Is the 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE reliable?

The 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE has 176 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE?

Top problems: ENGINE (101 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (15 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (15 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, SUSPENSION:REAR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE?

The 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Cadillac ESCALADE: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE is approximately $2,093/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2023 Cadillac ESCALADE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE has 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.3x the segment average of 53. The most common issue is engine problems (57% of all complaints), specifically: while riding after a stoplight, the engine started malfunctioning and not responding. noise came out apparently from the engine heads (sounded like the valve lifters) . driver was unable to accelerate and take a street exit almost hitting another vehicle the truck was towed. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 3 injuries

176

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

3.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

101 complaints

57%

• While riding after a stoplight, the engine started malfunctioning and not responding. Noise came out apparently from the engine heads (sounded like the valve lifters) . Driver was unable to accelerate and take a street exit almost hitting another vehicle The truck was towed
• INCIDENT: I was driving on the highway when I heard a strange "whistling noise." Thinking the noise originated from an old van in front of me, I passed it. The noise grew louder; the vehicle slowed very suddenly and, I pulled to the side of the road. The "low oil pressure" light came on just as th
• The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway, there was an abnormal popping sound heard. There were no other vehicles nearby. The contact pulled over and checked the vehicle, and the contact became aware that the sunroof had cracked.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“While riding after a stoplight, the engine started malfunctioning and not responding. Noise came out apparently from the engine heads (sounded like the valve lifters) . Driver was unable to accelerate and take a street exit almost hitting another vehicle The truck was towed”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.

Recalls (4)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE08/12/2022

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.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local diesel price)

Per year

$3,080

Per month

$257

Per mile

25.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$4,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,282/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Cadillac ESCALADE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,093

Full coverage / month

$174

Liability only / year

$717

vs US avg

+25%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2093

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 176 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: While riding after a stoplight, the engine started malfunctioning and not responding. Noise came out apparently from the engine heads (sounded like the valve lifters) . Driver was unable to accelerate and take a street exit almost hitting another vehicle The truck was towed
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: Friday 03/03/2023 Off hwy 34 was on i25 for about 5 minutes going 75 I accelerated to 80, to get in my right lane and out of the fast lane got over and a pop up came on my dash board, said press start. I then realized my car lost power on the interstate with cars going 75-80+ mph and I had no way
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Please explain your complaint in detail: Every Cadillac dealership in the area is refusing to service my vehicle for a serious safety recall •GM #: N222384930
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: INCIDENT: I was driving on the highway when I heard a strange "whistling noise." Thinking the noise originated from an old van in front of me, I passed it. The noise grew louder; the vehicle slowed very suddenly and, I pulled to the side of the road. The "low oil pressure" light came on just as th
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)