Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports
HomeCadillacEscaladeYears to Avoid

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
28
Years to Avoid
2015
Best Years
2026, 2025, 2001, 2000, 1999
2026Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls118 TSBs
2025Best Year
16 complaints0 recalls1 invest.359 TSBs
2024
49 complaints2 recalls3 invest.585 TSBs
2023
145 complaints4 recalls3 invest.807 TSBs
2022
79 complaints4 recalls3 invest.959 TSBs
2021
67 complaints9 recalls4 invest.783 TSBs
2020
11 complaints2 recalls748 TSBs
2019
24 complaints0 recalls824 TSBs
2018
27 complaints1 recalls1121 TSBs
2017
71 complaints2 recalls1437 TSBs
2016
113 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1715 TSBs
2015Avoid
137 complaints7 recalls1 invest.2398 TSBs
2014
29 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1444 TSBs
2013
22 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1657 TSBs
2012
32 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1576 TSBs
2011
53 complaints6 recalls1 invest.1561 TSBs
2010
44 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1477 TSBs
2009
89 complaints5 recalls1 invest.1308 TSBs
2008
180 complaints4 recalls3 invest.1217 TSBs
2007
317 complaints4 recalls3 invest.1197 TSBs
2006
26 complaints2 recalls811 TSBs
2005
63 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 2026, 2025, 2001, 2000, 1999 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

28 model years analyzed