CadillacEscalade ESV2020Overview/cadillac/escalade-esv/2020/base/

2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Escalade ESV.

Transmission Automatic 10-spd

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV, the extended-body variant of Cadillac's full-size luxury SUV, pairs a 10-speed automatic transmission with an engine lubrication system calling for 8.0 quarts of 0W-20 oil, returning EPA fuel economy ratings of 14 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. Its 21 total owner complaints — concentrated in the engine area and accompanied by two recalls — place it among the quieter model years against a 2003–2026 complaint record that includes a high of 268 complaints in 2007 and a low of just 2 in 2013. Sitting well below the model's troublesome peak and close to its calmest stretch, the 2020 Escalade ESV represents one of the more settled iterations in the nameplate's long history of owner-reported issues.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/23/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP275/55R20 111SOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742
Engine air filter23349854
Spark plug12622441
Battery88864542
Front wiper blades84613732
Serpentine belt12658178 alt 12643517
Thermostat12620318 alt 12674639
Cabin air filter23281440

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 10-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length224.4 in
Overall width80.3 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase129.9 in
Curb weight6041 lb
Track (front / rear)68.9 / 68.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 23 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W85 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1–8–7–2–6–5–4–3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10L80
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · SAE 75W85
Engine CoolantDex-Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity17.8
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Main BearingsNote:
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 24.0; Rear: 24.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 33.0, Rear: NA ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionFront: 18.0; Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug16.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1–8–7–2–6–5–4–3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.037–0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-84.0
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure55
Engine Oil Pressure RPM22
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 9.6; Rear: 9.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth0.059
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
185°-100°
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0°37 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°48 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 85°18 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
345.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°3.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV sits at the low‑point of a long‑term decline in federal complaints, dropping from a high of 268 complaints in 2007 to just 21 in 2020, and it also records the second‑fewest recalls (2) since 2003. This downward trend continues the post‑2015 improvement after a spike in 2015 (103 complaints, 9 recalls) and precedes a modest rebound in 2021 (80 complaints, 11 recalls). Across the generation, the total number of service bulletins (TSBs) has steadily fallen, reaching a historic low of 660 in 2020, indicating fewer reported technical issues overall. The top complaint area for 2020 is the engine (13 reports), with only three crash‑related complaints and no fire complaints, suggesting that safety‑critical problems are minimal. **Takeaway:** 2020 appears to be one of the cleanest years in the model’s recent history, making it a comparatively strong candidate for a used purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
660
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
21
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine13
Air Bags,Wheels,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Electrical System,Air Bags,Structure1
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Wheels,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Structure1
Service Brakes1
Steering,Air Bags,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V115000TiresReported 25/02/2021

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… 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…

19V837000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 21/11/2019

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 660 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6425D2026-03-02Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…
PIT64832026-02-04Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escalade ESV. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 Escalade ESV take?

8.0 qt of 0W-20 meeting GM Dexos 1, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Escalade ESV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escalade ESV get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined mpg.