2017 Cadillac Escalade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Cadillac Escalade has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 51 complaints, 2 recalls, and engine issues as the top problem area at 45% share.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Escalade years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 51
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2017 Cadillac Escalade problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine can shut off suddenly while driving, with valve or piston failure reported inside the cylinder before shutdown.
- Transmission shudders, vibrates, or fails to shift properly, with the torque converter identified as the cause in some cases.
- Steering and brakes can briefly lose power along with a stabilitrak warning while turning at low speed, restoring control after a few seconds.
- Brake and gas pedals have moved without driver input while the vehicle was stationary.
- A seat belt retractor module previously replaced was linked to a fire that produced heavy smoke from the vehicle.
- Owners describe a jittery, small-bump-like ride pattern tied to a suspected 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 data gives the 2017 Escalade a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th out of 21 model years for this model. It is not the worst year but sits above several other Escalade years with lower complaint indexes.
- What is the most common problem on the 2017 Cadillac Escalade?
- Engine problems are the top reported issue, making up 45% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 33,116.5 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 24% of complaints.
- Does the 2017 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Escalade: one for a brake vacuum pump issue affecting the Electronic Brake Control Module, and one for airbag sensing diagnostic module software.
- How does the 2017 Escalade compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 50 is better than Avoid years like 2007 (95), 2009 (90), 2015 (80), 2021 (75), 2022 (85), and 2023 (100), but worse than Best years like 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2020.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade?
- EPA rates the 2017 Escalade at 17 mpg combined, 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.