Cadillac Escalade years to avoid
Every Cadillac Escalade model year on file (2012-2026), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2015
Worst year on file
90.8
Severity index
Power Train
Most-reported system
2023
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015 Cadillac Escalade | 90.8 High | 106 | Power Train |
| 2 | 2014 Cadillac Escalade | 82.5 High | 20 | Electrical System |
| 3 | 2017 Cadillac Escalade | 76.7 Medium | 89 | Engine |
| 4 | 2016 Cadillac Escalade | 66.2 Medium | 104 | Engine |
| 5 | 2020 Cadillac Escalade | 65.8 Medium | 14 | Engine |
| 6 | 2012 Cadillac Escalade | 64.3 Medium | 26 | Electrical System |
| 7 | 2018 Cadillac Escalade | 58.6 Medium | 21 | Engine |
| 8 | 2019 Cadillac Escalade | 58.4 Medium | 25 | Engine |
| 9 | 2022 Cadillac Escalade | 57.8 Medium | 85 | Engine |
| 10 | 2013 Cadillac Escalade | 56.3 Medium | 19 | Power Train |
| 11 | 2026 Cadillac Escalade | 52.1 Medium | 17 | Engine |
| 12 | 2021 Cadillac Escalade | 51.8 Medium | 95 | Engine |
| 13 | 2025 Cadillac Escalade | 50.8 Medium | 20 | Engine |
| 14 | 2024 Cadillac Escalade | 45.4 Low | 52 | Engine |
| 15 | 2023 Cadillac Escalade | 36.6 Low | 143 | Engine |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Cadillac Escalade complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 26 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 64.3 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2013 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 56.3 Medium | POWER TRAIN |
| 2014 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 82.5 High | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2015 | 106 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 90.8 High | POWER TRAIN |
| 2016 | 104 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 66.2 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2017 | 89 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 76.7 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2018 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 58.6 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2019 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 58.4 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2020 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 65.8 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2021 | 95 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 51.8 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2022 | 85 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 57.8 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2023 | 143 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 36.6 Low | ENGINE |
| 2024 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 45.4 Low | ENGINE |
| 2025 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50.8 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2026 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 52.1 Medium | ENGINE |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.