FaultScore

FaultScore report

2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 19 worst.

D

FaultScore 72/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

How this is worked out

The numbers

33

Complaints

9

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries reported

25,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

67%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 43 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the Cadillac Escalade ESV. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
54.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2020 compares with every other Cadillac Escalade ESV

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 14 42.4%

Median failure at 115,118 miles

Wheels 4 12.1%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 25,000 mi

Airbags 4 12.1%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 25,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 3 9.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 25,000 mi

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 2 6.1%
Body & Structure 2 6.1%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

Brakes 1 3.0%
Steering 1 3.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 1 3.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 16.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 50.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 33.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Dec 2020 peak 6 Jun 2026

Recalls on the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

21V115000

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

19V837000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Dayton, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

er to case number: Case#9-6698447273v 3136671128 Vera Cadillac case Escalated and I am not getting through. Just want to make sure that I made the effort to each our to dealerships and headquarters to no avail. And if this is really is what is happening, this is what really need to be done properly: per lemon vehicle with extended warranty program, with defective equipment (manufacturer’s defects)failure to service right rear tire request per fotainment alert. Plus steering wheel airbag failure to inflate and deploy upon collision, resulting internal injuries, including, but not limited to loss of smell and loss of taste due to this defective automobile. Also note: diagnostics mentioned vehicle was up for a possible recall with its fuel system.

NHTSA complaint #11425722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH Crash 1 injured

WHEELS

er to case number: Case#9-6698447273v 3136671128 Vera Cadillac case Escalated and I am not getting through. Just want to make sure that I made the effort to each our to dealerships and headquarters to no avail. And if this is really is what is happening, this is what really need to be done properly: per lemon vehicle with extended warranty program, with defective equipment (manufacturer’s defects)failure to service right rear tire request per fotainment alert. Plus steering wheel airbag failure to inflate and deploy upon collision, resulting internal injuries, including, but not limited to loss of smell and loss of taste due to this defective automobile. Also note: diagnostics mentioned vehicle was up for a possible recall with its fuel system.

NHTSA complaint #11425722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

er to case number: Case#9-6698447273v 3136671128 Vera Cadillac case Escalated and I am not getting through. Just want to make sure that I made the effort to each our to dealerships and headquarters to no avail. And if this is really is what is happening, this is what really need to be done properly: per lemon vehicle with extended warranty program, with defective equipment (manufacturer’s defects)failure to service right rear tire request per fotainment alert. Plus steering wheel airbag failure to inflate and deploy upon collision, resulting internal injuries, including, but not limited to loss of smell and loss of taste due to this defective automobile. Also note: diagnostics mentioned vehicle was up for a possible recall with its fuel system.

NHTSA complaint #11425722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles SAN Diego, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL EXCEPT FOR BRAIN MATTER FOLLOWED BY NASAL DRIP IN BACK OF THROAT. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. RIGHT REAR TIRE POP IN FREEWAY 94 WESTBOUND ON 13 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2020. USAA SENT DIAGNOSTICS OF VEHICLE'S RECALL INFORMATION. CALLED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE TO REPORT RECALL AND DENIED OFF RECALL AND INFO ON INSURANCE DIAGNOSTICS SENT. SEE UPLOADS:

NHTSA complaint #11384854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles SAN Diego, CA Crash 1 injured

WHEELS

LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL EXCEPT FOR BRAIN MATTER FOLLOWED BY NASAL DRIP IN BACK OF THROAT. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. RIGHT REAR TIRE POP IN FREEWAY 94 WESTBOUND ON 13 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2020. USAA SENT DIAGNOSTICS OF VEHICLE'S RECALL INFORMATION. CALLED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE TO REPORT RECALL AND DENIED OFF RECALL AND INFO ON INSURANCE DIAGNOSTICS SENT. SEE UPLOADS:

NHTSA complaint #11384854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles SAN Diego, CA Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL EXCEPT FOR BRAIN MATTER FOLLOWED BY NASAL DRIP IN BACK OF THROAT. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. RIGHT REAR TIRE POP IN FREEWAY 94 WESTBOUND ON 13 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2020. USAA SENT DIAGNOSTICS OF VEHICLE'S RECALL INFORMATION. CALLED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE TO REPORT RECALL AND DENIED OFF RECALL AND INFO ON INSURANCE DIAGNOSTICS SENT. SEE UPLOADS:

NHTSA complaint #11384854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Springfield, KY

ENGINE

This vehicle is equipped with the 6.2 V8 engine we have experienced catastrophic engine failure twice. The vehicle is relatively low mileage.

