Luxury used to mean something. When you bought a Cadillac, especially a flagship like the Escalade V, you expected power, comfort, and engineering that could go toe-to-toe with the world’s best. But for some owners today, it seems what they’re getting instead is a painfully expensive lesson in disappointment. This morning I came across a story that left me genuinely stunned, not just because of what happened, but because of how quickly things spiraled out of control on a vehicle that’s supposed to represent the peak of GM's engineering. Jeremy Rupert shared on Facebook that his 2024 Cadillac Escalade V has already suffered two catastrophic engine failures before even reaching 20,000 miles. In his own words:
“Hands down, the 2024 Escalade is the worst car I’ve ever owned. Blew up the engine at 14k miles, air ride suspension went out at 18k miles, and the engine just blew again at 18k miles.
This thing is a lemon and 100% is getting bought back from GM this week.
Literally had it back for 1.5 days after being in the shop for over a month this last time and 6 weeks the time before. Good news is the tow truck is on the way and we are still going boating. It’s almost comical how bad these cars are now.”
A Wave of Similar Stories From Frustrated Owners
Wow. What a surreal situation, especially for a vehicle that can easily top $150,000 when fully optioned. And clearly, Jeremy wasn’t alone. His post quickly drew in other frustrated GM and Cadillac owners who shared their own troubling experiences with major mechanical failures.
Patryk Pańczyszyn responded, “I don’t have an Escalade, but bought the wife a ‘22 Yukon Denali and the motor went out at 18k and the fuel pump at 20k. Insane for the amount these things cost.”
This comment strikes at a broader point. Escalade V or not, these premium GM SUVs share critical components across the board. While the Escalade V has the LT4 engine, it raises the question of broader GM engine reliability across the board. And as discussed in my other article about potential L87 engine replacements, GM is reportedly evaluating widespread fixes due to reliability concerns tied to this engine family. Could the LT4 be subject to the same fate?
Trip Dunagan put his concern bluntly: “Did I read this right? You blew two engines before 20k miles?” We know Trip. It truly makes you rub your eyes and question if what you're reading is true. Sadly though, it wasn’t just disbelief as it was recognition. People have seen this pattern before.
Luke Woodard shared an even longer nightmare ownership experience: “How about a motor change that took 28 days, then back to getting it towed the next day for loose electricals. Then fast forward to now, it’s been in the shop for 103 days for an AC leak under the carpet that they can’t find!”
Another owner with a blow to the Cadillac reputation. Luke even shared an image in his comment for us to see as well:
These clearly aren't isolated stories. And when Cadillac’s most expensive, high-performance SUV can’t stay out of the shop, it again raises tough questions about GM’s current reliability standards. This is especially given how I said GM is already recalling nearly 600,000 trucks and SUVs from 2021 to 2024 for potential V8 engine failures.
Cameron Alexis added a sharp dose of cynicism: “What do you expect? It’s a GM product.” That comment may sound harsh, but it echoes a growing sentiment that some buyers no longer expect long-term reliability from even the brand’s top-tier offerings.
The Electric Pivot: Will The Escalade IQ L Change Minds?
What makes this whole ordeal even more ironic is that Cadillac is simultaneously marketing its next-gen Escalade IQ EV as a game-changer in tech, power, and refinement. There’s even talk that the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ L might finally be the push needed to get people to consider going electric. But for owners like Jeremy, who are knee-deep in tow trucks and buybacks, it’s hard to imagine trusting the brand again, electric or not.
The Escalade V was supposed to represent Cadillac’s halo product. It's meant to be an SUV that blended supercharged performance with full-size luxury. On paper, it’s got the muscle to rival any top-tier SUV, but that means little if it can’t survive a basic ownership cycle. And Cadillac knows this. Just last year, they made headlines by packing even more luxury and technology into the 2025 Escalade, but reliability didn’t seem to make the list.
As a journalist, I can’t help but think this moment reflects a bigger shift. Luxury isn’t just about horsepower or leather, it's about trust. People buy brands like Cadillac because they want confidence, not just in performance but in peace of mind. When an expensive SUV starts falling apart before the warranty is even halfway through, it’s more than a mechanical failure because it becomse a failure of brand promise. Jeremy’s experience, sadly, isn’t a bizarre one-off. It’s a red flag for anyone considering a high-end GM product today. And we’ve even seen cases where Cadillac Escalade owners are trading their vehicles for Cybertrucks just for peace of mind, even if that peace comes with a different kind of controversy.
Key Takeaways for Readers
Escalade V Reliability Is a Serious Question: Two blown engines before 20k miles is not just rare, but unacceptable for any vehicle, let alone Cadillac’s top-tier SUV.
GM Powertrain Issues May Be More Widespread: Multiple commenters shared similar failures on related GM vehicles, raising concerns about common platforms and engines.
Buybacks Are Becoming More Common: With GM reportedly buying back Jeremy’s Escalade, it shows that even manufacturers know when a product has missed the mark.
Luxury Doesn’t Excuse Poor Engineering: No amount of tech or leather can make up for the fundamental failures in powertrain durability and suspension systems.
The Next Escalade May Be Electric, But It Must Be Reliable: As Cadillac moves toward EVs like the IQ L, mechanical integrity will be the foundation for brand recovery.
What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on GM's quality today? Are they missing the reliability mark in your opinion?
And would you still consider buying a Cadillac in the future, or has your trust in the brand already started to slip after hearing stories like this?
Your opinions add real value to the conversation, so don't hesitate to share them in the comments section below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: Jeremy Rupert's public Facebook post, Cadillac's gallery, and Luke Woodard's comment, respectively.
