RoadVitals

2019 Cadillac Escalade Esv Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Jul 11, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Cadillac Escalade Esv, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine2043.5%
  • Electrical510.9%
  • Fuel system36.5%
  • Driver assistance36.5%
  • Body & structure24.3%
  • Brakes24.3%
  • Interior & seats12.2%
  • Exterior lighting12.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

At 60,000 miles the lifter failed and bent a pushrod rod while driving 65mph on the interstate. I had to slow my driving to 40mph in heavy traffic and "limp" it to the dealership. When I drove it to the local Cadillac dealership, they confirmed what had happened. There were no warning lamps prior to this happening. This is a common failure due to the weak lifters in GM's AFM/DOD feature. If these engines had the same lifters/cam as the Corvettes and Camaros that don't have AFM/DOD, these engines would be a lot more reliable.

NHTSA ID 11749695 · filed Jul 11, 2026

11/26/25 at 85,400 miles on the v8 6.2L L86 engine, I began experiencing rough idle, loss of engine power and propulsion, a ticking/ knocking noise at idle and when RPMs increased as well as blinking engine warning light. Diagnostics/Repair work was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville to fix an ignition coil that was giving the engine error code. 2/24/26 At 86,697 miles, I began having rough idle worse than before, loss of power when accelerating and driving, knocking sounds that increased with acceleration in RPMs as well as a blinking engine warning light. All spark plugs and wiring were changed by Cadillac which resolved engine error codes for misfire. Diagnostics/Repair was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville. 3/30/26 at 87,246 (only 549 miles since the previous work up,) the car began to idle rough, and have a audible rhythmic tapping and knocking when accelerating and increasing RPMs. During driving, I experienced flashing engine light, and then sudden loss of power and control of vehicle. 3/30/26 Veh towed toThompson GMC, of Placerville, CA diagnosed vehicle with full engine failure from broken connecting rods and crankshaft of engine. Dealership is recommending full engine replacement, costing approx $23,000. This engine failure occurred on XXX in [XXX] …a dangerous, steep and curvy 2 lane highway. The engine light and loud forceful knocking happened almost simultaneously, without warning. I was forced to perform a dangerous maneuver to exit the highway into a gas station. Had I not done so, the engine failure could have caused full control loss of the vehicle. Traveling approx 50-65mph with my wife, [XXX] son and 2 daughters, an engine failure put my entire family at risk of serious injury or death. Had I not acted quickly, the outcome would have been catastrophic if not fatal. The vehicle is currently at Thompson GMC, [XXX] and available for further inspection. We believe this may be related to NHTSA EA25007. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID 11728347 · filed Mar 31, 2026
All 20 reports naming engine

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

11/26/25 at 85,400 miles on the v8 6.2L L86 engine, I began experiencing rough idle, loss of engine power and propulsion, a ticking/ knocking noise at idle and when RPMs increased as well as blinking engine warning light. Diagnostics/Repair work was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville to fix an ignition coil that was giving the engine error code. 2/24/26 At 86,697 miles, I began having rough idle worse than before, loss of power when accelerating and driving, knocking sounds that increased with acceleration in RPMs as well as a blinking engine warning light. All spark plugs and wiring were changed by Cadillac which resolved engine error codes for misfire. Diagnostics/Repair was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville. 3/30/26 at 87,246 (only 549 miles since the previous work up,) the car began to idle rough, and have a audible rhythmic tapping and knocking when accelerating and increasing RPMs. During driving, I experienced flashing engine light, and then sudden loss of power and control of vehicle. 3/30/26 Veh towed toThompson GMC, of Placerville, CA diagnosed vehicle with full engine failure from broken connecting rods and crankshaft of engine. Dealership is recommending full engine replacement, costing approx $23,000. This engine failure occurred on XXX in [XXX] …a dangerous, steep and curvy 2 lane highway. The engine light and loud forceful knocking happened almost simultaneously, without warning. I was forced to perform a dangerous maneuver to exit the highway into a gas station. Had I not done so, the engine failure could have caused full control loss of the vehicle. Traveling approx 50-65mph with my wife, [XXX] son and 2 daughters, an engine failure put my entire family at risk of serious injury or death. Had I not acted quickly, the outcome would have been catastrophic if not fatal. The vehicle is currently at Thompson GMC, [XXX] and available for further inspection. We believe this may be related to NHTSA EA25007. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID 11728347 · filed Mar 31, 2026

