Torque convertor shutter, hard shifts, delayed shifts
The worst 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine14
- Airbags4
- Wheels4
- Fuel system3
- Body2
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Steering1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Recalls 2
Tires
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Risk
- Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Buick customer service at 1‑866‑608‑8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Recall number 21V115000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
- Risk
- Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Recall number 19V837000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 664
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 4WD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 | 3 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 | 3 |
What 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
This vehicle is equipped with the 6.2 V8 engine we have experienced catastrophic engine failure twice. The vehicle is relatively low mileage.
Purchased a 2020 Cadillac Escalade Suburban about three months ago from GMC dealership at 8155 Interstate 35, San Antonio, Texas 78224. This vehicle had about 50,000 miles when we bought it. We were not driving the Escalade everyday, we use it occasionally and about a month after we purchased it the battery went dead. Before the battery went completely dead we were on the road one day and we rolled down the window and it would not roll back up, then the back window popped open and it would not shut back down. GMC dealership we bought it from came to our home and used a charger to recharge the battery. We took it to the dealership service department and dealership determined it was a bad battery, they gave us a new battery. On May 4, we attempted to use the Escalade and once more the battery was dead. Service person from GMC dealership came back to our home to charge the new battery but it would not start at all this time. We no longer feel safe driving this vehicle and want to turn it back in as a lemon and get our money back.
There is something causing an engine misfire, and this was the first time it happened. It has happened again, and I realized that there were a lot of class action lawsuits about lifter failure in these engines
While driving on a highway, my wife abruptly experienced warning lights, loud rattling from engine and loss of power. Check engine light indicated cylinder misfire. Troubleshooting revealed a bent push rod and later discover broken lifter. While researching the issue it was found to be a very common issues with vehicles using active fuel management. Issue is so widespread parts are replacement parts are unavailable. If more traffic were around situation could resulted in loss of control in traffic and collision.
My original factory 2020 Escalade 6.2L engine suddenly without warning seized while driving on a two lane undivided highway. I was forced to steer and brake the vehicle from 70mph to the shoulder of the road. My Vehicle had to be towed to GM dealer who diagnosed a seized engine. GM Replaced engine under warranty. This incident is identical to the 6.2L engine failures of the 2021 to 2024 recall.
The colling system is not working properly and damage the engine
Persistent Engine Failure and Safety Hazards – 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 97000 miles The vehicle suffered a major engine failure while traveling at highway speeds. The incident began with a loud mechanical knocking from the engine, followed by a sudden loss of propulsion and the vehicle entering "limp mode." Both the Check Engine Light (flashing/solid) and multiple safety system warnings illuminated simultaneously. Diagnostic reports confirmed multiple cylinder misfires. Despite thousands of dollars spent at various independent service centers, the underlying mechanical issues persist, rendering the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for operation.
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact allowed the vehicle to coast to the shoulder of the roadway and shifted into park(P). The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,236.
My Engine is experiencing rough idle. This vehicle has the l87 engine that has been recalled on other year models. Rough idle is one of the symptoms described before complete failure of the l87 engines.
Compare the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Other model years
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Questions about the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Is the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 1.5 times a typical Escalade ESV model year.
What is the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV year score?
The 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV scores 58 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Engine and cooling, with 14 complaints. Next is airbags (4).
How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
2 recalls, covering tires and fuel system, gasoline.
Is the 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV safe in a crash?
The 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: side 5, rollover 3 out of 5.
What year does the Cadillac Escalade ESV have bad engine?
The Cadillac Escalade ESV model years with the most engine complaints are 2023 (74 complaints), 2021 (61 complaints) and 2022 (49 complaints).
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