2017 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Escalade years
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade has 51 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 53, and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 33,116.
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
Top 2017 Cadillac Escalade problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine23 (45%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (24%)
- Brakes11 (22%)
- Electrical System10 (20%)
- Other6 (12%)
- Structure & Body4 (8%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
What owners report
- Engine valve stem fractures can cause the engine to shut off suddenly while driving at highway speed, cutting power steering and power brakes with it.
- Torque converter issues produce abnormal shuddering and vibration and cause the transmission to fail to shift into gear properly.
- StabiliTrak warnings appear alongside brief loss of steering, brakes, and engine power lasting a few seconds during low-speed maneuvers.
- Brake and gas pedals have moved on their own without driver input while the vehicle was stationary, and dealers were unable to diagnose the cause.
- A seat belt retractor module previously replaced was linked to a fire that produced smoke through closed doors and windows.
- Owners describe an intermittent juttery ride on smooth roads that mechanics attributed to a transmission problem.
2017 Cadillac Escalade recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V645000Sep 6, 2019Brakes3,456,719 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
- 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 Cadillac Escalade fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2017 compared with other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- NHTSA lists 51 complaints and a Complaint Index of 53 for the 2017 Escalade, placing it 8th worst among 16 model years with a Caution verdict relative to other Escalade years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade?
- Engine problems make up 45% of complaints, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 33,116. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 24%.
- Does the 2017 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Escalade: one for a vacuum pump issue affecting the Electronic Brake Control Module, and one for airbag control module software.
- How does the 2017 Escalade compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 53 is better than 2015 (87), 2022 (93), 2023 (100), and 2024 (80), all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2020, rated Best.
- What mileage do 2017 Escalade problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 29,000, though engine issues trend higher at 33,116 and electrical issues lower at 9,300.