Cadillac Escalade 2015–2020
4th generation (K2XX) · GM K2XX (K2UG)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026416 complaints, 199 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 199
- Median of reported failures
- 45,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (26.7%)
- Recalls
- 13
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 16,000 and 84,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Cadillac Escalade 2015–2020 · 199 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 59 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,700
- 25%
- 16,000
- Median
- 45,000
- 75%
- 84,000
- 90%
- 110,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 59 | 29.6% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 30 | 15.1% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 41 | 20.6% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 18 | 9.0% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 21 | 10.6% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 13 | 6.5% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 8 | 4.0% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 4 | 2.0% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 3 | 1.5% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 416 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade, and 199 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 16,000 and 84,000 miles. The median is 45,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (26.7% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (14.4% of complaints, typically around 43,000 miles), the electrical system (10.3% of complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
13 recall campaigns cover this generation. 2 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade were filed by 45,000 miles and 90% by 110,000 miles — figures drawn from 199 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
2 reports (1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Escalade reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2015–2020 Escalade: the 3-minute check
Generated from 199 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at any dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission (8l90 8-speed) on 2016–2017 (8–speed only) cars. Torque converter shudder and harsh, clunking shifts on the 8L90, traced to degradation of the factory Dexron VI fluid interacting with the torque converter clutch. GM's service remedy was a full fluid flush and refill…
- Check engine (active fuel management) on 2015–2020 cars. L86 AFM valve lifter collapse and excessive oil consumption, same mechanism as the prior generation's L94 - misfire, ticking and potential camshaft damage.
- Check steering on 2015–2016 cars. Electric power steering assist can be lost momentarily, particularly at low speed, increasing steering effort without warning; NHTSA recall on affected early vehicles.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 16,000 and 84,000 miles, with a median of 45,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 43,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Cadillac Escalade 2015–2020
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Brakes24 reports15,00010,000–46,000Brakes: 24 reports, median 15,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 46,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise40 reports34,00014,000–55,000Problems owners could not categorise: 40 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 14,000 to 55,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline60 reports43,00025,000–55,000Transmission and driveline: 60 reports, median 43,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 55,000 miles.
- Suspension24 reports45,0004,000–54,000Suspension: 24 reports, median 45,000 miles, middle half 4,000 to 54,000 miles.
- Electrical system43 reports56,00022,000–100,000Electrical system: 43 reports, median 56,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Engine111 reports67,00020,000–95,000Engine: 111 reports, median 67,000 miles, middle half 20,000 to 95,000 miles.
- Steering20 reports75,00019,000–88,000Steering: 20 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 19,000 to 88,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 111 | 26.7% | 67,000 | 20,000–95,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 60 | 14.4% | 43,000 | 25,000–55,000 |
| Electrical system | 43 | 10.3% | 56,000 | 22,000–100,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 40 | 9.6% | 34,000 | 14,000–55,000 |
| Suspension | 24 | 5.8% | 45,000 | 4,000–54,000 |
| Brakes | 24 | 5.8% | 15,000 | 10,000–46,000 |
| Steering | 20 | 4.8% | 75,000 | 19,000–88,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 11 | 2.6% | — | — |
| Body structure | 11 | 2.6% | — | — |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 9 | 2.2% | — | — |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Cadillac Escalade 2015–2020 · 199 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 65% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.0% of reports (2) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
65% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 43,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Suspension — median 45,000 mi
- Brakes — median 15,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 20,000–95,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 22,000–100,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 19,000–88,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
79% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 43,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Suspension — median 45,000 mi
- Brakes — median 15,000 mi
- Steering — median 75,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 20,000–95,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 22,000–100,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
91% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 67,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 43,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 56,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Suspension — median 45,000 mi
- Brakes — median 15,000 mi
- Steering — median 75,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 45,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 26.7% of complaints (111 reports, 34 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 67,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 95,000 miles.
A single system taking 26.7% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 14.4% of complaints (60 reports, 32 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 55,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.3% of complaints (43 reports, 18 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 100,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 9.6% of complaints (40 reports, 25 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 34,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 14,000 and 55,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 5.8% of complaints (24 reports, 10 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,000 and 54,000 miles.
