2022 Cadillac Escalade: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, transmission, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 110
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes reported
- 5
- 5 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Cadillac Escalade: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Escalade is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 6.2L 8-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 16 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylDiesel | 4WD, RWD | 22–23 mpg |
- The 2022 Cadillac Escalade was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Escalade that averages well under the EPA 16 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Engine seizure or shutdown
34,000–45,000 miles
Repeat or late engine failure
80,000–94,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Engine721 crash
Sudden shutdowns and seizures at highway speed dominate these reports, often near 70 mph. Power cuts out with no warning lights, some cars cannot be shifted into neutral, and dealers find total engine failure that needs a replacement. Some owners first hear knocking or get low-oil warnings well before the next oil change. Failures cluster between 34,000 and 45,000 miles, and others appear from 85,000 to 94,000. Several owners report a second failure after one engine replacement. One complaint involves a crash with an injury.
Parts for a recall repair are unavailable in about half of these reports, and owners say the wait has gone on too long. The other reports describe hesitation and reduced power at 45 to 75 mph, stalls with no warning lights, and a dealer finding of engine failure that requires replacement. One owner reports hesitation, a whining sound, and the SUV pulling to one side after the recall inspection. Failure mileages range from about 37,600 to 80,000.
Transmission17No crashes
Power cuts out at highway speed and the transmission drops into neutral. Usually there is no warning light, only a prompt to restart. Some cars cannot be shifted or pushed afterward and are left stranded in traffic lanes. Several owners say the failure came months after a recall inspection their engine had passed. One report describes a hole in the engine block, oil spilled on the road, and a fire under the hood. A diesel owner reports a failed engine coolant control valve causing reduced power and a check engine light.
Electrical102 crashes
Most reports here describe the engine shutting down and the transmission shifting into neutral while driving, often on freeways. Separate problems include a failed OnStar module, a computer and dashboard replaced early in ownership, and a backup camera that works less often over time. Two crash reports raise other concerns: doors that could not be opened from inside or outside after an impact, and safety systems, airbags, and crash alerts that did not activate. Two people were injured.
Acceleration and cruise control3No crashes
The forward collision system gives false alerts and can brake hard on the highway with no vehicle ahead. In one case, replacing sensors did not fix it and the dealer turned off automatic braking. Other reports describe reduced power, a check engine light, and limp mode that left the car stuck in neutral, which a dealer traced to a faulty control valve body. Uneven acceleration and low-oil warnings months before an oil change also appear.
Steering2No crashes
Turning the wheel gets hard when the engine shuts off at speed, and on the highway that nearly led to a rear-end collision. The dealer found a seized engine. After the replacement, the owner reports a rough idle, low coolant, and the wrong oil put in by the dealer. In the other complaint, a noise from the steering wheel led to a steering gear replacement at only 1,200 miles.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Escalade owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Driving vehicle between 70-80 miles an hour on the freeway when the car switched into neutral and lost all engine power. No warning lamps or any indication of failure. I was able to steer vehicle to left side of freeway and it had to be towed. It was not a safe location as cars were flying by just feet from the dibbled vehicle. It never started again. Towed to local Cadillac and have been told the car experienced catastrophic engine failure.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
I purchased a used 2022 Cadillac Escalade. With 34,000 miles...as I was driving in the highway the engine failed. No brakes, everything went black on the screen and engine was out. Dealership told me it was harness chaffing and fixed it. No less than a week later, on the highway, the engine seized and failed. New engine is being ordered. This was extremely dangerous at high speeds and almost killed us, twice.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
Complete Engine failure happened while driving at slow speed. Engine recall had been completed on September 3, 2025. No replacement recomended. Complete engine failure happened on January 12, 2026. Had towed to dealership. Dealership just confirmed to me that it will need to have engine replaced on January 19, 2026. There was no sign or symptoms right before the failure.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
- Engine seized at highway speeds - Vehicle had lose of power while in the middle of the highway. Fortunately I was able to coast to the side of the road without impact. - The vehicle components went through inspection by the Cadillac dealer it was delivered to. - There were no messages or other symptoms that alerted me prior to the problem occured.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
I was in accident on the interstate. None of the safety features activated. The truck was sliding instead of stopping. The emergency stop and braking never activated. The distance sensor failed. The airbag didn’t deploy and Onstar never called about a crash alert.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
Hi at April 28 around 10.30 pm I was driving Longisland highway city to Hamton’ before exit 70 my engine stopped suddenly I was on the left line trafic coming behind me i barely controlled my car pull over very hardly right side and called police I have recorded 911 officer help me to tow my car it was dar and not safe area now car at the dealership smithtown king of Cadillac dealership
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Vehicle is burning oil with low engine oil light flashing months before the oil change is required. Vehicle does not always have full power and may slingshot forward at time of acceleration as opposed to a smooth acceleration.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
How the 2022 compares with other Escalade years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks second for owner complaints among 8 Escalade years, about 2.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Engine7235
- Transmission179
- Electrical107
- Acceleration and cruise control30
- Steering21
Where the 2022 fits in the Escalade's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the second model year of the Escalade's fifth generation (2021–2023).
Cadillac updated the Escalade for 2025, so a 2022 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2025 (not on a 2022)
- New front fascia, new interior design
Recalls to confirm (4)
Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V085000TransmissionFeb 2026
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.
Risk: Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252536750. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
25V274000EngineApr 2025
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.
Fix: 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.
22V903000Exterior lightsDec 2022
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.".
Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
22V617000Seat beltsAug 2022
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.
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
Also looking at these instead of a Escalade?
Cars shoppers compare with the Cadillac Escalade, with their own 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
- Toyota Sequoia1
- Nissan Armada8
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- Chevrolet Suburban83
- 2022 Cadillac Escalade110
- GMC Yukon248