NHTSA complaint #11743653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Antonio, TX

AIR BAGS

Purchased a 2020 Cadillac Escalade Suburban about three months ago from GMC dealership at 8155 Interstate 35, San Antonio, Texas 78224. This vehicle had about 50,000 miles when we bought it. We were not driving the Escalade everyday, we use it occasionally and about a month after we purchased it the battery went dead. Before the battery went completely dead we were on the road one day and we rolled down the window and it would not roll back up, then the back window popped open and it would not shut back down. GMC dealership we bought it from came to our home and used a charger to recharge the battery. We took it to the dealership service department and dealership determined it was a bad battery, they gave us a new battery. On May 4, we attempted to use the Escalade and once more the battery was dead. Service person from GMC dealership came back to our home to charge the new battery but it would not start at all this time. We no longer feel safe driving this vehicle and want to turn it back in as a lemon and get our money back.

NHTSA complaint #11736511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Antonio, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

Purchased a 2020 Cadillac Escalade Suburban about three months ago from GMC dealership at 8155 Interstate 35, San Antonio, Texas 78224. This vehicle had about 50,000 miles when we bought it. We were not driving the Escalade everyday, we use it occasionally and about a month after we purchased it the battery went dead. Before the battery went completely dead we were on the road one day and we rolled down the window and it would not roll back up, then the back window popped open and it would not shut back down. GMC dealership we bought it from came to our home and used a charger to recharge the battery. We took it to the dealership service department and dealership determined it was a bad battery, they gave us a new battery. On May 4, we attempted to use the Escalade and once more the battery was dead. Service person from GMC dealership came back to our home to charge the new battery but it would not start at all this time. We no longer feel safe driving this vehicle and want to turn it back in as a lemon and get our money back.

NHTSA complaint #11736511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Antonio, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Purchased a 2020 Cadillac Escalade Suburban about three months ago from GMC dealership at 8155 Interstate 35, San Antonio, Texas 78224. This vehicle had about 50,000 miles when we bought it. We were not driving the Escalade everyday, we use it occasionally and about a month after we purchased it the battery went dead. Before the battery went completely dead we were on the road one day and we rolled down the window and it would not roll back up, then the back window popped open and it would not shut back down. GMC dealership we bought it from came to our home and used a charger to recharge the battery. We took it to the dealership service department and dealership determined it was a bad battery, they gave us a new battery. On May 4, we attempted to use the Escalade and once more the battery was dead. Service person from GMC dealership came back to our home to charge the new battery but it would not start at all this time. We no longer feel safe driving this vehicle and want to turn it back in as a lemon and get our money back.

NHTSA complaint #11736511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atwater, OH

ENGINE

There is something causing an engine misfire, and this was the first time it happened. It has happened again, and I realized that there were a lot of class action lawsuits about lifter failure in these engines

NHTSA complaint #11734715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Auburn, KS

ENGINE

While driving on a highway, my wife abruptly experienced warning lights, loud rattling from engine and loss of power. Check engine light indicated cylinder misfire. Troubleshooting revealed a bent push rod and later discover broken lifter. While researching the issue it was found to be a very common issues with vehicles using active fuel management. Issue is so widespread parts are replacement parts are unavailable. If more traffic were around situation could resulted in loss of control in traffic and collision.

NHTSA complaint #11731123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvine, CA

ENGINE

My original factory 2020 Escalade 6.2L engine suddenly without warning seized while driving on a two lane undivided highway. I was forced to steer and brake the vehicle from 70mph to the shoulder of the road. My Vehicle had to be towed to GM dealer who diagnosed a seized engine. GM Replaced engine under warranty. This incident is identical to the 6.2L engine failures of the 2021 to 2024 recall.

NHTSA complaint #11727921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salem, MA

ENGINE

The colling system is not working properly and damage the engine

NHTSA complaint #11724916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Prospect, IL

POWER TRAIN

Persistent Engine Failure and Safety Hazards – 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 97000 miles The vehicle suffered a major engine failure while traveling at highway speeds. The incident began with a loud mechanical knocking from the engine, followed by a sudden loss of propulsion and the vehicle entering "limp mode." Both the Check Engine Light (flashing/solid) and multiple safety system warnings illuminated simultaneously. Diagnostic reports confirmed multiple cylinder misfires. Despite thousands of dollars spent at various independent service centers, the underlying mechanical issues persist, rendering the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for operation.

NHTSA complaint #11712596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Prospect, IL

ENGINE

Persistent Engine Failure and Safety Hazards – 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 97000 miles The vehicle suffered a major engine failure while traveling at highway speeds. The incident began with a loud mechanical knocking from the engine, followed by a sudden loss of propulsion and the vehicle entering "limp mode." Both the Check Engine Light (flashing/solid) and multiple safety system warnings illuminated simultaneously. Diagnostic reports confirmed multiple cylinder misfires. Despite thousands of dollars spent at various independent service centers, the underlying mechanical issues persist, rendering the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for operation.

