Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 69 | 52% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 8% |
| Power train | 5 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Power train | 3 | 2% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 3 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Oil pressure sesnsor warning. The dealership is saying I need a new motor.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I am reporting ongoing safety concerns with my 2023 Cadillac Escalade involving unexpected acceleration and loss of propulsion while driving. On XXX, while traveling to [XXX] in slow-moving traffic with Super Cruise enga
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I was driving down the road, doing approximately 50 mph, when my vehicle shifted itself into neutral and I lost power completely. The information center said "reduced power. Press the start button to regain power," which
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Total engine failure. Had to replace entire engine. Crank shaft issue. We had just returned from vacation and could have been stranded MILES away. Willis Cadillac in Iowa replaced the engine. No warning light whatsoeve
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Transmission control module went out of the blue, caused limp mode on the highway and barely got off. Damaged the Transmission, had to replace by cadillac. 2 weeks later after i got the car back, blew 3 fuses and the s
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Re: 2023 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L Engine Recall and Safety Concern. I followed the recall process, had the prescribed remedy performed, and yet the information now available has left me with substantially diminished confi
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The engine/powertrain malfunctioned on my 2023 Cadillac Escalade at approximately 29,434 miles, ultimately requiring complete engine replacement. During the engine repair, the Cadillac technician also discovered that the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
On 06/23/2026 at approximately 62,745 miles, I brought my 2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine to a Cadillac dealership because of excessive engine oil consumption. The vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 wh
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
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
Risk: A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-22
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
Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owne
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 d
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 filt
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 51 | average |
| Depreciation | 56 | average |
| Performance | 81 | excellent |
| Efficiency | 28 | below average |
| Safety | 73 | good |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 69 of them (52%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2023 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.