Transmission would intermittently lock up and cause rough running conditions. Occasionally causing wheels to lock up and the vehicle to lose control. Took the vehicle to multiple service facilities and was told this is a common issue with this transmission and it is in need of replacement to remedy the issue. The vehicle has 85,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID 11727496 · filed Mar 27, 2026
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV on November 5, 2025, from a private dealer. The contact stated that upon having a State Inspection performed on the vehicle, the vehicle failed the inspection. The mechanic stated that the amount of mechanical work needed to repair the vehicle did not match the low mileage on the vehicle. The contact then obtained a Carfax Report and discovered the mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 65,800; however, the Carfax report discovered that the mileage was 237,000 in September of 2025. The contact reported the issue to the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition, the contact reported the issue to the Howard Police Department and the Howard County District Attorney of Maryland. After having the cases dropped by the various agencies, the contact called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was referred to the NHTSA to report the issue.

NHTSA ID 11722926 · filed Mar 9, 2026

My vehicles passenger seat is laid back and the button to bring seat back up is not functioning. The passenger side window will not roll up or down, the sensor on the side view mirror is not working. The automatic power running board is not working on passenger side. The tire monitor is not working.

NHTSA ID 11720020 · filed Feb 23, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

11/26/25 at 85,400 miles on the v8 6.2L L86 engine, I began experiencing rough idle, loss of engine power and propulsion, a ticking/ knocking noise at idle and when RPMs increased as well as blinking engine warning light. Diagnostics/Repair work was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville to fix an ignition coil that was giving the engine error code. 2/24/26 At 86,697 miles, I began having rough idle worse than before, loss of power when accelerating and driving, knocking sounds that increased with acceleration in RPMs as well as a blinking engine warning light. All spark plugs and wiring were changed by Cadillac which resolved engine error codes for misfire. Diagnostics/Repair was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville. 3/30/26 at 87,246 (only 549 miles since the previous work up,) the car began to idle rough, and have a audible rhythmic tapping and knocking when accelerating and increasing RPMs. During driving, I experienced flashing engine light, and then sudden loss of power and control of vehicle. 3/30/26 Veh towed toThompson GMC, of Placerville, CA diagnosed vehicle with full engine failure from broken connecting rods and crankshaft of engine. Dealership is recommending full engine replacement, costing approx $23,000. This engine failure occurred on XXX in [XXX] …a dangerous, steep and curvy 2 lane highway. The engine light and loud forceful knocking happened almost simultaneously, without warning. I was forced to perform a dangerous maneuver to exit the highway into a gas station. Had I not done so, the engine failure could have caused full control loss of the vehicle. Traveling approx 50-65mph with my wife, [XXX] son and 2 daughters, an engine failure put my entire family at risk of serious injury or death. Had I not acted quickly, the outcome would have been catastrophic if not fatal. The vehicle is currently at Thompson GMC, [XXX] and available for further inspection. We believe this may be related to NHTSA EA25007. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID 11728347 · filed Mar 31, 2026

My vehicles passenger seat is laid back and the button to bring seat back up is not functioning. The passenger side window will not roll up or down, the sensor on the side view mirror is not working. The automatic power running board is not working on passenger side. The tire monitor is not working.

NHTSA ID 11720020 · filed Feb 23, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2019 Escalade. During summer temperatures, unable to control pedal position adjustment and vehicle automatically moves the pedals all the way forward. When the pedal position button is pushed, the pedals make clicking noise but do not adjust. No warning lights. Issue is intermittent. It becomes very difficult to drive the vehicle with both the accelerator and brake pedals in the fully forward position. Vehicle has not been inspected.

NHTSA ID 11733626 · filed Apr 24, 2026

I was driving on the freeway on Cruise Control going 80 mph. All the sudden my speedometer dropped and I had no power. My Transmission Light Started Blinking Cruise Control stopped working and my Car Started Shaking Violently and Sounded Clunky. I had to pull over to the shoulder immediately. I Called my Mechanic and he told me not to drive it any Further So we Towed the vehicle to his shop. There was absolutely no warning signs. This was the only sign something was wrong.

