Cadillac Escalade ESV Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Cadillac Escalade ESV years to avoid are 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, all flagged Avoid with complaint index scores of 93, 87, 100, and 80. Engine problems drive 260 of 404 total complaints (64%), with 2023 showing the highest complaint index of any year on record.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 404
- Recall campaigns
- 34
- Crashes reported
- 18
- Fires reported
- 4
- Top problem area
- Engine
Escalade ESV Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Cadillac Escalade ESV problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 15 | 4★ |
| 2013 | No verdict | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 15 | 4★ |
| 2014 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 15 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Good | 27 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 6 ! | Engine | 17 | — |
| 2016 | Good | 47 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 3 ! | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 73 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Brakes | — | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 33 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 53 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 67 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Engine | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 93 | 71 | 2 | 0 | 10 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 87 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 100 | 88 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 80 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 60 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | — | 5★ |
Escalade ESV years to avoid: what went wrong
2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV Index 100 · 88 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Escalade ESV has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, from 88 complaints and 4 recall campaigns. Engine complaints represent 80% of the total, with a median mileage at failure of 44,994.5. Owners report engines stalling or shutting down completely on highways, sometimes tied to a defective crankshaft. Transmission and powertrain complaints followed at 23%. Recalls covered engine inspection/repair, electronic brake control module software, and improperly torqued rear suspension control arm bolts.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Index 93 · 71 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2021 Escalade ESV carries a complaint index of 93 and 71 total complaints, with 10 recall campaigns. Engine issues account for 82% of complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 69,608. Owners report engines rattling, overheating, and shutting down, including one case with dashboard warnings and loss of brake assist while towing. Transmission and powertrain complaints followed, at a median mileage of 25,000. Recalls covered engine inspection/repair (6.2L V8), transmission control module software, and daytime running lights that failed to deactivate.
2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Index 87 · 56 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Escalade ESV has a complaint index of 87 across 56 complaints and 4 recall campaigns. Engine problems make up 82% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 42,765. Owners describe stalling at highway speed with no warning light and inability to restart. Transmission and powertrain issues followed at 21% of complaints, including sudden engine shutdown while passing on a hill. Recalls addressed transmission control module software, engine inspection/repair, and body control module updates.
2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV Index 80 · 22 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 Escalade ESV shows a complaint index of 80 from 22 complaints and 2 recall campaigns. Engine problems account for 82% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 19,000. Owners describe engines failing to engage gear, jumping forward, and shutting off, sometimes needing multiple restart attempts. One owner reported a wheel detaching from the vehicle. Recalls covered the 6.2L V8 engine inspection/repair and electronic brake control module software update.
Most common Cadillac Escalade ESV problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine260 (64%)
- Transmission & Powertrain79 (20%)
- Electrical System59 (15%)
- Fuel System36 (9%)
- Other33 (8%)
- Brakes27 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (4%)
- Airbags16 (4%)
- Structure & Body16 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Cadillac Escalade ESV years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 as Avoid years, with complaint index scores of 93, 87, 100, and 80 respectively. All four years are dominated by engine complaints.
- Which Cadillac Escalade ESV year is best?
- No year in this dataset carries a Best verdict. The lowest complaint index years are 2013 (7) and 2012 (13), though several years like 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2018 rate Good.
- Is the 2023 Escalade ESV reliable?
- The 2023 model year has the highest complaint index of any Escalade ESV year, 100, based on 88 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns, with engine problems making up 80% of complaints.
- Does the Escalade ESV have engine recalls?
- Yes. Campaign 25V274000 covers 2021-2024 Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles with a 6.2L V8 engine, involving inspection and repair or replacement of the engine.
- What is the main problem area for the Escalade ESV overall?
- Engine complaints account for 260 of 404 total complaints across all years, or 64%, making it the top problem area by far.