The L87 in our Escalade had a catastrophic failure at 97,088 miles. We were told that the right cylinder head had failed which caused the lower main bearings to fail. We had the engine replaced with a newly rebuilt L87 on XXX (invoice date). The engine was rebuilt by GM. Our local shop procured it through Weisner GMC in [XXX]. The cost to us was $11,428.22. Fortunately, we were able to limp the car into our local shop. Now, this newly rebuilt engine has 11,056 miles on it and we are experiencing the same symptoms as the last. Those are: ticking during acceleration and very rough idling and a growling noise at low speeds. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving on a major interstate and the vehicle started knocking and losing acceleration, shaking terribly at a slow down/stop, lights on dash engaged, check engine, auto hold, service stabilitrak. Determination was a engine bearing went bad which contaminated the oil and other parts
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
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
- Risk
- The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
Recall number 14V007000 · Recall details
Questions about the Cadillac Escalade knocking
Which Cadillac Escalade years have engine knocking or ticking problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2026 (13 complaints), 2023 (11 complaints) and 2021 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine knocking or ticking on the Cadillac Escalade?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $10,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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