Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Cadillac Escalade problems

Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2020 Cadillac Escalade with NHTSA between Apr 2020 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (20).

Complaints
36
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine20
  2. Power train5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Wheels4
  5. Fuel/propulsion system3
  6. Forward collision avoidance3
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Structure2
  9. Engine and engine cooling2
  10. Service brakes2
  11. Lane departure1
  12. Exterior lighting1
  13. Steering1

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
20203
20213
20221
20231
20242
202510
202616

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

20 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2026EngineODI 11734715

Power train

5 reports
“ABS lights come on, engine misfireing, camshaft position senor codes, and vehicle will lunge at stop light. Bought the car 30 days ago and has been in service at the dealership for the past 3 weeks.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Power trainODI 11760128

Air bags

4 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 11736511

Wheels

4 reports3 crashes
“er to case number: Case#9-6698447273v 3136671128 Vera Cadillac case Escalated and I am not getting through. Just want to make sure that I made the effort to each our to dealerships and headquarters to no avail. And if this is really is what is happening, this is what really need to be done properly: per lemon vehicle with extended warranty program, with defective equipment (manufacturer’s defects)failure to service right rear tire request per fotainment alert. Plus steering wheel airbag failure to inflate and deploy upon collision, resulting internal injuries, including, but not limited to loss of smell and loss of taste due to this defective automobile. Also note: diagnostics mentioned vehicle was up for a possible recall with its fuel system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2021Air bags, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11425722

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 22, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11712596

Forward collision avoidance

3 reports1 crash1 fire
“Right front wheel fell off, traction control system and forward collision system were disabled, leaving me stranded on I75.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2024Wheels, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11577251
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.