Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | −54% | 3 | Fuel System | Few |
| 2012 | 1 | −54% | 3 | Airbag | Few |
| 2011 | 3 | −23% | 4 | Airbag | Few |
| 2010 | 1 | −54% | 3 | Electrical | Few |
| 2009 | 3 | −38% | 5 | Airbag | Few |
| 2008 | 14 | 1.3× | 4 | Airbag | Average |
| 2007 | 16 | 1.5× | 5 | Airbag | Average |
| 2005 | 5 | typical | 1 | Electrical | Few |
| 2004 | 11 | 1.6× | 2 | Electrical | Average |
| 2003 | 15 | 1.8× | 2 | Brake | Average |
| 2002 | 22 | 2.7× | 1 | Brake | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Escalade EXT year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Cadillac Escalade EXT problems
Latest Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Cadillac Escalade EXT should you avoid?
2002 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Escalade EXT years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2002.
What is the best year for the Cadillac Escalade EXT?
2010 has the fewest complaints compared with other Escalade EXT years at the same age, followed by 2012 and 2013. 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 EXT problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (26), brakes (22) and electrical system (21). Airbag complaints peak in the 2008 model year.
How many recalls has the Cadillac Escalade EXT had?
15 recalls across 2002–2013. The model year with the most is 2007. See all Cadillac Escalade EXT 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.