Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, transmission, and electrical. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2025Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2025 Cadillac Escalade: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
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.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
Worth adding to your 2025 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2025 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-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 16–17 mpg |
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 failure or lifter noise
4,000–9,300 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden engine failure is the main complaint. At highway speed the engine shuts down without warning lights, and the SUV needs a tow. Dealers diagnose engine failure and replace the long block or the whole engine. In one case the radiator failed at the same time. Other reports describe a loud, typewriter-like lifter tapping that speeds up with acceleration, or an engine that sounds different shortly before failing. Problems show up early, between about 4,000 and 9,300 miles. Losing power in fast traffic is a real crash risk. Slow engine replacement has pushed at least one case toward a buyback.
Engines seize at interstate speed, and the vehicle cuts off around 75 mph. One report describes the 6.2-liter L87 V8 breaking a piston and connecting rod, which punched a hole in the block. Another engine locked up at just 939 miles, about a month after purchase. These reports match the catastrophic engine failures filed under the engine category. A sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed with passengers aboard creates a serious crash risk.
Uncommanded vehicle behavior leads these reports. Phantom braking hits at around 45 mph with no obstacle ahead. Hard braking while reversing leaves the SUV locked in place until it is shifted into Park and reset. The transmission also shifts itself into Park while stopped in Drive. Separately, the dash shows service warnings for many systems at once, then the doors lock and refuse to open by app, OnStar, or the manual key. These faults carry loss-of-control risk and can leave occupants stranded or locked out.
Excerpts from complaints Escalade owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The engine suffered catastrophic failure, piston number six 6and connecting rod broke in pieces and made a hole on the block. This is a L 87 engine 6.2 L.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2025 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 Escalade years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Cars shoppers compare with the Cadillac Escalade, with their own 2025 checklists.
2025 owner complaints, side by side
