Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems by Year

We compared every Cadillac Escalade ESV model year from 2003–2026 using 537 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 42 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2023, 2021, 2022, 2019 and 2017, which drew far more complaints than other Escalade ESV years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2013 and 2012.

24model years
537complaints
42recalls
2023, 2021worst years
2014, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261222145391764133281538153422745790221411
Owner complaints per model year, Cadillac Escalade ESV. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026113.0×3EngineFew
2025143.4×1EngineAverage
2024224.2×2EngineCaution
20239014.0×4EngineAvoid
20225710.6×4EngineAvoid
20217412.8×10EngineAvoid
2020223.8×2EngineCaution
2019344.4×1EngineAvoid
2018152.0×1EngineCaution
2017384.2×1BrakeAvoid
2016151.9×3SuspensionCaution
20158typical6EngineAverage
20140−78%2—Average
20132−67%4ElectricalAverage
20123−44%3ElectricalAverage
2011131.6×5AirbagCaution
20104−33%3AirbagAverage
20096−33%5AirbagAverage
200817typical4AirbagAverage
2007392.3×4AirbagCaution
20065−33%1EngineAverage
200514typical1ElectricalAverage
2004222.0×1ElectricalCaution
200312typical1Wheel & TireAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Escalade ESV year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Latest Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 26V-329 · May 21, 2026 · 5,014 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.

Wheels › Hub

NHTSA recall 26V-304 · May 14, 2026 · 2,457 vehicles

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026.

Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)

NHTSA recall 26V-289 · May 7, 2026 · 66 vehiclesDo not drive

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body

NHTSA recall 26V-085 · Feb 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.

Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026.

All 42 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV should you avoid?

2023, 2021, 2022, 2019, 2017 and 2024 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Escalade ESV years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2023.

What is the best year for the Cadillac Escalade ESV?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Escalade ESV years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Cadillac Escalade ESV problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (291), transmission & drivetrain (95) and electrical system (83). Engine complaints peak in the 2023 model year.

How many recalls has the Cadillac Escalade ESV had?

42 recalls across 2003–2026. The model year with the most is 2021. See all Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.