Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2019-CADILLAC-ESCALADE-ESV NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Cadillac

2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 32 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

The 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 32 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 13 complaints, typically surfacing around 56,350 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Cadillac Escalade ESV owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2017 Escalade ESV 0 1
2018 Escalade ESV 14 1
2019 Escalade ESV (this page) 32 1
2020 Escalade ESV 21 2
2021 Escalade ESV 63 10
2022 Escalade ESV 52 4
2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Photo: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · representative photo of the Cadillac Escalade ESV
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2019 Escalade ESV?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 56,350 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2019-cadillac-escalade-esv/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2019-cadillac-escalade-esv/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
13 reports · fails ~56,350 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
9 reports · fails ~138,025 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
4 reports · fails ~237,000 mi · avg $850
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2019 Escalade ESV's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2019 Escalade ESV?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2019 Escalade ESV · engine
It had a rough idle and took it to the dealer. Cam shaft failure most likely due to faulty lifters and engine replacement needed. Similar to known issues on this year and on years that are involved in recall. This could lead to engine failure and loss of propulsion like the…
2019 Escalade ESV · engine
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…
2019 Escalade ESV · powertrain
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…
2019 Escalade ESV · engine
The engine developed a ticking noise followed by loss of power. Mechanic diagnosed lifter and camshaft failure, which may be related to the Active Fuel Management system. This caused metal contamination and requires complete engine replacement. This appears to be a widespread…
View all 32 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 18V673000 September 26, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles

If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.

Common questions

Is the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

On the NHTSA data, the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 13 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,350 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 32 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 56,350 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 13 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,350 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 56,350 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Cadillac Escalade ESV has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 32 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Cadillac/Escalade ESV. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Cadillac. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →