2019 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV Engine Problems

16 complaints about Engine

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Engine Complaints (16)

Jan 1, 2026

I was driving on the freeway on Cruise Control going 80 mph. All the sudden my speedometer dropped and I had no power. My Transmission Light Started Blinking Cruise Control stopped working and my Car Started Shaking Violently and Sounded Clunky. I had to pull over to the shoulder immediately. I Called my Mechanic and he told me not to drive it any Further So we Towed the vehicle to his shop. There was absolutely no warning signs. This was the only sign something was wrong.

Dec 31, 2025

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 newer years. Car has been properly maintained and serviced at dealer.

Dec 22, 2025

Engine has low oil pressure at idle

Nov 15, 2025

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 was consistent with engine defects that have led to GM’s recall on later-model Escalades. However, the 2019 model year is excluded from that recall. The failure was severe enough that it posed a safety risk had it occurred at highway speed, and it required over $20,000 to replace the engine plus thousands more in related repairs. Multiple other major components failed around the same time (suspension components, thermostat, and A/C compressor). I am filing this report because the failure pattern appears identical to what GM has acknowledged on recalled Escalade engines, and I am concerned that the defect may affect more vehicles than currently included in the recall. My mechanic confirmed that the failure is reproducible and consistent with the known defect on later models.

Nov 15, 2025

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 miles later the engine had complete engine failure. Now they are saying they will only cover 60% of the coverage to fix the repair. I have six children and this is our only car. I need my engine repaired. This is a huge burden and we just took a loan out to pay the last repair. Please I beg of you help me.

Nov 13, 2025

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 issue on GM 6.2L engines.”

Oct 29, 2025

Had all of my lifters replaced and cam shaft 6 months ago because of the faulty engine gm has started to recognize. I spent $7500.00 yesterday 10/28/2025 i was driving and my car started shaking and shutting down in the middle of a busy intersection. luckily i got it off the road safely before be hit. traction control light was on and the check engine light goes from blinking to solid and then back to blinking. its now back at the shop for he second time this year for what will likely be another VERY expensive fix

Oct 28, 2025

My wife was driving our 2019 Cadillac Escalade to work when the vehicle check engine light came on and started to smoke and shake violently. She avoided injury but the car was not drivable. A local independent service center said that the car's cylinder #1 was full of fuel, the spark plug was wet, reported loud bottom end engine noise and that we replace the engine. This appears to be the same issue that sparked the recall of 2021-2024 models. We have proceeded with ordering a replacement engine as a result. The old engine will be available for further inspection if necessary. There were no warning signs prior to this incident.

Jun 18, 2025

I had taken my car in while it was under warranty for my motor the car wouldn’t move at all or start. They said it was a cylinder so they replaced the one cylinder and didn’t check any others. Just recently in January 2025 I took it back to the dealer for the same issues and they told me I need a whole new motor. Now the car is out of warranty. They charged me close to $1000 just to diagnose the car and tell me I need a They charge me close to $1000 just to diagnose the car and tell me I need a new motor. Apparently the other side of the motor they didn’t check had failed. Also my running boards were taken to the dealer for not working properly and they didn’t fix them while under warranty and now it’s still doing the same thing. Now my air condition isn’t blowing cold air I have taken it to the dealer. They claim I have different kind of freon, but I never replaced the Freon. It’s original to the car when it was purchased. They are charging me $1100 just to diagnose the vehicle.

Apr 27, 2025

Lifters and camshaft went bad even though I'm fully on top Of maintenance. My engine began to seize up Luckily I was not out on the expressWay. Took it to a reputable mechanic who confirmed the problem all the repairs cost me $6,700. No warning light or check engine came on even though there was a serious issue.

Feb 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting rough. While at a stop light, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was a hard acceleration while driving the vehicle. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the transmission was shifting hard. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign: 24V797000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was related to the automatic transmission valve body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 149,050.

Mileage: 149,050

Feb 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine seized, and the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The camshaft and lifters were previously replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Mileage: 23,000

Feb 2, 2025

Lifters and camshaft replaced three times Engine seized up Electrical problems with the steering and Crash warning systems Been at the dealer for one year as of today it’s still there

Jan 27, 2025

Vehicle will stall when driving. Alarm sounds and engine will shut down. I can shift the car into neutral and it will re-start. I understand that this issue of stalling can damage the engine beyond repair. I believe this engine is under investigation by the NHTSA. The shop that serviced my transmission warned me about transmission failure due to what he called a garbage can. A cylinder that is prone to failure.

Jan 24, 2025

On December 13, 2024, my 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a critical engine failure, requiring it to be towed to the dealership. I had taken delivery of the vehicle just one month prior, on November 13, 2024. The dealership informed me that the engine required a rebuild, including replacement of the lifters. The mechanic who worked on the vehicle stated that the engine had undergone a previous repair for the same issue and that the camshaft was also damaged. This incident posed a significant safety risk. The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was in operation, potentially leading to a loss of control and an accident. [Additional Information] Component/System Failure: Engine, specifically lifters and camshaft. The failed components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Potential loss of control of the vehicle due to engine failure. Confirmation of Problem: The problem was confirmed by the dealership service center. Inspection: The vehicle and the failed components have been inspected by the dealership service center. Warning Lamps/Messages: Flashing check engine light, brake system failure, emissions system failure, antilock braking system failure, and power train failure. [Request] I request that the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine if there is a systemic defect with the 2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV's engine. This is the second documented engine failure, indicating a potential safety hazard for all owners of this vehicle model.

Mar 15, 2022 Fire

Vehicle caught on fire while owner was driving. Owner reported small puff of black smoke prior to fire.