The brakes account for 5.8% of complaints (24 reports, 15 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 15,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 46,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2015 model year drew the most — 144 complaints — while 2018 drew the fewest at 29. The median year sits at 77.
The first year of the generation, 2015, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
2 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the seat belts (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 416 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 21 (5.0%)
- Fires
- 18
- Injury reports
- 15
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Transmission (8l90 8-Speed) 2016–2017 (8–speed only)
Torque converter shudder and harsh, clunking shifts on the 8L90, traced to degradation of the factory Dexron VI fluid interacting with the torque converter clutch. GM's service remedy was a full fluid flush and refill with Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP. Subject of class action litigation across GM's 8-speed range.
Engine (active Fuel Management) 2015–2020
L86 AFM valve lifter collapse and excessive oil consumption, same mechanism as the prior generation's L94 - misfire, ticking and potential camshaft damage.
Steering 2015–2016
Electric power steering assist can be lost momentarily, particularly at low speed, increasing steering effort without warning; NHTSA recall on affected early vehicles.
Interior (dashboard) 2015–2016
Dashboard cracking continued to be reported into the early years of this generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 144 | 83 |
| 2016 | 122 | 65 |
| 2017 | 77 | 38 |
| 2018 | 29 | 7 |
| 2019 | 29 | 3 |
| 2020 | 15 | 3 |
Recalls (13) — is your car included?
Aug 2027 · 2015 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in…
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.
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. 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.
May 2026 · 2015 · Power Train do not driveFront or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
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.
What can happen. Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Mar 2021 · 2020 · TiresOver cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
What can happen. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Nov 2020 · 2018 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
What can happen. A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
Dec 2019 · 2020 · Fuel System, GasolineOver-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
What can happen. Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Oct 2019 · 2015–2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicAs the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance…
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.
What can happen. 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 free fix. 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.
Oct 2018 · 2015 · SteeringIf EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle…
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.
What can happen. 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 free fix. 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.
Aug 2017 · 2015–2016 · Seat BeltsA failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating…
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 th
What can happen. 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 free fix. 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.
Oct 2016 · 2015–2017 · Seat BeltsA failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating…
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 o
What can happen. 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 free fix. 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.
May 2016 · 2016 · Suspension do not driveInadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
What can happen. Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Nov 2014 · 2015 · Air BagsInconsistent air bag deployment increases the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash necessitating…
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."
What can happen. Inconsistent air bag deployment increases the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment.
The free fix. 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.
Jun 2014 · 2015 · Air BagsIn the event of an accident, an air bag that only partially deploys increases the risk of occupant injury.
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."
What can happen. In the event of an accident, an air bag that only partially deploys increases the risk of occupant injury.
The free fix. 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.
Jan 2014 · 2015 · Engine and Engine CoolingThe overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
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.
What can happen. The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
The free fix. 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.
What owners reported
My 2015 Cadillac Escalade has been in the shop for 130+ days in the first calendar year for defective brakes, transmission, suspension, electrical, and hvac. I have contacted gm and they don't want to repurchase the vehicle. The vehicle is constantly in the shop for problems and it is not a vehicle that should be…
2015 · 10,000 miles · Brakes
The vehicle had virtually no brakes to stop it and 11,215 miles. General motors already had service warnings out to dealers dated 7/17/2015, gm document id #4242788. They say they replaced pads and rotors. At 23,589 miles the vehicle needed brakes again. Service manager tells us that this is a known problem at general…
2015 · 11,000 miles · Brakes
At 15000 miles and original owner while towing our brakes completely gave out. No warning sign, no leakage, only 1 symptom a few months prior where the brake peddle was mushy. Dealership said it was fine. Everything worked fine driving it throughout day. Stopped for dinner just before we entered mountain pass. Got in…
2015 · 15,000 miles · Brakes
I pulled into the garage and pushed the button to turn the engine off. The vehicle was still in drive. All doors locked when they were closed. I could not open the door with the button on the door handle even though the fob was on me. I went to the back to open the rear hatch. I could not. The vehicle stated to roll…
2015 · 16,000 miles · Brakes
Built from 199 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page