Cadillac Escalade Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Cadillac Escalade years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2023, each with a complaint index of 75 or higher and multiple recall campaigns. The best years are 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2020, all with complaint indexes of 20 or lower.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2009Avoid 2015Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Best 2012Best 2013Best 2018Best 2020
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,287
- Recall campaigns
- 45
- Crashes reported
- 51
- Fires reported
- 27
- Top problem area
- Engine
Escalade 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 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 40 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 13.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 13 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 230 | 13 | 7 | 4 | Airbags | 14 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 70 | 136 | 5 | 5 | 4 | Airbags | 14 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 90 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 15 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 25 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 45 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Airbags | 16 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 16 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 5 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Good | 30 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 15.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 80 | 97 | 4 | 3 | 9 ! | Engine | 17 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 60 | 89 | 2 | 3 | 4 ! | Engine | 17 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 50 | 51 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Best | 10 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 35 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 17 | — |
| 2020 | Best | 20 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 17 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 75 | 72 | 2 | 1 | 9 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 85 | 82 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 100 | 136 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 65 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 55 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 16 | 5★ |
Escalade years to avoid: what went wrong
2023 Cadillac Escalade Index 100 · 136 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Escalade ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 136 complaints, the most of any Avoid year alongside 2007. Engine problems account for 85% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000. Owners described brake pedals failing to stop the vehicle and airbags not deploying in crashes. Four recall campaigns cover this year, including engine inspection/repair, brake control module software, and a rear suspension control arm bolt recall.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2007 Cadillac Escalade Index 95 · 230 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 Escalade has a complaint index of 95, the second-highest of any year, with 230 complaints. Airbags are the top problem area, making up half of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 105,000. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including rollovers. NHTSA also logged 13 crashes, 7 fires and 29 injuries for this year. Four recall campaigns cover the 2007 Escalade, including two separate front-passenger airbag inflator replacement recalls and one addressing a heated washer fluid module electrical issue.
2007 airbags problems →2007 engine problems →2007 electrical system problems →
2009 Cadillac Escalade Index 90 · 58 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2009 Escalade carries a complaint index of 90 with 58 complaints and, notably, 10 reported deaths, the highest death count of any Escalade year. Airbags are the leading problem area at 41% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 104,600. Owners described airbags deploying without impact or failing to deploy in crashes. Electrical system complaints followed at 29%, with a median mileage of 88,450. Five recall campaigns apply to this year, including two airbag inflator replacement campaigns.
2022 Cadillac Escalade Index 85 · 82 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Escalade has a complaint index of 85 with 82 complaints. Engine issues make up 89% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 37,600. Owners reported engines locking up while driving and, in one case, a fire that burned through the vehicle's side panel. Transmission and powertrain complaints followed at 16%. Four recall campaigns apply, including transmission control module software and an engine inspection/repair campaign.
2015 Cadillac Escalade Index 80 · 97 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2015 Escalade has a complaint index of 80 across 97 complaints, with 11 injuries reported. Engine problems lead at 34% of complaints (median mileage 69,250), followed closely by transmission and powertrain issues at 28% (median mileage 46,500). Owners reported steering difficulty, brake failures, and repeated shop visits for transmission and brake defects. This year carries nine recall campaigns, including a do-not-drive transmission recall and a front-driver airbag inflator rupture recall.
2015 engine problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 electrical system problems →
2021 Cadillac Escalade Index 75 · 72 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2021 Escalade has a complaint index of 75 from 72 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 74% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 53,500. Owners described engine knocking noises followed by sudden stalling, and one case of a vehicle catching fire at a stoplight. Nine recall campaigns cover this year, including engine inspection/repair, transmission control module software, and a fuel tank replacement recall for diesel-equipped models.
Most common Cadillac Escalade problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine522 (41%)
- Airbags304 (24%)
- Electrical System231 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain155 (12%)
- Other113 (9%)
- Brakes101 (8%)
- Structure & Body79 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires79 (6%)
- Fuel System69 (5%)
- Steering42 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Cadillac Escalade years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2007, 2009, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as Avoid years, each with a complaint index of 75 or higher and multiple recall campaigns.
- What are the best Cadillac Escalade years?
- 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2020 rank as Best years, with complaint indexes of 20 or lower and as few as 14 to 21 total complaints.
- What is the most common problem across all Escalade years?
- Engine complaints are the largest category overall, with 522 complaints making up 41% of all reported issues across 2005-2025 model years.
- Does the Cadillac Escalade have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Several years, including 2007 and 2009, were subject to front-passenger airbag inflator replacement recalls, and airbags account for 304 complaints (24%) across all model years.
- Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- The 2023 Escalade has the highest complaint index (100) of any Escalade year, with 136 complaints, 85% involving the engine, and a median failure mileage of 30,000.