Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2020 Cadillac Escalade with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 19 of 27 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Cadillac Escalade. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
46.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2020 compares with every other Cadillac Escalade
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
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
853.3%
Median failure at 80,785 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
213.3%
1 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
213.3%
Median failure at 938 miles
Lights
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
16.7%
1 crashes, 1 fires
Electrical System
16.7%
1 crashes, 1 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
133.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
133.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
133.3%
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.
Apr 2020peak 3Apr 2026
Recalls on the 2020 Cadillac Escalade
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20211032,360 units in Canada
Tires
Issue: Certain vehicles were built with tires that may have been cured too long. As a result, the sidewall could crack or the tread and belts could separate. This could lead to a sudden loss of air pressure and could cause a tire failure. Note: This recall only affects certain Continental tires, with specific date codes and mold numbers. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify the owners by mail and instruct them to take the vehicle to a dealer to inspect and replace the tires, if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Sauddi Arabia, ARCrashFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared
NHTSA complaint #11542464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauddi Arabia, ARCrashFire
SERVICE BRAKES
This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared
NHTSA complaint #11542464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauddi Arabia, ARCrashFire
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared
NHTSA complaint #11542464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VACrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Cadillac Escalade was struck in a rear end collision in Georgia. Driver of trailing car stated that the Escalade "suddenly stopped". After reviewing dash cam footage from the trailing car it can be seen that the Escalade was very slowly decelerating for ~4 seconds before suddenly stopping, the trailing driver did not react to the initial deceleration, only the sudden stop. Closer inspection of the footage suggests the non-standard brake lights of the Escalade contributed to the crash. The vertical stripes do not register as brake lights easily, especially as they blend into the structure of the vehicle. Screenshots of dashcam footage showing this are attached.
NHTSA complaint #11445717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
New Palestine, IN
ENGINE
My vehicle doesn’t even have 66k miles on it and the lifters have gone bad. The check engine came on and the vehicle has stopped working.
NHTSA complaint #11733688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miramar, FL
ENGINE
Engine Failure According to Chevrolet dealership my engine needed to be replace due to tapping coming from the engine. In addition, they found lifter damage along with the camshaft. Cylinder 3 lifter roller failure causing noise and camshaft damage, Yes this was confirmed and engine replaced at that same dealership No warning light or any other symptoms prior to the problem. I have a copy of the receipt and the complete work order from the dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11727310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE
Engine has been making a knocking sound and shaking and vibrating very loud loudly. The engine light has been on as well as the traction light and it is acts like it’s going to stall every time I turn on the engine. Because of safety concerns, especially on the very busy highway, where I do a lot of driving, I have been afraid to drive the car. Sewell Cadillac is aware of the engine problem and they informed me I need a $10,000 engine replacement! My 2020 engine falls outside of the current recall by one year. I feel as if GMC should be responsible for this unbelievable and totally unexpected problem! I have several friends who are experiencing the same issues with their GMC with the same year and comparable mileage.
NHTSA complaint #11725325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bonne Terre, MO
ENGINE
Noticed smoke in rear view mirror while driving at 65 mph. Towed to repair facility. Engine has a piston rod broken and pushed through the block.
NHTSA complaint #11721402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairhaven, MA
POWER TRAIN
THE CALAPSABLE LIFTERS HAVE FAILED AND I NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CAM SHAFT. WHY ISNTTHE 2020 ESCALADE ON THE RECAL LIST OF 6.2L ENGIN RECALLS?
NHTSA complaint #11716653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,571 milesJonesboro, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while starting and driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made abnormal sounds. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the year and VIN were not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,571.
NHTSA complaint #11710600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Land, TX
ENGINE
Scary, driving with my 3 kids. Engine lights and hazard lights saying pull over. Loud sound coming from the hood. We immediately pulled over. Dealership and private Mechanic told us we need a new engine. We just spent $15k on a new transmission. Dealership won’t help us, said our 2020 wasn’t part of the recall. We can’t find an engine if our life depended on it. It’s the same engine as the recall yet they haven’t recalled the 2020 engine yet. The dealership didn’t even tell us what to do or where to complain besides their dealership. No help. Our Cadillac now sits un drive-able. We have to try to get a loan and buy another vehicle. So upset. GMC is not admitting ANYTHING with the 2020’s
NHTSA complaint #11669904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesMandeville, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the lifters, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11660029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kaufman, TX
ENGINE
Engine has 64k miles and at stop lights and while parked drops idle to below 500 makes a random knock like sound shudders like it is going to cut off or have engine failure but no check engine lights.
NHTSA complaint #11650769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle stops unexpectedly in parking lots (5-10mph) and on freeways (70-76mph). Speed ranges from 5 - 75 mph. Unexpected braking occurs for no reason. There are typically no obstructions or vehicles in front of the vehicle. It is most concerning when the vehicle automatically applies braking traveling at 70-76mph.
NHTSA complaint #11565837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauddi Arabia, ARCrashFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared
NHTSA complaint #11542464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauddi Arabia, ARCrashFire
SERVICE BRAKES
This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared
NHTSA complaint #11542464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauddi Arabia, ARCrashFire
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This is the component that failed Parts Passenger Side Instrument Panel Wiring Harness Junction Block GM Part # 84114433 Component combustion Yes, the burning of the component has been confirmed Not checked - Just replace the component only No warning lights appeared
NHTSA complaint #11542464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VACrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Cadillac Escalade was struck in a rear end collision in Georgia. Driver of trailing car stated that the Escalade "suddenly stopped". After reviewing dash cam footage from the trailing car it can be seen that the Escalade was very slowly decelerating for ~4 seconds before suddenly stopping, the trailing driver did not react to the initial deceleration, only the sudden stop. Closer inspection of the footage suggests the non-standard brake lights of the Escalade contributed to the crash. The vertical stripes do not register as brake lights easily, especially as they blend into the structure of the vehicle. Screenshots of dashcam footage showing this are attached.
NHTSA complaint #11445717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 938 milesGreen River, WY
POWER TRAIN
CAR STARTS BUT WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, IT MAY OR MAY NOT GO WORK. WHEN IT DOES WORK THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11321030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.