YearToAvoid

2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 65% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 89,700 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
65/100
#8 of 21 Escalade ESV years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
34
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2018
rated Good

Top 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine22 (65%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain9 (26%)
  3. Electrical System6 (18%)
  4. Other5 (15%)
  5. Fuel System3 (9%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (9%)
  7. Brakes2 (6%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engines seize or stall suddenly while driving, sometimes without any warning lights, occasionally leading to towing and dealership diagnosis.
  • Owners report repeated lifter and camshaft replacements, in one case done three times before the engine seized again.
  • Power retractable running boards fail to deploy or retract consistently, creating a fall or injury risk when entering or exiting the vehicle.
  • One owner reported an engine fire preceded by a puff of black smoke while driving.
  • Electrical issues include a tire pressure gauge that reads the wrong tire and headlights described as excessively bright and glaring to other drivers.
  • A brake complaint described the vehicle failing to slow down properly despite hard braking, resulting in a rear-end crash.
2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2019Mar 2022Jan 2025May 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2026 (5).

2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V673000Sep 26, 2018Seat Belts15,800 vehicles

    Seat belts:rear/other

    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."

    Risk: 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.

2019 compared with other Escalade ESV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Avoid85381—
2018Good45151—
2019Caution65341—
2020Avoid80222—
2021Avoid957110—

All Cadillac Escalade ESV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 model carries a Complaint Index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years of the Escalade ESV. Engine problems account for 65% of its complaints.
What is the main problem with the 2019 Escalade ESV?
Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 65% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 89,700 miles. Owners describe stalling, seizing, and repeated lifter or camshaft replacements.
Does the 2019 Escalade ESV have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2019 Escalade ESV, covering rear seatbelt retractor assemblies on second- and third-row seats that may not lock automatically as intended.
How does the 2019 Escalade ESV compare to other years?
With a Complaint Index of 65, the 2019 model is worse than years like 2018 (Complaint Index 45, Good verdict) but better than 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, which all carry Avoid verdicts with higher indexes.
Were there any fires or crashes reported for the 2019 Escalade ESV?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire reported for the 2019 model year, along with 2 injuries and no deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.