NHTSA ID 11708217 · filed Jan 1, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The Power Step / Running Boards do not operate as intended, especially on the driver's side. They are not deploying or retracting as they should, possibly leading to personal injury, ie. spain ankles, injury to the knees, legs and or backs of individuals, who assume the Power Step has deployed before entering or exiting the vehicle. I am seeking a recall be established concerning this matter, and a class action suit against General Motors be developed immediately. I have had my vehicle inspected, at a dealership, as many owners have, with nothing being found. Only to leave in disgust, and have to live with this daily issue. Something needs to be done about this problem, these are some very expensive vehicles, and owners like myself should not have to deal with this persist issue.

NHTSA ID 11528007 · filed Jun 20, 2023

The power retractable running boards do not always deploy. This has caused me to almost fall to the ground a few times. I have taken it to the dealer at least 5 times and each time they say nothings wrong or they can't find anything even when it happens to them. This form will not let me fill in miles. Right now there are 32k on my vehicle. This happens when I am parked.

NHTSA ID 11525708 · filed Jun 6, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY PRIMARY CONCERN WHEN SHOPPING FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS SAFETY, SO INSTEAD OF PURCHASING THE COMPARABLE GMC DENALI, I CHOSE THE CADILLAC WITH THE PREMIUM LUXURY TRIM LEVEL. THE CADILLAC WEBSITE ADVERTISED, AND THE AUTONATION CADILLAC WEST PALM BEACH SALESMAN ASSURED ME, THAT THE PREMIUM LUXURY PACKAGE INCLUDED 'LOW SPEED FORWARD AUTOMATIC BRAKING.' THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS IMPORTANT TO ME AND WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE GMC DENALI. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE UNRELATED ISSUES WHICH PROMPTED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES. THROUGH THAT PROCESS, I LEARNED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH 'LOW SPEED AUTOMATIC BRAKING' EVEN THOUGH THE REST OF THE FEATURES OF THE PREMIUM LUXURY TRIM LEVEL APPEAR TO BE INCLUDED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME DURING MY LAST VISIT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN FACT EQUIPPED WITH 'LOW SPEED AUTOMATIC BRAKING.' I WRITE YOU THIS LETTER BOTH AS A FRUSTRATED CONSUMER, BUT ALSO AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN. I CAN ONLY WONDER HOW MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE DRIVING AROUND THINKING THEIR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 'LOW SPEED AUTOMATIC BRAKING.' I ESCALATED MY CONCERN TO GENERAL MOTORS IN JULY 2019, BUT THEY DENIED MY REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ON JULY 17, 2019. I ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP (AUTONATION) BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN RESOLVING THIS AS THEY HAVE BEEN LARGELY UNRESPONSIVE. GENERAL MOTORS AND CADILLAC CONTINUE THEIR DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING TACTICS TO THIS DAY. IF YOU TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE, YOU WILL FIND THE INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TRIM LEVELS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE TERMINOLOGY IS DECEPTIVE AND CONFUSING TO THE AVERAGE CONSUMER. THERE IS A SAFETY FEATURE CALLED 'LOW SPEED FORWARD AUTOMATIC BRAKING' AND ONE CALLED 'FORWARD/REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING.' NOT ONLY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE 2 FEATURES CONFUSING TO A LAY PERSON, BUT MY SALESMAN DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE. *JS

NHTSA ID 11268683 · filed Oct 15, 2019

WHILE ALL ELECTRONIC SAFETY FEATURES WERE ENGAGED, VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN PROPERLY, EVEN WITH LAST MINUTE HARD BREAKING BY DRIVER, VEHICLE CRASHED AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DASHCAM FOOTAGE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

NHTSA ID 11266568 · filed Oct 6, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My vehicles passenger seat is laid back and the button to bring seat back up is not functioning. The passenger side window will not roll up or down, the sensor on the side view mirror is not working. The automatic power running board is not working on passenger side. The tire monitor is not working.

NHTSA ID 11720020 · filed Feb 23, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAR TOO BRIGHT. THEY ARE BLINDING AND CAUSE TOO MUCH GLARE. THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO LOWER MY MIRRORS. THE TAILLIGHTS ARE ALSO WAY TOO BRIGHT. WHEN I AM STUCK BEHIND THIS CAR, I AM BLINDED AND I AM SO ANGRY. ALL HEADLIGHTS MUST BE A SOFT COLOR THAT IS EASY ON THE EYES OF THE DRIVERS IN FRONT AND BEHIND.

NHTSA ID 11182807 · filed Feb 27, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .