The Lemon Index
201820204th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: lights
Better years to buy
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Lincoln Navigator2019 Volvo XC90 192019 Audi Q7 64
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2019 Cadillac Escalade
- Engine failure14 complaints
Specific parts named in the 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Cadillac Escalade (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 18V673000 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Cadillac sent dealers 908 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of pulsing,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 7 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
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.
2019 Cadillac Escalade owner · NHTSA complaint 11266568
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 908 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of pulsing,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Seat belts · recall issued 2018
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac Escalade recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 6.2L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac Escalade year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2019" title="Cadillac Escalade reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-escalade/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 19; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac Escalade year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2019 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (29%), brakes (29%) and seats (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Cadillac Escalade have?
1 safety recall (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Cadillac Escalade get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2019 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Cadillac Escalade have?
6.2L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Cadillac Escalade year than the 2019?
Not nearby: the 2019 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Cadillac Escalade years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works