2006 Cadillac Escalade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Cadillac Escalade has a complaint index of 0 and ranks 21st out of 21 model years by complaint volume with only 19 complaints logged. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than higher because NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete. Two recalls apply, covering tire label information and a power steering hose.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Escalade years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 13
- 12 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Cadillac Escalade problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System6 (32%)
- Brakes5 (26%)
- Engine4 (21%)
- Airbags3 (16%)
- Fuel System2 (11%)
- Other2 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (11%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag warning lights illuminate intermittently, and dealers sometimes find a defective side-impact sensor or module behind the service light.
- Some owners describe brakes feeling like they release or fail to grab properly during hard stops, with one case involving the pedal depressing to the floor after a stability light warning.
- The engine has stalled without warning during low-speed driving, in one case near 30 mph and in another near 35 mph, sometimes with no error codes found afterward.
- The power liftgate and rear glass have failed to open, tied to low electrical pulse power reaching the tailgate system.
- Front and rear door handles have fractured and required replacement.
- LED tail and brake lights were reported to strobe or pulse in a way that some owners found distracting to drivers behind the vehicle.
2006 Cadillac Escalade recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 05V552000Dec 7, 2005Other32,068 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, hummer at 1-800-732-5493, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
- NHTSA 05V455000Oct 5, 2005Steering123,592 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
2006 Cadillac Escalade fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 13 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $6,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 19 complaints for the 2006 Escalade, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 21 model years covered. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than a higher rating because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
- Does the 2006 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls apply: one for incorrect tire and loading information labels, and one for a power steering hose that could fail under hard steering combined with braking.
- What are the most common problems on the 2006 Escalade?
- Electrical System complaints lead at 6 complaints (32% share), followed by Brakes at 5 complaints (26%) and Engine at 4 complaints (21%).
- Should I avoid the 2006 Cadillac Escalade?
- No. Among Escalade model years, 2006 ranks 21st out of 21 in complaint volume, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other years; years like 2007, 2009, 2015, 2021, 2022, and 2023 carry Avoid verdicts instead.
- At what mileage do 2006 Escalade problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problem areas ranges from 86,000 for brake issues to 112,500 for engine issues, with an overall median of 88,000 miles for the model year.