Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv problems

Owners filed 2 complaints about the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Esv with NHTSA between Jun 2014 and Oct 2023. The most-cited component is engine (1).

Complaints
2
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine1
  2. Engine and engine cooling1
  3. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20141
20150
20160
20170
20180
20190
20200
20210
20220
20231

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

1 report
“The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to switch into V-8 mode. The contact stated that the engine started making an abnormal knocking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the lifters had collapsed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the camshaft needed to be replaced. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023Engine, Engine and engine coolingODI 11549324

Engine and engine cooling

1 report

Electrical system

1 report1 related recall
“2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE KEY IGNITION PROBLEM. *SMD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2014Electrical systemODI 10595108
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.