NHTSA complaint #11712596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Prospect, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Persistent Engine Failure and Safety Hazards – 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 97000 miles The vehicle suffered a major engine failure while traveling at highway speeds. The incident began with a loud mechanical knocking from the engine, followed by a sudden loss of propulsion and the vehicle entering "limp mode." Both the Check Engine Light (flashing/solid) and multiple safety system warnings illuminated simultaneously. Diagnostic reports confirmed multiple cylinder misfires. Despite thousands of dollars spent at various independent service centers, the underlying mechanical issues persist, rendering the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for operation.

NHTSA complaint #11712596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,236 miles Aventura, FL

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact allowed the vehicle to coast to the shoulder of the roadway and shifted into park(P). The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,236.

NHTSA complaint #11710428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, KY

ENGINE

My Engine is experiencing rough idle. This vehicle has the l87 engine that has been recalled on other year models. Rough idle is one of the symptoms described before complete failure of the l87 engines.

NHTSA complaint #11697952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St. Louis, MO

ENGINE

My engine completely failed and required replacement. It failed on the highway and luckily I was able to coast to an exit ramp. I had a repair shop replace the entire engine. There are complaints all over the internet about this engine and it failing. GM recalled the 2021 through 2024 engine, but this one is also faulty.

NHTSA complaint #11697629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Southampton, NJ

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the red traffic light, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The contact stated that upon attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was towed to a certified independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic contacted an unknown dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11662573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Braintree, MA

ENGINE

The engine had lost power without warning. While driving at low speed.

NHTSA complaint #11660803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE

Knocking noise coming from engine. Chirp noise coming from camshaft, and coils. Cylinder 7 misfiring, metal found in oil. I took my car to the Dealer because of vibration. Replaced 4 tires, balanced and aligned front end, that did not fix the problem. I took it back to the dealer balanced again and repaired valve stem, that still did not fix the vibration. I took the vehicle to 2 other places, balanced the tires again, replaced rear brakes, rotors, shocks still did not fix the vibration. Took the vehicle back to the dealer again, they road force balanced the tires, that still did not fix the problem. I returned home and the next day started the vehicle and heard a bad noise. Towed it to the Dealer they diagnosed engine failure with no warning.

NHTSA complaint #11659358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southampton, NJ

ENGINE

I learned that General Motors issued a voluntary recall for engine issues covering 2021 through 2024. I have a 2020 with the same exact engine problem. Basically, the engine completely failed when driving and now I'm stuck making payments on a car that is useless.

NHTSA complaint #11657146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southampton, NJ

ENGINE

We had a catastrophic engine failure when it seized up due to the rod bearing wear issue I read yesterday that your agency was investigating. I was told I need a new engine by my mechanic. Please reach out if you need more information. [XXX][XXX]

NHTSA complaint #11639250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

WHEELS

Right front wheel fell off, traction control system and forward collision system were disabled, leaving me stranded on I75.

NHTSA complaint #11577251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Right front wheel fell off, traction control system and forward collision system were disabled, leaving me stranded on I75.

NHTSA complaint #11577251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

Right front wheel fell off, traction control system and forward collision system were disabled, leaving me stranded on I75.

NHTSA complaint #11577251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Rogersville, MO

STRUCTURE:BODY

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while he was approaching the vehicle, the side step was extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the actuator was replaced. The failure continued and the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the actuator was replaced again however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA complaint #11470740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portsmouth, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

March of this year while on vacation in South Carolina this vehicle had a partial brake failure at 2145 miles. It was repaired in Charlestown S. C. at a Cadillac Dealership and shipped back to Rick Hendrick Cadillac Norfolk Virginia. On 12/21/21 the same issues resurfaced one day prior to heading to South Carolina for Christmas. The vehicle was towed to Rick Hendrick Cadillac in Norfolk Virginia where it will stay. I have loss all confidence in the brake system on that vehicle. It will not come back to my home.

NHTSA complaint #11444787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

er to case number: Case#9-6698447273v 3136671128 Vera Cadillac case Escalated and I am not getting through. Just want to make sure that I made the effort to each our to dealerships and headquarters to no avail. And if this is really is what is happening, this is what really need to be done properly: per lemon vehicle with extended warranty program, with defective equipment (manufacturer’s defects)failure to service right rear tire request per fotainment alert. Plus steering wheel airbag failure to inflate and deploy upon collision, resulting internal injuries, including, but not limited to loss of smell and loss of taste due to this defective automobile. Also note: diagnostics mentioned vehicle was up for a possible recall with its fuel system.

NHTSA complaint #11425722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.