2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: September 8, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

Vehicle: 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN: [XXX] 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 [XXX]. On XXX, the Cadillac dealership diagnosed lifter failure and camshaft damage. The vehicle had not experienced a loss of oil pressure, noticeable loss of power, hesitation, or other significant warning symptoms before the failure. I am concerned because General Motors has issued technical service bulletins addressing lifter failures and ticking noises involving the 6.2L L86 engine and the Cadillac Escalade, including GM bulletin 15-06-01-002 and GM bulletin 19-NA-218. The vehicle has less than 59,000 miles. I am requesting that NHTSA document this engine failure and review whether similar failures involving this engine and vehicle warrant further investigation or action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 8, 2026 · Filed: September 15, 2026

Subject: 2019 Cadillac Escalade - Delayed Engagement 1st/2nd Gear - Dealer Unable to Diagnose Vehicle: 2019 Cadillac Escalade VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 111,590 Date of incident: XXX to present Dealer: Mark Christopher Auto Center, Ontario, CA I am reporting a transmission safety concern. My 2019 Cadillac Escalade experiences a delayed engagement into Drive and slipping/hesitation when shifting into 1st and 2nd gear, especially on initial launch from a stop. There is a 2-3 second delay before the vehicle moves, followed by a harsh engagement. On XXX I took the vehicle to Mark Christopher Auto Center Cadillac in Ontario, CA for diagnosis. The vehicle was retained for diagnosis. On XXX the dealership informed me the technician could not diagnose and could not repair the issue. No repair was performed. The defect remains. This is a known documented issue. GM Preliminary Information PIP5175E, NHTSA TSB #XXX, states: "vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears." The TSB directs technicians to inspect for loose stator support to pump cover bolts causing a leak at the gasket and to inspect the 1234 clutch plates. This delayed engagement creates a safety hazard when entering traffic or making left turns, as the vehicle does not move when expected. I am requesting NHTSA investigation and manufacturer accountability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: March 30, 2026 · Filed: July 11, 2026

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.

Incident: April 24, 2026 · Filed: April 24, 2026

2019 Escalade. During summer temperatures, unable to control pedal position adjustment and vehicle automatically moves the pedals all the way forward. When the pedal position button is pushed, the pedals make clicking noise but do not adjust. No warning lights. Issue is intermittent. It becomes very difficult to drive the vehicle with both the accelerator and brake pedals in the fully forward position. Vehicle has not been inspected.

Incident: March 30, 2026 · Filed: March 31, 2026

11/26/25 at 85,400 miles on the v8 6.2L L86 engine, I began experiencing rough idle, loss of engine power and propulsion, a ticking/ knocking noise at idle and when RPMs increased as well as blinking engine warning light. Diagnostics/Repair work was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville to fix an ignition coil that was giving the engine error code. 2/24/26 At 86,697 miles, I began having rough idle worse than before, loss of power when accelerating and driving, knocking sounds that increased with acceleration in RPMs as well as a blinking engine warning light. All spark plugs and wiring were changed by Cadillac which resolved engine error codes for misfire. Diagnostics/Repair was done by Reliable GMC/Cadillac of Roseville. 3/30/26 at 87,246 (only 549 miles since the previous work up,) the car began to idle rough, and have a audible rhythmic tapping and knocking when accelerating and increasing RPMs. During driving, I experienced flashing engine light, and then sudden loss of power and control of vehicle. 3/30/26 Veh towed toThompson GMC, of Placerville, CA diagnosed vehicle with full engine failure from broken connecting rods and crankshaft of engine. Dealership is recommending full engine replacement, costing approx $23,000. This engine failure occurred on XXX in [XXX] …a dangerous, steep and curvy 2 lane highway. The engine light and loud forceful knocking happened almost simultaneously, without warning. I was forced to perform a dangerous maneuver to exit the highway into a gas station. Had I not done so, the engine failure could have caused full control loss of the vehicle. Traveling approx 50-65mph with my wife, [XXX] son and 2 daughters, an engine failure put my entire family at risk of serious injury or death. Had I not acted quickly, the outcome would have been catastrophic if not fatal. The vehicle is currently at Thompson GMC, [XXX] and available for further inspection. We believe this may be related to NHTSA EA25007. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: December 31, 2024 · Filed: March 27, 2026

Rough running engine at idle. The vehicle also shows low oil pressure at idle 13psi. Took to several service technicians and was told this is unfortunately a flaw in the engine design and there is not a known current remedy. Also they are surprised that this model was not covered under the same recall campaign that later models are as they are nearly identical engines. The transmission also gave out on this same vehicle at 85k miles.

Incident: February 15, 2026 · Filed: March 27, 2026

Transmission would intermittently lock up and cause rough running conditions. Occasionally causing wheels to lock up and the vehicle to lose control. Took the vehicle to multiple service facilities and was told this is a common issue with this transmission and it is in need of replacement to remedy the issue. The vehicle has 85,000 miles on it.

Incident: March 10, 2026 · Filed: March 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle stopped moving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and the vehicle was not driven. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V085000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Incident: November 13, 2025 · Filed: March 9, 2026

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. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 65,800; however, the Carfax report discovered that the mileage was 237,000 in September of 2025. The contact reported the issue to the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition, the contact reported the issue to the Howard Police Department and the Howard County District Attorney of Maryland. After having the cases dropped by the various agencies, the contact called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was referred to the NHTSA to report the issue.

Incident: February 23, 2026 · Filed: February 23, 2026

My vehicles passenger seat is laid back and the button to bring seat back up is not functioning. The passenger side window will not roll up or down, the sensor on the side view mirror is not working. The automatic power running board is not working on passenger side. The tire monitor is not working.