2002-2024 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
Choose a year to request this visual. Trim and engine are optional; omitted trim is Not specified.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002-2024 Cadillac Escalade has 20 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are 4L60E/4L65E 3-4 Clutch Pack Burnup Causes Loss of Third and Fourth Gear ($2,200-$3,500 repair), L87 6.2L Connecting Rod Bearing Failure on T1XX Escalade ($0-$12,000 repair), Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Smoke or Catch Fire — Recall 08V441, Brake Line Corrosion and Failure (Rust Belt) ($500-$1,500 repair), Recall 21V115000: Over-Cured Continental Tires on the 2020 Escalade Can Deflate Suddenly and Escalade Power Brake Assist Can Fade With Vacuum Pump Output (Recall 19V645000). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $12,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
+ 10 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002-2024 Cadillac Escalade has 20 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 4L60E/4L65E 3-4 Clutch Pack Burnup Causes Loss of Third and Fourth Gear, L87 6.2L Connecting Rod Bearing Failure on T1XX Escalade, Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Smoke or Catch Fire — Recall 08V441. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2002-2024 Cadillac Escalade has 20 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: 4L60E/4L65E 3-4 Clutch Pack Burnup Causes Loss of Third and Fourth Gear and L87 6.2L Connecting Rod Bearing Failure on T1XX Escalade and Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Smoke or Catch Fire — Recall 08V441 and Brake Line Corrosion and Failure (Rust Belt) and Recall 21V115000: Over-Cured Continental Tires on the 2020 Escalade Can Deflate Suddenly and Escalade Power Brake Assist Can Fade With Vacuum Pump Output (Recall 19V645000). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Cadillac Escalade issues range from $0 to $12,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 4L60E/4L65E 3-4 Clutch Pack Burnup Causes Loss of Third and Fourth Gear, typically costs $2,200-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Cadillac Escalade. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2002-2024 Cadillac Escalade with 20 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
GMT800-era Escalades use the 4L60E/4L65E four-speed behind the 6.0L LQ9/LQ4, and in a 5,800-pound SUV the 3-4 clutch pack is the component that gives out. The 3-4 clutch apply circuit runs through a small feed and the waved snap ring and clutch plates cook under sustained load -… Repairs typically run $2,200-$3,500. Severity: high.
The T1XX Escalade's 6.2L L87 V8 has a documented connecting-rod bearing failure that is separate from the older AFM lifter problem and separate from oil consumption. Manufacturing debris left in the crankshaft oil passages and rod-bearing dimensional variation on engines built in… Repairs typically run $0-$12,000. Severity: high.
2007 and 2008 Escalades equipped with the heated wiper washer fluid system are named in NHTSA recall 08V441000. The failure begins as a short circuit on the printed circuit board of the washer fluid heater, which can overheat the control-circuit ground wire in the module's contro… Severity: high.
The 2007-2014 Escalade (and all GM full-size trucks) are prone to severe brake line corrosion, particularly in northern US states and Canada where road salt is used. The factory steel brake lines corrode from the inside out, leading to sudden brake line rupture and complete loss… Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: high.
Some 2020 Cadillac Escalades left the factory on Continental tires that spent too long in the curing process. Over-curing weakens the rubber, and GM's recall notice describes two outcomes: a break in the sidewall that causes sudden air loss, or a belt edge separation that leads t… Severity: high.
The 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade is included in GM safety recall 19V645000, which addresses a vacuum pump whose output may decrease over time. On the Escalade, that pump supplies the vacuum the brake booster uses to multiply your pedal input. As pump output falls, so does brake as… Severity: high.
GMT900 Escalades commonly throw 'Service StabiliTrak' and 'Service Traction Control' together with a reduced-engine-power event, and owners chase it for months because three unrelated root causes present identically. The most common is the electronic throttle body - carbon buildu… Repairs typically run $150-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The parallel-flow A/C condenser sits ahead of the radiator with no meaningful stone shield. Road debris pits the thin aluminum tubes and the tube-to-header joints crack from vibration and thermal cycling, so the system slowly bleeds refrigerant until the pressure switch cuts the… Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control dampers contain magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity is varied by a coil in the piston. The rod seal is the weak point: once it weeps, the unit loses fluid and, more importantly, loses the ability to control damping - the ride goes floaty… Repairs typically run $1,000-$4,500. Severity: medium.
The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) center display uses a capacitive touch panel bonded to the LCD with an adhesive layer. Heat cycling in the sun-exposed center stack breaks that bond down, producing spider-web cracks that radiate from the edges and bubbles/delamination between l… Repairs typically run $300-$2,000. Severity: medium.
GMT800 Escalades develop a rising-and-falling whine from the front of the engine that tracks steering-wheel movement and gets worse at low speed and full lock. The cause is usually a combination of the power steering pump's internal wear and aeration from a leak that lets air int… Repairs typically run $250-$1,400. Severity: medium.
GM 22-NA-182 and 22-NA-015 cover bounded 2021-2024 Escalade 10-speed concerns. A twisted cooler line or incorrect fluid level can contribute, while a 25-50 mph shudder can reflect DFM operation, engine torque variation, valve-body or TCC-solenoid behavior, or true converter slip. Severity: medium.
The Escalade AWD system uses a transfer case (NP149 full-time AWD or NP246 selectable 4WD on ESV models) that commonly experiences encoder motor failure and internal chain stretch. The encoder motor controls the transfer case mode selection and wears out between 80,000-130,000 mi… Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The 2003-2006 Escalade (and all GM full-size trucks of this era) suffer from widespread instrument cluster gauge failure caused by defective stepper motors. The speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge all use small stepper motors that fail from thermal cycling. Repairs typically run $50-$350. Severity: medium.
GM 18-NA-355 covers 2015-2017 Escalade vehicles with the L86 engine and M5U 8L90 transmission when a rumble-strip-like shudder occurs at steady light throttle from about 25 to 80 mph while the transmission is not actively shifting. It does not establish a broad harsh-shift defect… Severity: medium.
GM 19-NA-036 provides a bounded L86 diagnosis for 2015-2016 Escalade vehicles built before September 1, 2015. It requires measured use of at least one quart per 2,000 miles and separates plug-deposit/piston-ring findings from oil entering through the dirty-side PCV and LOMA/VLOM… Severity: medium.
GM separates the 2010-2014 L94 Gen IV and 2015-2020 L86 Gen V AFM diagnostic and repair paths. A P0300 misfire and loss of valve motion on AFM cylinders 1, 4, 6 or 7 require compression, VLOM and valvetrain checks; early 2007 L92 hardware had AFM disabled and is outside this corr… Severity: medium.
GM PIT4954D separates several Escalade level-control paths. On 2009 and earlier vehicles, pinched pressure-sensor wiring can contribute to C0696 or C0711. A low rear ride height under heavy payload with C0711 has a moisture-damaged sensor/filter/dryer branch. A visibly loose or d… Severity: medium.
The horizontal painted surfaces on the 2015-2020 Escalade - roof, hood, and the tops of the mirror caps - lose clear coat adhesion and begin to flake off in sheets, exposing the color base and eventually the primer. It is a UV-exposure failure of the clear coat's bond to the base… Repairs typically run $600-$3,500. Severity: low.
On the 2007-2014 Escalade the chrome outside door handle is a plastic casting with an integral pivot lever that pulls the latch cable. The plastic embrittles with UV and heat cycling and the lever arm cracks at the pivot boss, so the handle flops loosely or feels normal but no lo… Repairs typically run $120-$1,200. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
