2020 Cadillac Escalade Esv Owner Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

The colling system is not working properly and damage the engine

NHTSA ID

11724916

Incident

Nov 3, 2025

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

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

My Engine is experiencing rough idle. This vehicle has the l87 engine that has been recalled on other year models. Rough idle is one of the symptoms described before complete failure of the l87 engines.

NHTSA ID

11697952

Incident

Oct 2, 2025

My engine completely failed and required replacement. It failed on the highway and luckily I was able to coast to an exit ramp. I had a repair shop replace the entire engine. There are complaints all over the internet about this engine and it failing. GM recalled the 2021 through 2024 engine, but this one is also faulty.

NHTSA ID

11697629

Incident

Apr 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the red traffic light, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The contact stated that upon attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was towed to a certified independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic contacted an unknown dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ID

11662573

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Mileage

105,000 mi

The engine had lost power without warning. While driving at low speed.

NHTSA ID

11660803

Incident

Apr 25, 2025

Knocking noise coming from engine. Chirp noise coming from camshaft, and coils. Cylinder 7 misfiring, metal found in oil. I took my car to the Dealer because of vibration. Replaced 4 tires, balanced and aligned front end, that did not fix the problem. I took it back to the dealer balanced again and repaired valve stem, that still did not fix the vibration. I took the vehicle to 2 other places, balanced the tires again, replaced rear brakes, rotors, shocks still did not fix the vibration. Took the vehicle back to the dealer again, they road force balanced the tires, that still did not fix the problem. I returned home and the next day started the vehicle and heard a bad noise. Towed it to the Dealer they diagnosed engine failure with no warning.

NHTSA ID

11659358

Incident

Feb 17, 2025

I learned that General Motors issued a voluntary recall for engine issues covering 2021 through 2024. I have a 2020 with the same exact engine problem. Basically, the engine completely failed when driving and now I'm stuck making payments on a car that is useless.

NHTSA ID

11657146

Incident

Feb 2, 2025

We had a catastrophic engine failure when it seized up due to the rod bearing wear issue I read yesterday that your agency was investigating. I was told I need a new engine by my mechanic. Please reach out if you need more information. [XXX][XXX]

NHTSA ID

11639250

Incident

Jan 20, 2025

Right front wheel fell off, traction control system and forward collision system were disabled, leaving me stranded on I75.

NHTSA ID

11577251

Incident

Feb 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while he was approaching the vehicle, the side step was extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the actuator was replaced. The failure continued and the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the actuator was replaced again however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA ID

11470740

Incident

Nov 2, 2020

Mileage

5,000 mi

March of this year while on vacation in South Carolina this vehicle had a partial brake failure at 2145 miles. It was repaired in Charlestown S. C. at a Cadillac Dealership and shipped back to Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk Virginia. On 12/21/21 the same issues resurfaced one day prior to heading to South Carolina for Christmas. The vehicle was towed to Rick Hendrick Cadillac in Norfolk Virginia where it will stay. I have loss all confidence in the brake system on that vehicle. It will not come back to my home.

NHTSA ID

11444787

Incident

Dec 21, 2021

er to case number: Case#9-6698447273v 3136671128 Vera Cadillac case Escalated and I am not getting through. Just want to make sure that I made the effort to each our to dealerships and headquarters to no avail. And if this is really is what is happening, this is what really need to be done properly: per lemon vehicle with extended warranty program, with defective equipment (manufacturer’s defects)failure to service right rear tire request per fotainment alert. Plus steering wheel airbag failure to inflate and deploy upon collision, resulting internal injuries, including, but not limited to loss of smell and loss of taste due to this defective automobile. Also note: diagnostics mentioned vehicle was up for a possible recall with its fuel system.

NHTSA ID

11425722

Incident

Nov 13, 2020

LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL EXCEPT FOR BRAIN MATTER FOLLOWED BY NASAL DRIP IN BACK OF THROAT. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. RIGHT REAR TIRE POP IN FREEWAY 94 WESTBOUND ON 13 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2020. USAA SENT DIAGNOSTICS OF VEHICLE'S RECALL INFORMATION. CALLED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE TO REPORT RECALL AND DENIED OFF RECALL AND INFO ON INSURANCE DIAGNOSTICS SENT. SEE UPLOADS:

NHTSA ID

11384854

Incident

Nov 13, 2020

Mileage

25,000 mi

DRIVING 94 WEST BOUND JUMPED OFF MY SEAT AND REMEMBERED I DIDN'T JUST HIT ANYTHING ON THE ROAD. TIRE PASSED ME AND SEATBELT STRANGLED ME WHEN IT PULLED. GRABBED AHOLD OF STEERING WHEEL AND MADE SURE NOT TO HIT ANY OBJECTS OR ANYONE. SOMETHING HIT MY FACE AND GOT DISCOMBOBULATED FROM THE SEATBELT. HAD TO REMEMBER THAT I NEEDED TO UNBUCKLE SEATBELT. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED. CRAWLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE PICKED UP BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. NOT ON MY RIGHT TEMPLE WE'R WENT DOWN, DISCHARGED AND LOSS OF THE TASTE AND SMELL EXCEPT SMELL OF BRAIN MATTER FROM WITHIN FOLLOWED BY FLUID DRIP IN NASAL CAVITY.

NHTSA ID

11384282

Incident

Nov 13, 2020