Cadillac Escalade years to avoid (and the best years)
828 NHTSA owner complaints and 38 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 828complaints
- 38recalls
- 28reported crashes
- 13reported fires
- 27reported injuries
Which Cadillac Escalade years should you avoid?
No Cadillac Escalade model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Cadillac Escalade year has 38 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2023 (135), 2015 (97) and 2016 (89).
What are the best Cadillac Escalade years?
The Cadillac Escalade years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (14), 2013 (18) and 2014 (20). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 | 0.8× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2025 | 20 | 0.5× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2024 | 47 | 1.2× | 2 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2023 | 135 | 3.6× | 4 | 3 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2022 | 82 | 2.2× | 4 | 4 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2021 | 71 | 1.9× | 9 | 2 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2020 | 14 | 0.4× | 2 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 25 | 0.7× | 0 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 21 | 0.6× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 51 | 1.3× | 2 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 89 | 2.3× | 4 | 2 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 97 | 2.6× | 9 | 4 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 20 | 0.5× | 2 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 18 | 0.5× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 20 | 0.5× | 3 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2011 | 49 | 1.3× | 6 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 38 | 1.0× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 488 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain344 (70%)
- Airbags & seat belts53 (11%)
- Electrical & infotainment29 (6%)
- Other systems19 (4%)
- Brakes17 (3%)
Recalls (38)
Airbags · 26V329000 · May 2026 · model year 2015
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 26V304000 · May 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 26V289000 · May 2026 · model years 2015, 2026
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V114000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2026
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 26V085000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2022
Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 25V619000 · Sep 2025 · model year 2021
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Engine · 25V274000 · Apr 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 24V797000 · Oct 2024 · model year 2021
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 24V674000 · Sep 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 23V642000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V903000 · Dec 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V827000 · Nov 2022 · model year 2021
Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 22V617000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Transmission · 22V036000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2021
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V739000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2021
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V421000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2021
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 21V190000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Tires · 21V115000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2020
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.
Airbags · 21V050000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V054000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V053000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V051000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Brakes · 20V603000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2018
A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 19V837000 · Nov 2019 · model year 2020
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Brakes · 19V645000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 18V586000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2015
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V437000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Airbags · 16V651000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Suspension · 16V256000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V827000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2011, 2012
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Airbags · 14V624000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2015
Inconsistent air bag deployment increases the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment.
Electrical system · 14V614000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 14V259000 · May 2014 · model year 2015
In the event of an accident, an air bag that only partially deploys increases the risk of occupant injury.
Engine · 14V007000 · Jan 2014 · model year 2015
The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
Steering · 13V001000 · Jan 2013 · model year 2013
As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Steering · 11V339000 · Jun 2011 · model year 2011
THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Suspension · 11V007000 · Jan 2011 · model year 2011
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Suspension · 10V643000 · Dec 2010 · model year 2011
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.