Quick Answer (TL;DR)
General Motors, LLC is recalling 598K vehicles across multiple models — including the 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade. The reported issue: Engine Failure (NHTSA campaign 25V274000, reported April 24, 2025). The 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 an oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. If the defect persists after the fix, or your dealer can't complete the repair within 30 days, you may qualify for a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law.
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Recall at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Campaign | 25V274000 |
| Date Reported | April 24, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Affected Vehicles | 597,571 (campaign-wide, multiple models) |
| Model Years | 2021-2024 |
| Models Covered | Cadillac Escalade |
| Defect | Engine Failure |
| Safety 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 an 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, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000. |
| Cadillac Customer Service | 1-800-333-4223 |
| Lemon Law Severity | URGENT |
What Is the Defect?
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.
The Safety Consequence
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. NHTSA classifies this as a safety-of-life issue. The remedy must be completed by an authorized Cadillac dealer; owners should not delay scheduling the fix.
The Manufacturer's Remedy
General Motors, LLC will provide the following remedy free of charge: 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 an oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 — referencing NHTSA campaign 25V274000.
Owner Timeline — What to Expect (Weeks 1-4)
For most Escalade owners, the recall repair follows a predictable path. Here's the typical 30-day window — and where lemon-law rights start to apply if it goes off track:
Confirm your VIN at NHTSA.gov. If included, Cadillac mails an owner notification letter. Schedule the repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer.
Dealer performs the 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 an oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual). Save the repair order with date, mileage, technician notes, and recall campaign number.
Drive normally and watch for any return of the defect. Log mileage, location, and time of any incident.
If the defect returns, if dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if a second repair fails — you may qualify under your state's lemon law. Call us.
Does This Qualify for Lemon Law?
A recall by itself does not automatically qualify a vehicle as a lemon. What matters is whether the defect is fixed after reasonable repair attempts. Most state lemon laws require:
- Substantial impairment to safety, value, or use of the vehicle (the engine failure clearly qualifies)
- A reasonable number of repair attempts (typically 3-4 for the same issue, or 1-2 for safety defects)
- OR 30+ cumulative days out of service for warranty repairs
- The defect persists despite the manufacturer's attempt to fix
Recall 25V274000 helps a lemon-law claim two ways: (1) the recall itself is documented evidence the defect exists, and (2) if the manufacturer's remedy doesn't permanently fix the engine failure — or introduces a new problem — that failed remedy is exactly what lemon law was designed to address. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act adds an additional layer of protection that typically requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees.
Your Lemon Law Rights by State
Easy Lemon represents Escalade owners nationwide. Lemon-law statutes vary by state — here are key jurisdictions where we have deep state-court experience:
Texas
24 months / 24K miles. 4 repair attempts (or 2 for serious safety defects).
Arizona
24 months / 24K miles. 4 repair attempts or 30+ days out of service. Safety defects: 2 attempts.
New York
24 months / 18K miles. 4 repair attempts or 30+ days out of service. Among the most consumer-friendly.
New Jersey
24 months / 24K miles. 3 repair attempts or 20+ days out of service. 6-year statute of limitations.
Free VIN Lookup — Is Your Escalade Affected?
Check your 17-character VIN against NHTSA campaign 25V274000
Enter your VIN below — we'll open the official NHTSA recall lookup in a new tab so you can verify whether your specific Escalade is covered.
Prefer to talk to a lemon-law attorney first? Get a free case review — we'll handle the VIN check and tell you whether you qualify under your state's lemon law.
What to Do Right Now
- Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls to confirm your 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade is included in campaign 25V274000.
- Schedule the recall repair at an authorized Cadillac dealer (1-800-333-4223). The repair is free of charge.
- Save every repair order. Get a paper or digital copy showing date, mileage, technician notes, and campaign number 25V274000.
- Document any incidents. If the defect returns after the recall fix, log the date, time, mileage, road conditions — and photos or video if safe. This evidence is critical for a lemon-law claim.
- Contact a lemon law attorney if the defect returns, if your dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if your VIN is on a do-not-drive list. Get a free case review here.
Past Cadillac Lemon-Law Settlements
Easy Lemon has recovered millions for Cadillac owners nationwide. Three representative outcomes:
Easy Lemon — No Cost Case Review
Easy Lemon represents vehicle owners nationwide, with deep state-court experience in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, New York, and New Jersey. No upfront fees. When we win, General Motors, LLC typically pays our attorney fees under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Call 1-855-435-3666 or submit your case online — VIN check is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade engine failure recall covered by lemon law?
Yes, if the defect substantially impairs the safety, value, or use of your 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and cannot be repaired after reasonable attempts. NHTSA campaign 25V274000 itself is documented evidence the engine failure exists — strengthening any lemon-law claim under state law and federal Magnuson-Moss.
What if my Cadillac dealer can't perform the recall repair?
If General Motors, LLC or its dealer network cannot complete the recall repair for campaign 25V274000 within roughly 30 cumulative days, that delay can independently qualify the vehicle under state lemon law as an inability-to-repair — even if you never had a failed repair attempt.
Do I need to complete the recall repair before filing a lemon-law claim?
In most cases, yes. Courts and arbitrators expect General Motors, LLC to be given an opportunity to cure the defect. Recommended path: complete the dealer's recall repair first, document each visit, and file a lemon-law claim only if the defect persists or the dealer can't perform the fix within 30 days.
How much can I recover under Cadillac lemon law for the 25V274000 recall?
Three outcomes are common for owners of the affected 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade: a manufacturer buyback (full purchase price minus a mileage-use deduction), a comparable replacement vehicle, or cash compensation if you keep the vehicle. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims can also recover attorney fees — typically paid by General Motors, LLC, not by you.
How do I check if my Escalade VIN is affected by recall 25V274000?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your VIN is included in NHTSA campaign 25V274000, you'll see the open recall listed. You can also call Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 with your VIN, or use the free VIN check on the Easy Lemon contact page to learn about your lemon-law rights.
How long do I have to file a lemon-law claim for the Escalade recall?
Statute of limitations varies by state: Florida and Texas typically allow 4 years from the manufacturer's last repair attempt, Georgia 1-2 years, Arizona 4 years, New York 4 years, and New Jersey 6 years. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims may extend the window. Document every repair visit for the 25V274000 fix and contact a lemon-law attorney early to preserve your rights.
What is the remedy for the Cadillac Escalade recall 25V274000?
General Motors, LLC's remedy is: 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 an oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. The fix is provided free of charge under federal recall law. If the remedy fails to fix the engine failure, that failed remedy strengthens your lemon-law case — keep the dealer's repair order and any post-repair incident logs.
Does the engine failure count as a safety defect?
Yes. NHTSA classifies the engine failure as a safety issue: engine failure increases the risk of a crash. Safety defects typically qualify for lemon-law relief faster than non-safety issues — most state statutes require fewer repair attempts (often just 2) for documented safety defects.
Affected by the Cadillac Escalade recall? Get a free case review.
No upfront fees. When we win, General Motors, LLC typically pays our fees under federal Magnuson-Moss law.
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Reviewed by the Easy Lemon editorial team on .