2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems
The 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 52 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (40%) concerns engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (17%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 52 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 5 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2019 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV with enough data (20 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting rough. While at a stop light, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was a hard acceleration while driving the vehicle. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the transmission was shifting hard. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign: 24V797000 (Power Train).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV on November 5, 2025, from a private dealer. The contact stated that upon having a State Inspection performed on the vehicle, the vehicle failed the inspection. The mechanic stated that the amount of mechanical work needed to repair the vehicle did not match the low mileage on the vehicle. The contact then obtained a Carfax Report and discovered the mileage discrepancy.