2022 Cadillac Escalade Safety Report
2022 Cadillac Escalade Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 Cadillac Escalade. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (60) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Cadillac Escalade with 10 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2023 | Check the 2023 Cadillac Escalade before buying across this generation. |
Cadillac Escalade Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Cadillac Escalade years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Cadillac Escalade | 106 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Cadillac Escalade | 67 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Cadillac Escalade | 36 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Cadillac Escalade | 11 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Cadillac Escalade | 10 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Cadillac Escalade | 21 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2022 Cadillac Escalade Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 Cadillac Escalade, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Cadillac onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Cadillac onlyPower Train,Engine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Cadillac onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Cadillac onlyElectrical System,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Cadillac onlyPower Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Cadillac onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
Reliability Score
The 2022 Cadillac Escalade receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Recalled for hard parts internal/mechanical defects, affecting 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade models. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Transmission Control Module Software Recalled for software issues, affecting 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and G models. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Control Module Software Recalled for software defects, affecting 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5, and 2021-2023 Buick Envision models. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belt Critical Fasteners Recalled for critical fastener issues, affecting 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban models. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade:
Issues with engine performance and reliability.
Problems with automatic transmission control module software.
Defects in exterior lighting control module software.
Critical fastener issues with seat belts.
Recall Details for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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, Ch...
Summary: 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."
Consequence: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 prev...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: 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 a...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
On March 19, 2026 around 830AM EST, the vehicle turned off while I was driving around ~40mph. I lost all power while on a busy street and I was unable to move the car to the side of the road. The car would not shift into drive or neutral, and therefore remained in the middle of the road until a tow truck had to flatbed it to the Cadillac dealership. The L87 recall on this vehicle was performed in...
There was a recall on my Cadillac Escalade regarding the engine. We had the vehicle inspected in the fall and were told that our engine was not affected and was safe to operate. However, on Sunday, March 8, the engine suddenly failed while I was driving on an exit ramp with children in the car. There were no warning lights or prior indications of a problem. I took the appropriate steps to have the...
My 2022 Cadillac Escalade Sports Platinum has shut down several times while I'm driving, and recently it started shifting into neutral on its own. I have three kids, and my whole family was in the car when this happened. Once, it shut down and shifted to neutral as I was crossing a busy street at night. I was really scared that someone might hit us because it was hard to see. I will take the SUV t...
My engine died 3 times so far. The first time it had 20,000 miles, I was driving on the freeway and my vehicle died. The dealer replaced the engine. The second time there was a recall for the engine, it had around 88,000 miles and the engine was replaced for a 2nd time. Note I’m at 94,000 miles and my car died on the freeway again. It has been at the dealer for more than a week and they haven’t e...
Engine stopped working. Dealer is replacing engine, starter and battery fuse box.
The engine suddenly stalled while I was driving on a public road, creating an immediate safety hazard. The check‑engine light came on, and the dashboard warned of zero oil pressure. I had no choice but to have the vehicle towed to a Cadillac dealership. After their inspection, I was informed that the engine had catastrophically failed and required full replacement. This failure occurred right afte...
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH to the dealer, the vehicle experienced reduced engine power. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was associated wit...
After receiving the recall notice, the car was taken to the dealership in Mid-November 2025 at 42,713 miles for the pico engine test. The engine passed the test and had the oil and oil filter changed to the 0-W40 oil and a new oil cap. On January 9, 2026 at approx. 43,700 miles, the engine seized while driving the freeway at approx. 70 mph. The car was towed to the same dealership who confirmed...
We were driving down the road and the car completely quit running I could not steer it and it was moving to a coast mode The motor locked up and it had to be replaced Since being replaced I keep hearing tapping noises in the motor and everytime I bring it in they always say there nothing wrong with my car I also stated that sometimes it cuts out or loses power but still they say nothing is ...
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.
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the message "Low Engine Oil" was displayed prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the oil consumption test. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The veh...
