The Lemon Index
2019
20214th generation
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Lincoln Navigator2020 Volvo XC90 272020 Audi Q7
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2020 Cadillac Escalade
- Engine failure8 complaints
Specific parts named in the 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 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 recalls 21V115000 (tires) and 19V837000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
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 8 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 →
Recalls 2
- Tires · recall issued 2021
The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2019
The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
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 4WD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade SUV 2WD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 4WD | 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. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 32; 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 2020 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (38%), wheels (38%) and brakes (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac Escalade have?
2 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Cadillac Escalade get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2020 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Cadillac Escalade have?
6.2L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac Escalade year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car). 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