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Cadillac EscaladeYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 1,735 NHTSA owner complaints across 29 model years, the Cadillac Escalade years to avoid are 2007 and 2023, and the strongest years are 1999, 2010, 2011 and 2019. The Escalade has 52 safety recalls on record.

Cadillac Escalade
Years to avoid'07 '23Use caution: 2002, 2008, 2021, 2022, 2024Best years'99 '10 '11 '19Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints1,735Top: EngineSafety recalls521999–2027 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: 2000chevymontecarlo, Public domain.

Best & worst years

Cadillac Escalade years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escalade median. Tap a year for its full report.

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2027Too new–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2026Too new–/10040 complaints · 3 recalls2025Too new–/10021 complaints · 1 recall2024Caution37/10052 complaints · 2 recalls2023Avoid21/100145 complaints · 4 recalls2022Caution34/10086 complaints · 4 recalls2021Caution41/10080 complaints · 9 recalls2020Not rated–/10014 complaints · 2 recalls2019Best74/10025 complaints · 0 recalls2018Not rated–/10022 complaints · 1 recall2017Solid64/10051 complaints · 2 recalls2016Solid50/10089 complaints · 4 recalls2015Solid46/10098 complaints · 9 recalls2014Not rated–/10020 complaints · 2 recalls2013Not rated–/10019 complaints · 4 recalls2012Not rated–/10020 complaints · 3 recalls2011Best68/10049 complaints · 6 recalls2010Best73/10038 complaints · 3 recalls2009Solid61/10058 complaints · 5 recalls2008Caution40/100136 complaints · 4 recalls2007Avoid26/100230 complaints · 4 recalls2006Not rated–/10019 complaints · 2 recalls2005Solid66/10043 complaints · 2 recalls2004Solid46/10069 complaints · 2 recalls2003Solid50/10081 complaints · 4 recalls2002Caution39/100115 complaints · 1 recall2001Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls2000Solid50/10071 complaints · 1 recall1999Solid66/10039 complaints · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Cadillac Escalade problems

All model years combined: 1,735 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine51216
Air bags32745
Electrical system28044
Power train1938
Service brakes9610
Fuel/propulsion system808
Suspension733
Engine and engine cooling723
Service brakes, hydraulic6812
27 other systems58681
52 recalls

Cadillac Escalade recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Driver side: inflator module26V-329 · 2015 · May 21, 2026 · 5,014 vehicles64%Wheels: hub26V-304 · 2025–2026 · May 14, 2026 · 2,457 vehicles64%Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)26V-289 · 2015–2026 · May 7, 2026 · 66 vehiclesDo not drive74%Other: owners/service/other manual26V-114 · 2026 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles66%Control module: software26V-085 · 2022 · Feb 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles83%Storage: tank assembly25V-619 · 2021 · Sep 18, 2025 · 12 vehicles88%Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical25V-274 · 2021–2024 · Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles78%Control module: software24V-797 · 2021 · Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles91%Brake fluid low warning: lamp24V-674 · 2023–2024 · Sep 12, 2024 · 449,671 vehicles89%Suspension: rear23V-642 · 2023 · Sep 20, 2023 · 189 vehicles97%Lighting control module: software22V-903 · 2022–2023 · Dec 8, 2022 · 740,108 vehicles93%Lighting control module: software22V-827 · 2021 · Nov 3, 2022 · 338,735 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 52 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

14 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Escalade

  1. Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyEA26005 · 2021–2026 · still open
    Open
  2. Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyRQ26001 · 2021–2024 · closed Aug 20, 2026
    No recall
  3. Loss of motive power due to engine failureEA25007 · 2021–2024 · still open
    Open
  4. Loss of motive power due to engine failurePE25001 · 2021–2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025
    Led to recall 25V-274
  5. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · 2007–2014 · still open
    Open
  6. Air Bag MalfunctionPE21010 · 2021 · closed Aug 24, 2023
    No recall
  7. Brake Vacuum Pump FailurePE18012 · 2015–2016 · closed Apr 10, 2022
    Led to recall 19V-645
  8. Brake line corrosion failureEA11001 · 2002–2003 · closed Apr 8, 2015
    No recall
  9. NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA08010 · 2007–2008 · closed Sep 8, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-441
  10. NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE08010 · 2007–2008 · closed Jun 12, 2008
    No recall