2019 Cadillac Escalade: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2020 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days
0
recalls
25
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
NHTSA crash testSide ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
No fire reportsNo recall campaigns
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 25 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Engine (engine mechanics)17 complaints
Carry Handle, Shell, Base1 complaint
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)1 complaint
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)1 complaint
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)1 complaint
Seats1 complaint
“All of a sudden the car just died while driving it on the road at speed. There was no warning or indication of an issue. It just shook and then died. It would not restart. This is an egregious safety issue and should not happen on a vehicle with only this many miles. We could have been killed if we were on a highway. A quick google search shows this is a KNOWN issue. The mechanic said this is a know issue with this engine - Please get a recall out for 2019 before someone dies!!!!”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“The AFM lifters on 1,7,4,6 cylinders go out with no warning causing shuttering and misfires. Scary! This is the second Escalade with the problem and the 2019 engine has occurred twice in 6 months. I have inserted a lockout device to prevent the vehicle from going into 4 cylinder mode since the last episode (6 months ago) and it still failed another AFM lifter. GM said they will fix the 3rd one under warranty but no guarantees it won't fail again. Who knows where I might be? I am without a vehicle for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. GM will not remove the system and replace the cam and lifters (even if I purchase the parts). POOR service also.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2026
“Loud knocking sound in the engine appeared out of nowhere. This is the same engine as what exists in the 2021 year models which does have a recall on them, but for some reason the 2019 models like I have are not included in the recall. I cannot drive the car for fear of the engine seizing up.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“My vehicle lost power suddenly I almost got hit from behind luckily I was able to avoid a accident towed to mecanic told me common issue with this engine my engine needs replacment”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2026
“I was on the highway with my family going about 60 mph and my vehicle shut completely off on the interstate. We were almost rearend by a tractor trailer. It did not crank back up either. My 2019 Cadillac Escalade has the same current issues as the 2021 - 2024 6.2 engines that are being recalled right now.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“I was traveling on the interstate with no problems, then my vehicle lost power and I smelled smoke. I pulled into a gas station to see what the problem was. It appeared the starter had went out. I got it towed to a mechanic shop and it was determined another engine is needed. There is a recall on these engines from the year 2021 thru 2024. This year needs to be included due to the same issues as the newer engines.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“- The engine malfunctioned. Started making noises on cold start that quickly turned into noises when driving and rough idling. It is at the Cadillac dealership being inspected right now. Car is available for inspected upon request. - The safety was put at risk with the potential of complete engine failure. - I received a call from Cadillac yesterday that the camshaft is faulty and they will need to replace it. - Cadillac has reached out to my warranty company to inspect it further. - The only warning was the noise, I noticed it in March, the noise got much very quickly.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2025
“At around 70,000 miles the engine light came on and a strange noise was coming from the engine. I immediately took it in for inspection. The mechanic said he knew right away what it was because its a common failure with this engine. He said the lifters had gone bad and the entire top half of the engine had to be repaired. This was at a cost of $8,500.00. This is clearly an issue with GM motors with a 6.2 liter engine. I will be joining a class action lawsuit to get compensated for the repairs and my time without a vehicle.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2025
“As what appears to be happening with a lot of these, it dropped the push rod on cylinder 2, damaged the camshaft, and the truck immediately lost power while on the highway.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2025
“Active Fuel Management system is starving the lifters of lubrication. Push rod got snapped in half and lifters needed to be replaced. Then the headers had to be fixed because of all of this. With a complete repair done, the push rod has again malfunctioned one month after the new one was put in. My certified mechanic has informed me I'm going to continue to have an issue while GM isn't concerned with addressing the issue of the AFM system.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2019 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2019 Cadillac Escalade. The most complained-about area is engine.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.