2019 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Escalade years
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade has a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Escalade years. NHTSA lists 25 complaints, 0 recalls, and Engine issues make up 68% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14 city / 22 hwy
Top 2019 Cadillac Escalade problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine17 (68%)
- Other3 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (12%)
- Electrical System2 (8%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the engine developing a knocking or banging sound along with the check engine light, sometimes leading to abnormal shifting or hesitation.
- Some describe lifter failures on the 6.2L V8 that damage the camshaft and require top-half engine repair, with one owner noticing the noise starting near 70,000 miles.
- One owner reported the Active Fuel Management system starving lifters of lubrication, snapping a push rod that later broke again after repair.
- A transmission or valve body failure was reported at roughly 77,100 miles, causing harsh shifting and hesitation.
- Owners describe the front suspension shuddering during acceleration, which a shop could not diagnose despite suspension work.
- Some owners report headlights that are excessively bright and side mirrors with blind spots large enough to reduce visibility.
2019 Cadillac Escalade recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2019 Cadillac Escalade fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- Compared to other Escalade model years, the 2019 has a "Good" verdict with a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 years tracked, meaning it performs better than most other years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2019 Cadillac Escalade?
- Engine problems dominate, accounting for 68% of the 25 complaints NHTSA has on file, with a median mileage at failure of 48,000 miles for that category.
- Does the 2019 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2019 Escalade, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 Escalade compare to the 2015 or 2023 Escalade?
- The 2019 has a Complaint Index of 33, far below the 2015 (87), 2022 (93), and 2023 (100), all of which carry "Avoid" verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Cadillac Escalade?
- EPA rates the 2019 Escalade at 17 mpg combined (14 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,700.