The onstar module has failed and this seems to be an ongoing issue with a lot of gm’s. My car was recently in to fix the major gm engine recall and after that my onstar stopped working. I called and they said it’s not a connectivity issue it’s a part issue. So it will have to be taken to the dealership. I pay money to have onstar and unlimited WiFi. There should be a recall for this.
1.) Loud engine ticking and clicking noise when car is in park position. 2.) Vibration in steering wheel after numerous alignment and wheel balancing services. Even purchased 4 new tires and vibration still continues.
I was driving my 2022 Cadillac Escalade when suddenly the engine shut off. Lost the ability to drive forward and steering became hard. I was close to being rear-ended as I was on the highway. Towed it to the dealer who said engine seized. Installed new engine after a month of waiting and the vehicle doesn't run right. It has a rough idle. Dealer installed incorrect oil as replacement engines wer...
Took my car to the shop yesterday due to heating a ticking sound coming from the engine. This is the new engine that was replaced AFTER a catastrophic engine failure on May 16, 2025. The service department inspected my vehicle and found metal shards in the oil filter. They need to keep the vehicle because it will need another new engine. This will be the third new engine in a year since the recall...
My engine was replaced in January of 2025 before the actual recall. I have the serial [XXX] for my new engine . I need to know the build date of this engine so that I can know if my 2nd engine is a new engine with the corrected crankshaft or the remaufactured engine with the defective crankshaft.GM refuses to tell me the build date I have a right to know. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE...
After waiting months to get my vehicle checked for recall N252494000 NHTSA 25V274 I was told my vehicle passed inspection. When I asked to see the detailed results of the pico test I was told there are no detailed results and I was not shown anything proving my vehicle was tested and whether it passed or failed. My invoice states "Performed pico test test took multiple tries to complete having t...
My engine all of a sudden went dead in the middle of an intersection. I was unable to put the vehicle in neutral and move it so it was stuck in the middle of an intersection until the tow truck arrived. In addition, it had to be dragged due to this issue - which I’m sure isn’t good for it.
Vehicle Make: Cadillac Vehicle Model: Escalade Model Year: 2022 Component(s) Affected: Engine, Fuel System, Powertrain, Vehicle Stability Control Incident Date: [Insert Date of Incident] Mileage at Time of Incident: [Insert Approximate Mileage] Summary of Complaint: While driving my 2022 Cadillac Escalade at approximately 70 mph on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost all power and stability. Th...
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Showing 20 of 60 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2026-01-16
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 36 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V274. In each VOQ, the engine had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported failure incident. Recall 25V-274 addresses vehicles equipped with a L87 6.2L V8 gas engine that experienced engine damage or failure. Recall 25V-274’s remedy includes an engine inspection. Based on the results of the inspection the vehicle will receive an oil chang...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Opened 2025-01-16 · Closed 2025-10-23
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Opened 2025-10-23
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Cadillac Escalade
Has the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE been recalled?
Yes, the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE have?
The 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE has 60 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
The 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE involve engine (29 complaints), engine and engine cooling (8 complaints), power train,engine (4 complaints). Other affected components include engine,fuel/propulsion system, electrical system,engine, power train,unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE out of 60 total complaints (6.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE out of 60 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE is acceptable with caveats. It has 60 complaints, 4 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
The components with the most failures on the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE are: 1. ENGINE (29 complaints), 2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (8 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (4 complaints), 4. ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (2 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 29 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
Be aware of recalls and take your vehicle to a dealership for necessary repairs to address engine and transmission issues. The 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE has 60 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
The 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 60 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Automatic Transmission Control Module Software.
What are the known issues with the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
Known issues with the 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Automatic Transmission Control Module Software, Exterior Lighting Control Module Software, Seat Belt Critical Fasteners. These are based on patterns found across 60 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade?
Common issues include engine and transmission problems, as well as exterior lighting defects.
How often have engine issues been reported?
Engine issues have been reported frequently, with multiple drivers experiencing engine stalling and power loss.
Are there any recalls for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and transmission issues, as well as exterior lighting defects.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of recalls and take your vehicle to a dealership for necessary repairs to address engine and transmission issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Cadillac Escalade
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The data includes 60 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2022 Cadillac Escalade an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13