YearToAvoid

2015 Cadillac Escalade Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 33 Engine complaints for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, 34% of its 97 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 69,250. One related recall (14V007000) covers an engine control module reprogram; no crashes are tied to this area, but 1 fire and 2 injuries were reported.

Engine complaints
33
34% of 97
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
69,250 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine makes a loud grinding or knocking noise on cold start that dealers reportedly dismissed as normal.
  • Engine loses power or shuts off unexpectedly while driving at low speed or during highway cruising, sometimes with sudden deceleration.
  • Owners report cylinder misfires, including a repeat misfire diagnosed as cylinder number three, with the OBD code P0300 logged.
  • Radiator and front strut leaks were found on some vehicles during unrelated service visits.
  • Sudden speed drop from highway speed with cruise control engaged, accompanied by a warning tone and low tire pressure light.

When 2015 Cadillac Escalade engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 5, 2016, latest Sep 17, 2026.

2015 Cadillac Escalade engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2016Apr 2019Feb 2021Aug 2022Sep 2024Jul 2025Feb 2026
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2018 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade

  1. NHTSA 14V007000Jan 13, 2014Engine325,213 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system

    General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.

    Risk: The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.

    Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.

Engine complaints by Escalade model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20103 (8%)
  2. 20110 (0%)
  3. 20125 (25%)
  4. 20135 (26%)
  5. 20146 (30%)
  6. 201533 (34%)
  7. 201634 (38%)
  8. 201723 (45%)
  9. 201810 (48%)
  10. 201917 (68%)
  11. 20208 (57%)
  12. 202153 (74%)
  13. 202273 (89%)
  14. 2023115 (85%)
  15. 202440 (83%)
  16. 202513 (65%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade have?
NHTSA lists 33 Engine complaints for the 2015 Escalade, making up 34% of the 97 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade?
Yes. Recall 14V007000 covers the engine control module; GM notified owners and dealers reprogrammed the module free of charge.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2015 Escalade?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 69,250 at the time of failure for engine-related complaints.
Are the 2015 Escalade engine problems dangerous?
Among the engine complaints, NHTSA records 0 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.

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.