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Cadillac Escalade — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Cadillac Escalade model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
29
Years to Avoid
2015
Best Years
2001, 2000, 1999
2027
1 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
2026
57 complaints3 recalls1 invest.221 TSBs
2025
33 complaints1 recalls2 invest.445 TSBs
2024
77 complaints2 recalls4 invest.638 TSBs
2023
212 complaints4 recalls4 invest.852 TSBs
2022
128 complaints4 recalls4 invest.993 TSBs
2021
114 complaints9 recalls5 invest.811 TSBs
2020
16 complaints2 recalls754 TSBs
2019
29 complaints0 recalls830 TSBs
2018
30 complaints1 recalls1127 TSBs
2017
78 complaints2 recalls1444 TSBs
2016
123 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1722 TSBs
2015Avoid
150 complaints9 recalls1 invest.2405 TSBs
2014
30 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1449 TSBs
2013
26 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1662 TSBs
2012
32 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1580 TSBs
2011
53 complaints6 recalls1 invest.1565 TSBs
2010
47 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1481 TSBs
2009
89 complaints5 recalls1 invest.1308 TSBs
2008
180 complaints4 recalls3 invest.1217 TSBs
2007
320 complaints4 recalls3 invest.1197 TSBs
2006
26 complaints2 recalls811 TSBs
2005
64 complaints4 recalls742 TSBs
2004
99 complaints4 recalls751 TSBs
2003
111 complaints6 recalls1 invest.740 TSBs
2002
164 complaints3 recalls3 invest.600 TSBs
2001Best Year
3 complaints1 recalls3 invest.155 TSBs
2000Best Year
96 complaints4 recalls3 invest.334 TSBs
1999Best Year
46 complaints5 recalls4 invest.104 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Cadillac Escalade Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade is the most problematic year, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Cadillac Escalade, consider the 2001, 2000, 1999 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

29 model years analyzed