YearToAvoid

2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

85/100

#4 most-complained of 21 Escalade ESV years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th-worst among 21 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other Escalade ESV years. Brakes are the top problem area, cited in 29% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles.

Complaints
38
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 1
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes11 (29%)
  2. Engine10 (26%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain9 (24%)
  4. Electrical System5 (13%)
  5. Other4 (11%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (11%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (8%)
  8. Airbags1 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
  10. Fuel System1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brake pedal reportedly travels to the floor with little or no stopping power, sometimes leading to crashes at low speed.
  • Owners describe hard, unresponsive brake pedals even when the vehicle is parked and off.
  • A dashboard power-assist warning appeared before a vacuum pump failure caused a loss of braking assistance.
  • Engine vibration at stops and a metallic knocking from the steering area on road bumps were reported.
  • A second-row seat heater reportedly caused a fire in a nearly new vehicle with very low mileage.
  • Electrical glitches include mirrors folding while driving after an accidental key fob press and headlights described as too bright.
2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV complaints: complaints filed per month5Apr 2017Sep 2019Oct 2020Sep 2021Jun 2023Dec 2024Nov 2025Sep 2026
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2017 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2020 (5).

2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V651000Sep 8, 2016Airbags3,640,162 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

    Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

2017 compared with other Escalade ESV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution4086 !17
2016Caution55153 !—
2017Avoid85381—
2018Good45151—
2019Caution65341—

All Cadillac Escalade ESV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
Compared with other Escalade ESV model years, the 2017 ranks 4th-worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 29% of reported problems, with issues like pedal loss of pressure appearing at a median of 18,000 miles.
Does the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2017 Escalade ESV, covering an airbag sensing module software issue that GM addressed by reflashing the SDM software.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
NHTSA has logged 38 complaints for the 2017 Escalade ESV, including 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries.
Which Escalade ESV years are better than the 2017?
Years like 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2018 carry Good verdicts with much lower complaint indexes, ranging from 20 to 45, compared to 85 for 2017.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.