Is the 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV reliable?

The 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV has 49 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV?

Top problems: ENGINE (19 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV is approximately $2,143/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV has 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is engine problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle caught on fire while owner was driving. owner reported small puff of black smoke prior to fire.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

19 complaints

39%

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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER26/09/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: 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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2019 ESCALADE ESV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 49 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Vehicle caught on fire while owner was driving. Owner reported small puff of black smoke prior to fire.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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 transmiss
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The Power Step / Running Boards do not operate as intended, especially on the driver's side. They are not deploying or retracting as they should, possibly leading to personal injury, ie. spain ankles, injury to the knees, legs and or backs of individuals, who assume the Power Step has deployed befor
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHILE ALL ELECTRONIC SAFETY FEATURES WERE ENGAGED, VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN PROPERLY, EVEN WITH LAST MINUTE HARD BREAKING BY DRIVER, VEHICLE CRASHED AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DASHCAM FOOTAGE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)