Cadillac

Escalade (4th)

2015-2020 · Full-Size SUV · 2 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.4)
698 NHTSA Complaints
11 Recalls
21 Fire Reports
39 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

L92

6.2L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
2 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
2

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (2 complaints)

Also found in

GMC Yukon (2007-2014)CADILLAC Escalade (2007-2014)CHRYSLER 200 (2015-2017)FORD Mustang (2005-2014)GMC Acadia (2007-2016)CADILLAC Escalade (2002-2006)GMC Canyon (2004-2012)HUMMER H2 4-Dr W/Sab (2008-2008) +4 more

L86 - VVT, AFM, E85 Max, Aluminum

6.2L 8-cyl
Avoid (1.0)
661 complaints 85.3 per year Gasoline
21 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
239
transmission
151
electrical
113
brakes
72
other
63

Known Issues

Engine Issues (239 complaints)
Transmission Issues (151 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (113 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 (2014-2018)GMC Canyon (2015-2025)GMC Acadia (2007-2016)GMC Terrain (2010-2017)GMC Sierra 1500 (2014-2018)GMC Sierra 1500 (2007-2013)GMC Yukon (2015-2020)CADILLAC Escalade (2015-2020)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Cadillac Escalade regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (239 complaints)
engine critical
Transmission Issues (151 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (113 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (72 complaints)
brakes critical
Suspension Issues (60 complaints)
suspension critical

Recalls (11)

21V115000Feb 24, 2021serious
Tires

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 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

20V603000Jan 9, 2020serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.

19V837000Nov 20, 2019serious
Fuel System

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 pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

19V645000Jun 8, 2019serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

18V586000Jul 8, 2018serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.

17V437000Oct 6, 2017serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

16V256000Apr 27, 2016serious
Suspension

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.

16V651000Aug 8, 2016serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

14V259000May 15, 2014serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles manufactured April 6, 2014, through May 13, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the air bag module is secured to a chute adhered to the backside of the instrument panel with an insufficiently heated infrared weld. This may result in only a partial deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

14V007000Jan 12, 2014serious
Engine & Cooling

General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.

14V624000Jun 9, 2014serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel top cover on the affected vehicles may have been manufactured using an incorrect spacer fabric, causing a reduction of adhesion between the spacer fabric and the vinyl show surface. This reduced adhesion may result in inconsistent passenger air bag deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade problems?

The 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade has accumulated 698 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Cadillac Escalade engine is most reliable?

The 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 6.2L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade a good used car?

The 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 698 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade have?

The 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade has 698 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade?

There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac Escalade?

Before buying a used Cadillac Escalade, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 698 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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