Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking violently. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and contacted an independent mechanic. The check engine warning light was then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed that there was a misfire in cylinder #5. The spark plugs were replaced, and the oil was changed, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who discovered metal shavings in the engine and determined that the camshafts and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who also determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #5 and recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was related to the automatic transmission valve body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 149,050.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine seized, and the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The camshaft and lifters were previously replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
On December 13, 2024, my 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a critical engine failure, requiring it to be towed to the dealership. I had taken delivery of the vehicle just one month prior, on November 13, 2024. The dealership informed me that the engine required a rebuild, including replacement of the lifters. The mechanic who worked on the vehicle stated that the engine had undergone a previous repair for the same issue and that the camshaft was also damaged. This incident posed a significant safety risk. The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was in operation, potentially leading to a loss of control and an accident. [Additional Information] Component/System Failure: Engine, specifically lifters and camshaft. The failed components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Potential loss of control of the vehicle due to engine failure. …
Vehicle: 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN: [redacted] Engine: 6.2L V8 L86 Mileage: Less than 59,000 miles I am reporting a serious premature engine failure involving the 6.2L L86 engine in my 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The vehicle has been properly maintained with regular oil changes and routine service. On September 8, 2026, the vehicle developed a chirping sound during startup. After driving, the chirping stopped, but a ticking noise occurred when the vehicle was restarted. I immediately had the vehicle evaluated by an independent mechanic. The mechanic kept the vehicle for two nights so that a cold-start evaluation could be performed. On September 10, I was informed that the engine noise was caused by lifter failure. The vehicle was then towed to a Cadillac dealership in [redacted]. On [redacted], the Cadillac dealership diagnosed lifter failure and camshaft damage. …
My 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a major engine failure that required a complete engine replacement. Before the failure, the vehicle showed warning signs including rough running and loss of performance. My certified mechanic later explained that the cause of the failure was consistent with engine defects that have led to GM's recall on later-model Escalades. However, the 2019 model year is excluded from that recall. The failure was severe enough that it posed a safety risk had it occurred at highway speed, and it required over $20,000 to replace the engine plus thousands more in related repairs. Multiple other major components failed around the same time (suspension components, thermostat, and A/C compressor). …
I had taken my car in while it was under warranty for my motor the car wouldn't move at all or start. They said it was a cylinder so they replaced the one cylinder and didn't check any others. Just recently in January 2025 I took it back to the dealer for the same issues and they told me I need a whole new motor. Now the car is out of warranty. They charged me close to $1000 just to diagnose the car and tell me I need a They charge me close to $1000 just to diagnose the car and tell me I need a new motor. Apparently the other side of the motor they didn't check had failed. Also my running boards were taken to the dealer for not working properly and they didn't fix them while under warranty and now it's still doing the same thing. Now my air condition isn't blowing cold air I have taken it to the dealer. They claim I have different kind of freon, but I never replaced the Freon. …
My wife was driving our 2019 Cadillac Escalade to work when the vehicle check engine light came on and started to smoke and shake violently. She avoided injury but the car was not drivable. A local independent service center said that the car's cylinder #1 was full of fuel, the spark plug was wet, reported loud bottom end engine noise and that we replace the engine. This appears to be the same issue that sparked the recall of 2021-2024 models. We have proceeded with ordering a replacement engine as a result. The old engine will be available for further inspection if necessary. There were no warning signs prior to this incident.
I bought this 2019 Cadillac Escalade for family safety in November 2024 for 2000 miles from Ken Garfield dealership in America fork Utah. Four months ago he had a mechanical failure which costed $13,000 to repair to which Cadillac covered 90% of the cost. I got it back an 1000 miles later the engine had complete engine failure. Now they are saying they will only cover 60% of the coverage to fix the repair. I have six children and this is our only car. I need my engine repaired. This is a huge burden and we just took a loan out to pay the last repair. Please I beg of you help me.
At 60,000 miles the lifter failed and bent a pushrod rod while driving 65mph on the interstate. I had to slow my driving to 40mph in heavy traffic and "limp" it to the dealership. When I drove it to the local Cadillac dealership, they confirmed what had happened. There were no warning lamps prior to this happening. This is a common failure due to the weak lifters in GM's AFM/DOD feature. If these engines had the same lifters/cam as the Corvettes and Camaros that don't have AFM/DOD, these engines would be a lot more reliable.
Engine complaints in other Escalade ESV years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 62% of the model year's 34 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.