RoadVitals

2020 Cadillac Escalade Esv

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
21
Latest Jun 12, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 25, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Cadillac Escalade Esv, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and other / unspecified categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 661 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1443.8%
  • Airbags412.5%
  • Other / unspecified412.5%
  • Fuel system39.4%
  • Body & structure26.3%
  • Electrical13.1%
  • Driver assistance13.1%
  • Steering13.1%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
21V115000

TIRES

Feb 25, 2021
33,838 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
The risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N212329050View on NHTSA.gov
19V837000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Nov 21, 2019
502 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
The risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number N192283991View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2026

This vehicle is equipped with the 6.2 V8 engine we have experienced catastrophic engine failure twice. The vehicle is relatively low mileage.

NHTSA ID
11743653
Incident
Jun 11, 2026
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed May 8, 2026

Purchased a 2020 Cadillac Escalade Suburban about three months ago from GMC dealership at 8155 Interstate 35, San Antonio, Texas 78224. This vehicle had about 50,000 miles when we bought it. We were not driving the Escalade everyday, we use it occasionally and about a month after we purchased it the battery went dead. Before the battery went completely dead we were on the road one day and we rolled down the window and it would not roll back up, then the back window popped open and it would not shut back down. GMC dealership we bought it from came to our home and used a charger to recharge the battery. We took it to the dealership service department and dealership determined it was a bad battery, they gave us a new battery. On May 4, we attempted to use the Escalade and once more the battery was dead. Service person from GMC dealership came back to our home to charge the new battery but it would not start at all this time. We no longer feel safe driving this vehicle and want to turn it back in as a lemon and get our money back.

NHTSA ID
11736511
Incident
May 4, 2026
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2026

There is something causing an engine misfire, and this was the first time it happened. It has happened again, and I realized that there were a lot of class action lawsuits about lifter failure in these engines

NHTSA ID
11734715
Incident
May 13, 2025
Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2026

While driving on a highway, my wife abruptly experienced warning lights, loud rattling from engine and loss of power. Check engine light indicated cylinder misfire. Troubleshooting revealed a bent push rod and later discover broken lifter. While researching the issue it was found to be a very common issues with vehicles using active fuel management. Issue is so widespread parts are replacement parts are unavailable. If more traffic were around situation could resulted in loss of control in traffic and collision.

NHTSA ID
11731123
Incident
Mar 19, 2026
Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2026

My original factory 2020 Escalade 6.2L engine suddenly without warning seized while driving on a two lane undivided highway. I was forced to steer and brake the vehicle from 70mph to the shoulder of the road. My Vehicle had to be towed to GM dealer who diagnosed a seized engine. GM Replaced engine under warranty. This incident is identical to the 6.2L engine failures of the 2021 to 2024 recall.

NHTSA ID
11727921
Incident
Jun 20, 2025
Engine
Filed Mar 17, 2026

The colling system is not working properly and damage the engine

NHTSA ID
11724916
Incident
Nov 3, 2025
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2026

Persistent Engine Failure and Safety Hazards – 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 97000 miles The vehicle suffered a major engine failure while traveling at highway speeds. The incident began with a loud mechanical knocking from the engine, followed by a sudden loss of propulsion and the vehicle entering "limp mode." Both the Check Engine Light (flashing/solid) and multiple safety system warnings illuminated simultaneously. Diagnostic reports confirmed multiple cylinder misfires. Despite thousands of dollars spent at various independent service centers, the underlying mechanical issues persist, rendering the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for operation.

NHTSA ID
11712596
Incident
Aug 8, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact allowed the vehicle to coast to the shoulder of the roadway and shifted into park(P). The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,236.

NHTSA ID
11710428
Incident
Nov 24, 2025
Mileage
125,236 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT6425D

This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss

PIT6483

This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights causing IPC warning messages and MIL along with several low speed lan DTCs.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Escalade Esv by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026530—
2025101042.7
2024202360.9
2023734366.3
2022524363.9
20216510471.6
2020Viewing212064.9
2019321055.6
2018141056.2
2017371056.3
2016153155.3
2015861—
2014021—
2013241—
2012331—
2011135159.3
2010431—
2009651—
2008174355.7
2007394358.8
2006510—
2005141041.3
2004221042.7
2003121036.5

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.