2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
108,350 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 32 complaints (59.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 15.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 19 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 1 |
Engine: 19; Power Train: 9; Electrical System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2019: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 15; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11182807 · 2019-02-27 (February 27, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11182807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11266568 · 2019-10-06 (October 6, 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 244 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268683 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11268683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434898 · 2021-09-29 (September 29, 2021)
When the battery goes low the gear change from park to neutral . That happen to my vehiculo I found few feet outside brim my parking space and it was the gear in neutral
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456785 · 2022-03-15 (March 15, 2022)
Vehicle caught on fire while owner was driving. Owner reported small puff of black smoke prior to fire.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525708 · 2023-06-06 (June 6, 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528007 · 2023-06-20 (June 20, 2023)
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 nothi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11604768 · 2024-07-26 (July 26, 2024)
The tire pressure guage reads the opposite tire. Causes allot of confusion and is a safety concern for anyone who owns the car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11604768 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V673000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2018-09-26 (September 26, 2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
NHTSA campaign record ↗