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Cadillac · NHTSA safety record

2015 Cadillac Escalade

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 98 safety complaints about the 2015 Cadillac Escalade with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 11 people were injured and no death is recorded. 9 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 28 complaints, 29% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 61,000 miles, the median across the 60 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers November 2015 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

98 complaints on file

98

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

11

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose 44% year on year: 13 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 9 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 28 · 29%
ENGINE 27 · 28%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17 · 17%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15 · 15%
STEERING 10 · 10%
SUSPENSION 9 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 · 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 · 6%
STRUCTURE 4 · 4%
AIR BAGS 3 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 · 3%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 98.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 17.

20 15 10 5
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2015 Cadillac ESCALADE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV RWD
Overall Not rated Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated Not rated
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 22.2% 22.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

9 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

26V329000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.

General Motors, LLC · up to 5,014 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

26V289000 · May 7, 2026

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
The risk
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

General Motors, LLC · up to 66 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

19V645000 · September 6, 2019

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,456,719 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

18V586000 · September 7, 2018

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
The risk
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,015,918 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

17V437000 · July 10, 2017

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, 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.
The 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.
The 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 August 4, 2017. 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 17287.

General Motors LLC · up to 40,683 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

16V651000 · September 8, 2016

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,640,162 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V624000 · October 6, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel top cover on the affected vehicles may have been manufactured using an incorrect spacer fabric, causing a reduction of adhesion between the spacer fabric and the vinyl show surface. This reduced adhesion may result in inconsistent passenger air bag deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
Inconsistent air bag deployment increases the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel top cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14686.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,046 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V259000 · May 16, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles manufactured April 6, 2014, through May 13, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the air bag module is secured to a chute adhered to the backside of the instrument panel with an insufficiently heated infrared weld. This may result in only a partial deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
In the event of an accident, an air bag that only partially deploys increases the risk of occupant injury.
The remedy
GM sent the owners an interim notification letter on May 16, 2014 to advise owners of the recall, and will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. When the parts are available, dealers will replace the instrument panel right side upper trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on June 9, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14220. Note: Owners are advised that until the vehicle has been remedied, occupants should not sit in the front passenger seat position.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,838 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

14V007000 · January 13, 2014

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

General Motors LLC · up to 325,213 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

PE18012

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 20, 2018 · closed April 10, 2022 · led to recall 19V645000

the brakes, the hydraulic brakes

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STEERING

6 injured · crash · towed · 46,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ORR CADILLAC LOCATED AT 8750 BUSINESS PARK DR, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105, (318) 798-7250, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING STARTER AND BATTERY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT 1 MONTH LATER SHE EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE FOR A SECOND OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED LOCAL DEALER ORR CADILLAC GMC LOCATED AT 400 TX-63 SPUR, LONGVIEW, TX 75601,(903) 757-6600, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING UNKNOWN WIRING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE MOMENT.

NHTSA complaint 11373186, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 62,000 miles

The contact owned a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact fell asleep and rear-ended another vehicle causing a three-car chain reaction. The contact stated that the front end hit the other vehicle squarely on the rear bumper. The front bumper and hood were crushed back to both front tire wheel wells. The front passenger side tire had sheared off. The contact stated that both sets of air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that both her knees were bruised, also bruising on her chest, both arms, and a bruise under her right eye. Her passenger suffered bruising on his chest, both arms and knees. The contact had not received medical

NHTSA complaint 11492186, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · fire · crash · towed · 110,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER CAUSING ME TO VEER OUT OF MY LANE CAUSING A CRASH. THE AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY FULLY CAUSING ME TO HAVE A DISLOCATED SHOULDER AND BROKEN RIBS. THE CAR ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING IMPACT AND I HAD TO BE PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON ME IS MOST LIKELY THE REASON I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint 11375347. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · towed · 130,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving through a conveyor car wash with child occupants in the rear seats, the vehicle was placed in neutral (N). The vehicle was then shifted into drive (D) as instructed but accelerated independently. The contact added that the vehicle barely made a left turn exiting the car wash bay, nearly colliding with a wall and a car wash door. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The contact shifted the vehicle into park (P), but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact added that after shifting the vehicle into neutral (N), a roaring noise emanated from the engine compartment as if the

NHTSA complaint 11749286, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
While I was driving i needed to accelerate to pass slower traffic. As I pressed the accelerator I I felt a shudder and binding sensation throughout the vehicle and had to make a very drastic and unplanned maneuver to return to my lane as I had not completely departed from my lane, while maneuvering back in my lane I was forced to make several decisions as what next to do not know how my vehicle was going to respond to further acceleration attempts and if my wheels were going to lock up going freeway speeds. Since the incident I have noticed when my transmission fluid temp reaches between 100° and 150° my truck consistently exhibits the same behaviors inconsistent acceleration, clunking

NHTSA complaint 11767778, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2015 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L V8 with Active Fuel Management has had repeated lifter/valvetrain failures. On 10/2/2025 at approximately 109,536 miles, an independent repair shop confirmed a failed lifter on cylinder 3. The driver-side cylinder head was removed and all eight lifters on that bank were replaced along with a pushrod. On 9/9/2026 at approximately 116,689 miles, only about 7,153 miles later, the vehicle again developed severe shaking while driving. A different independent repair shop documented diagnostic code P0300, cylinder 1 low compression and misfiring, and noted that the lifters on that side had recently been replaced. Additional lifter-related parts, including lifters, a

NHTSA complaint 11764891, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured

I’ve had to replace 2 motors and a transmission.

NHTSA complaint 11762253. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

160,206 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while his wife was driving the vehicle, after arriving at a parking lot, a bystander informed her that the vehicle was leaking a significant amount of fuel. The vehicle was driven to the residence and turned off, and the vehicle continued to leak fuel. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the leak was coming directly from the fuel pump at the fuel tank. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,206.

NHTSA complaint 11734152. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The engine in my 2015 Cadillac Escalade failed unexpectedly at approximately 53,000 miles. Immediately prior to the failure, the engine developed a noticeable knocking noise, indicating a potential internal issue. While attempting to park in a public parking garage, the vehicle suddenly lost power and the engine shut down without any warning lights or alerts. This created a hazardous situation in a confined area with other vehicles and pedestrians, as I was unable to properly control or maneuver the vehicle. The sudden loss of power and complete engine shutdown significantly increased the risk of a collision or injury. The engine would not restart after the failure, leaving the vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11725365, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Cadillac Escalade

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 33 3 —
2025 20 1 —
2024 49 2 —
2023 139 4 —
2022 84 4 —
2021 72 9 —
2020 14 2 —
2018 21 1 —
2017 51 2 —
2016 89 4 —
2014 20 2 —
2013 19 4 —
2012 20 3 —
2011 49 6 —
2010 38 3 —

Other 2015 Cadillac models

SRX 442 CTS 47 ATS 29 XTS 14 Escalade ESV 8

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Cadillac on this site — 97 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst