Model research hub
Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV that GM introduced for the 1999 model year, and the current fifth generation starts at $93,995 for 2026. Federal data shows the 2015 (9 recalls) and 2021 (9 recalls) as its heaviest recall years, CarGurus names the 2015 the worst year to buy, and the EPA rates the 6.2L V8 at 13 to 17 mpg combined.
What the Cadillac Escalade is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the Escalade as a full-size luxury SUV made by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac as its first major entry into the SUV market, introduced for the 1999 model year and now in its fifth generation, with the ESV long-wheelbase version made since 2002. The 2026 Escalade has a 6.2L V8, four-wheel or rear-wheel drive, rated 13 to 17 mpg combined by the EPA, about $4,550 to $5,950 a year in fuel. Kelley Blue Book base prices are $93,995 and $96,995 for the base car, $104,995 for the Luxury, $105,595 for the Sport and $122,795 for the Platinum Luxury.
Best and worst Escalade model years
Federal counts put two years at 9 recalls. The 2015, the first of the fourth generation, has 9 recalls covering air bags, steering, brakes and engine cooling with 103 complaints, and the 2021 has 9 covering the fuel system, powertrain, seat belts and air bags. The 2016 has 4 recalls and 104 complaints, the 2017 has 2, the 2018 has 1 and the 2019 has none. The 2022 and 2023 have 4 each, and the 2023 has the most complaints of the recent years at 133. The 2024 has 2 and the 2025 has 1. Open the 2015 Escalade and 2021 Escalade pages.
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says a reliability website named the 2015 model the worst year to buy, with the most-frequently reported problem said to be a loud tapping noise in the engine. CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says the 2014 model year is widely considered the most reliable. Car Smite (opens in a new tab) divides the Escalade into generations from 1999 to 2014 and later for its year lists.
Choosing a year
The 2015 and 2021 carry the heaviest recall lists, and the 2019 with none is the clean year in federal data. CarsCounsel lists the Lexus GX as the practical alternative for buyers seeking body-on-frame luxury with legendary off-road reliability.
Questions buyers ask
Which Cadillac Escalade year is the worst?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says a reliability website named the 2015 model the worst year to buy, citing a loud tapping noise in the engine.
How much fuel does the 2026 Escalade use?
The EPA rates the 6.2L V8 at 13 to 17 mpg combined, about $4,550 to $5,950 a year in fuel.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade is built around 6.2L V8 or supercharged 6.2L V8 (V-Series), rated at 420 / 682 horsepower across its full-size luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 6 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2025 Cadillac Escalade is published to tow is up to 8,100 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 20 owner complaints for the 2025 Escalade.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Cadillac Escalade
The 2025 Escalade uses a 420-horsepower 6.2L V8 across Luxury through Sport Platinum, while V-Series steps up to a 682-horsepower supercharged version of the same engine.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
5 indexed Cadillac Escalade model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Cadillac Escalade | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Cadillac Escalade | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Cadillac Escalade | 2025 record → | |
| 2022 Cadillac Escalade | 2022 record → | |
| 2017 Cadillac Escalade | 2017 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Cadillac Escalade.
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac as its first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs during the late 1990s, including the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved.
- Reception
- The reviews for the fourth-generation Escalade's redesign have been met with positive reviews from critics.
Source: Cadillac Escalade (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Cadillac Escalade at a glance
- Production
- 1998–present, 2002–present (ESV), 2001–2013 (EXT), 2008–2013 (Hybrid)
- Model years
- 1999–2000, 2002–present
- Class
- Full-size luxury SUV
- Layout
- FR (Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, Front-engine, rear-wheel drive), F4 (Front-engine, four-wheel drive layout, Front-engine, four-wheel drive)
- Chassis
- Body-on-frame
- Related models
- Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Cadillac Escalade generations
The Cadillac Escalade has been redesigned in 2001, 2007, 2015, 2021, gaps of 3, 6, 8, 6 years, an average of 5.8 years between generations. The current generation (fifth generation) began in 2021.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | n/a | 1998–2001 | The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator in the 1998 model year necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury-type trucks. |
| Second generation | n/a | 2001–2007 | Unlike its Chevrolet and GMC siblings, which launched for the 2000 model year, Cadillac delayed the Escalade's switch to the GMT820 chassis until February 2001 as a 2002 model, the last of the three General Motors full-size truck and SUV brands to switch to the new chassis. |
| Third generation | n/a | 2007–2015 | The Escalade moved to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year, along with all of its companion models (Silverado, Sierra, Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali), which were launched simultaneously. |
| Fourth generation | n/a | 2015–2021 | On October 7, 2013, Cadillac unveiled the fourth-generation Escalade and Escalade ESV at an event in New York City, just nearly a month after GM unveiled their next-generation SUVs from Chevrolet and GMC. |
| Fifth generation | n/a | 2021–present | The fifth-generation Escalade debuted on February 4, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California, for the 2021 model year, with sales commencing in the fall of 2020. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Cadillac Escalade overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (5 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Wheels:Hub. General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in… Consequence: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- May 2026, Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). 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… Consequence: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- February 2026, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette… Consequence: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, most often about engine (12), electrical system (6), unknown or other (2).
Year by year
The Cadillac Escalade across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Cadillac Escalade | 13–17 | $4,700–$6,150 | 3 | |||
| 2026 Cadillac Escalade | 13–17 | $4,550–$5,950 | 3 | 3 | 5 stars | |
| 2025 Cadillac Escalade | 13–17 | $4,550–$5,950 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Cadillac Escalade | 13–23 | $3,900–$5,950 | 5 | 2 | 45 | 4 stars |
| 2023 Cadillac Escalade | 13–23 | $3,900–$5,950 | 5 | 4 | 133 | 4 stars |
| 2022 Cadillac Escalade | 16–23 | $3,900–$4,850 | 6 | 4 | 80 | 4 stars |
| 2021 Cadillac Escalade | 16–23 | $3,900–$4,850 | 6 | 9 | 83 | 4 stars |
| 2020 Cadillac Escalade | 17 | $4,550 | 2 | 2 | 14 | |
| 2019 Cadillac Escalade | 17 | $4,550 | 2 | 25 | ||
| 2018 Cadillac Escalade | 17 | $4,550 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 4 stars |
| 2017 Cadillac Escalade | 17 | $3,650 | 2 | 2 | 88 | 4 stars |
| 2016 Cadillac Escalade | 17 | $3,650 | 2 | 4 | 104 | |
| 2015 Cadillac Escalade | 16–17 | $3,650–$3,900 | 8 | 9 | 103 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Cadillac Escalade, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 to 2025 | 5 to 3 | 18.0 to 15.0 | Engines: 3L 6-cyl; Fuels: Diesel | |
| 2023 to 2024 | Labels: Escalade V AWD | Labels: Escalade V 4WD | ||
| 2022 to 2023 | 6 to 5 | 19.5 to 18.0 | Labels: Escalade V 4WD; Transmissions: Automatic (S10) | Engines: 6.2L 8-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start |
| 2020 to 2021 | 2 to 6 | 17.0 to 19.5 | Engines: 3L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start; Fuels: Diesel | |
| 2017 to 2018 | Transmissions: Automatic 10-spd; Fuels: Premium | Transmissions: Automatic 8-spd; Fuels: Regular | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | 8 to 2 | 16.5 to 17.0 | Labels: Escalade ESV 2WD, Escalade ESV 4WD; Transmissions: Automatic 6-spd |
Buying used
What the Cadillac Escalade recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | equipment (other); power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)); wheels (hub) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2025 | 1 | wheels (hub) | None |
| 2024 | 2 | service brakes, hydraulic (brake fluid low warning); engine and engine cooling | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2023 | 4 | exterior lighting (lighting control module); suspension (rear); service brakes, hydraulic (brake fluid low warning); 1 more | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2022 | 4 | seat belts (critical fasteners); exterior lighting (lighting control module); engine and engine cooling; 1 more | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2021 | 9 | seat belts; air bags (srs malfunction warning lamp/light); fuel system, gasoline (delivery); 6 more | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2020 | 2 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); tires | None |
| 2018 | 1 | service brakes, hydraulic (power assist) | None |
| 2017 | 2 | air bags (frontal); service brakes, hydraulic (power assist) | None |
| 2016 | 4 | suspension (front); air bags (frontal); service brakes, hydraulic (power assist) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2015 | 9 | engine and engine cooling (exhaust system); air bags; air bags (frontal); 3 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2015, campaign 26V-289 (May 2026): power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)). Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- 2016, campaign 16V-256 (Apr 2016): suspension (front). Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- 2026, campaign 26V-289 (May 2026): power train (transfer case (4-wheel drive)). Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 387 | 53% | 2023 (104) |
| power train | 130 | 18% | 2015 (28) |
| electrical system | 99 | 14% | 2016 (18) |
| unknown or other | 75 | 10% | 2015 (19) |
| service brakes | 43 | 6% | 2017 (20) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 38 | 5% | 2023 (14) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Cadillac Escalade trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 460 | 6,067 | – | 16 | – |
| Luxury | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 460 | 6,067 | 7,900 | 16 | $104,995 |
| Sport | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 460 | 6,067 | 7,900 | 16 | $105,595 |
| Platinum Luxury | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 460 | 6,067 | 7,900 | 16 | $122,795 |
| Platinum Sport | 4WD | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 460 | 6,067 | 7,900 | 16 | $123,295 |
| V-Series | AWD | 6.2-liter V8 (Supercharged) | 682 | 653 | 6,361 | 7,200 | 13 | $170,895 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Cadillac Escalade model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 6.2-liter V8 / 6.2-liter V8 (Supercharged) | 420–682 | 6,067–6,361 | 7,200–7,900 | 24 |
| 2025 | 6 | 6.2-liter V8 / 6.2-liter V8 (Supercharged) | 420–682 | 6,014–6,361 | 7,200–7,900 | 24 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6.2-liter V8 / 6.2-liter V8 (Supercharged) | 420–682 | 5,823–6,217 | 7,000–8,000 | 24 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6.2-liter V8 / 6.2-liter V8 (Supercharged) | 420–682 | 5,823–6,217 | 7,000–8,000 | 24 |
| 2022 | 5 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,823 | 8,000 | 24 |
| 2021 | 5 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,823 | 8,000 | 24 |
| 2020 | 4 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,578–5,856 | 8,100–8,300 | 26 |
| 2019 | 4 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,578–5,856 | 8,100–8,300 | 26 |
| 2018 | 4 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,578–5,856 | 8,100–8,300 | 26 |
| 2017 | 4 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,521–5,785 | 8,100–8,300 | 26 |
| 2016 | 4 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,552–5,815 | 8,100–8,300 | 26 |
| 2015 | 4 | 6.2-liter V8 | 420 | 5,594–5,840 | 8,100–8,300 | 26 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Cadillac Escalade.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | (8.0 qt) | – | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2026 | (8.0 qt) | – | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2024 | 0W-40 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2023 | – | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2021 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2019 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2015 | – | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Cadillac Escalade: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2025 Cadillac Escalade : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.7).
- 2018 Cadillac Escalade : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.7).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade : 9 recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system and powertrain.
- 2015 Cadillac Escalade : 9 recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags and steering.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | not available | equipment, powertrain, wheels |
| 2025 | 1 | 18 | wheels |
| 2024 | 2 | 45 | brakes, engine cooling |
| 2023 | 4 | 133 | exterior lighting, suspension, brakes, engine cooling |
| 2022 | 4 | 80 | seat belts, exterior lighting, engine cooling, powertrain |
| 2021 | 9 | 83 | fuel system, powertrain, seat belts, airbags |
| 2020 | 2 | 14 | tires, fuel system |
| 2019 | 25 | ||
| 2018 | 1 | 21 | brakes |
| 2017 | 2 | 88 | brakes, airbags |
| 2016 | 4 | 104 | airbags, brakes, suspension |
| 2015 | 9 | 103 | airbags, steering, brakes, engine cooling |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Cadillac Escalade model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Cadillac Escalade?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2025, 2018 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2021, 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Cadillac Escalade model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has 9 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system, powertrain, seat belts; The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has 9 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags, steering, brakes. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Cadillac Escalade model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade has 1 recall on file; The 2018 Cadillac Escalade has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 3.7. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Cadillac Escalade by model year?
2026: equipment, powertrain, wheels. 2025: wheels. 2024: brakes, engine cooling. 2023: exterior lighting, suspension, brakes, engine cooling. 2022: seat belts, exterior lighting, engine cooling, powertrain. 2021: fuel system, powertrain, seat belts, airbags.
Q05Why do some Cadillac Escalade model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Cadillac Escalade model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Engine and cooling, Transmission and drivetrain, Climate and electrical.
2021 Cadillac Escalade owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Transmission and drivetrain and Buying, records and recalls.
2015 Cadillac Escalade owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering and Engine and cooling.
Compared with
Models this Cadillac Escalade is most often compared with.
Nearest Cadillac models
Other Cadillac models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Escalade come in?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade (full-size luxury SUV) comes in 6 trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, V-Series.
Q02What are the 2025 Escalade trims?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade trims are Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, V-Series, listed from the entry Luxury up to the top V-Series.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Escalade use?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade is built around 6.2L V8 or supercharged 6.2L V8 (V-Series), rated at 420 / 682 horsepower across its full-size luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Escalade have?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade is rated at 420 / 682 horsepower (6.2L V8 or supercharged 6.2L V8 (V-Series)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Escalade?
The 2025 Cadillac Escalade is offered with RWD / 4WD.