NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV, describing incidents dated May 13, 2015 to April 18, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 3 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 8 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11658187 · Filed May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with…
ODI #11220368 · Filed June 15, 2019
CAR AT 56000 MILES WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. REASON WAS THE CHASSIS CONTROL,MODULE WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND WAS LEFT EXPOSED ALLOWING SNOW TO CORRODE THE MODULE. CADILLAC REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THAT INCLUDED $650 IN DIAGNOSTIC TIME
ODI #11151544 · Filed November 14, 2018
EXHAUST GAS ENTERS CABIN WHENEVER STATIONARY. EVEN AT BRIEF TRAFFIC SIGNALS, FUMES QUICKLY ENTER VEHICLE. CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD.

Read all 8 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE18-012: Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Closed April 10, 2022
- Recall 19V-645

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #26V329000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 21, 2026 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 5,014 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N262555870 · Vehicles built October 15, 2014 – July 17, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Do Not Drive: Front and/or Rear Wheels May Lock Up

NHTSA #26V289000 · Power Train — Transfer Case (4-WHEEL DRIVE) · NHTSA notice

Reported May 7, 2026 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 66 vehicles

Repair completion: 63.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N262557620 · Owners notified May 18, 2026 · Vehicles built July 15, 2014 – July 15, 2014 (per NHTSA)

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Cadillac dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Frontal Air Bags May Not Deploy

NHTSA #17V437000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported July 10, 2017 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 40,683 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.39% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 17287 · Owners notified August 4, 2017 · Vehicles built December 3, 2013 – August 13, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Frontal Air Bags May Not Deploy

NHTSA #16V651000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported September 8, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,640,162 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 16007 · Owners notified October 13, 2016 · Vehicles built December 3, 2013 – August 15, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inconsistent Passenger Airbag Deployment/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #14V624000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported October 6, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,046 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14686 · Owners notified November 11, 2014 · Vehicles built September 5, 2014 – September 23, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Inconsistent air bag deployment increases the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Partial Passenger Air Bag Deployment/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #14V259000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 2,838 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14220 · Owners notified June 9, 2014 · Vehicles built April 6, 2014 – May 13, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

In the event of an accident, an air bag that only partially deploys increases the risk of occupant injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

21% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

1 investigation

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

20% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

1 investigation

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11658187

Incident: April 18, 2025 · Filed: May 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the variable valve timing, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Engine

ODI #11220368

Incident: April 25, 2019 · Filed: June 15, 2019

CAR AT 56000 MILES WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. REASON WAS THE CHASSIS CONTROL,MODULE WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND WAS LEFT EXPOSED ALLOWING SNOW TO CORRODE THE MODULE. CADILLAC REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THAT INCLUDED $650 IN DIAGNOSTIC TIME

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11151544

Incident: November 13, 2018 · Filed: November 14, 2018

EXHAUST GAS ENTERS CABIN WHENEVER STATIONARY. EVEN AT BRIEF TRAFFIC SIGNALS, FUMES QUICKLY ENTER VEHICLE. CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD.

Power Train; Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11075968

Incident: February 14, 2018 · Filed: March 2, 2018

MY 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 50+ DAYS SINCE PURCHASING IN 2015 FOR DEFECTIVE BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, TRIM, TECHNOLOGY, CHASSIS, 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 OPERATED ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. NUMEROUS PARTS OF MY TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED/REPROGRAMMED/REBUILT BEFORE DUE TO DEFECTS IN DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY. THE TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES, JERKS AND SHUTTERS WHEN DRIVING, POPS AND CREAKS WHEN STOPPED AND CLUNKS WHEN LAUNCHING FROM STOP OR ROLLING STOP. THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE CAR TO TAKE OFF IN 4TH GEAR RATHER THAN IN 1ST GEAR WHICH MEANS THE CAR FEELS AS IF THERE IS NO POWER TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND FEELS AS IF IT IS BROKEN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 14 TIMES AND GM NOW DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAS VERIFIED THE CONCERN AND DOCUMENTED IT. I FEEL THAT GM IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE SAFE VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROAD. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY. I HAVE ALREADY PUT GM ON NOTICE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES THAT PLAGUE 2015 FULL SIZE GM SUV OWNERS. THERE ARE A LOT OF US OUT THERE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH.

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11005298

Incident: March 25, 2016 · Filed: July 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER FRACTURED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP AND IMPAIRED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CADILLAC OF MAHWAH, NJ) WHO STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER SEVEN WEEKS WHEN THE PART WAS LOCATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIR PART WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,500.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10909660

Incident: September 26, 2016 · Filed: September 26, 2016

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE WHERE THE LOWER ANCHORS (LATCH) FOR THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT ARE ASYMMETRIC - WITH THE INBOARD ANCHOR BEING BOTH LOWER, AND PROTRUDING FARTHER OUT, THAN THE INBOARD LOWER ANCHOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS 2 CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS IN THE 2ND ROW - BOTH FEATURE LOWER ANCHORS (LATCH). A PICTURE OF THE 2ND ROW DRIVER'S SEAT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO SHOW THAT THESE LOWER ANCHORS ARE SYMMETRICAL AS THEY SHOULD BE. THE PICTURE OF THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT SHOWS THESE LOWER ANCHORS TO BE ASYMMETRICAL. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. IN THE PAST THE CLEK FOONF CHILD RESTRAINT WAS ATTACHED USING RIGID LATCH IN THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE.

Electrical System

ODI #10790680

Incident: September 7, 2015 · Filed: November 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ACTIVATED, THE HEAT INDEPENDENTLY TURNED ALL THE WAY UP IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEAT CAUSED ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS TO PASS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THAT THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Structure; Vehicle Speed Control; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10716407

Crash

Incident: May 13, 2015 · Filed: May 14, 2015

ACCELERATION FOR NO REASON. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I WAS NEARING THE EDGE OF THE CURB ON MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, STOPPED THE CAR, AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE SO I COULD MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD TO AVOID HITTING THE CURB WHILE BACKING OUT . ONCE I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE CAR WENT TO FULL ACCELERATION FOR NO REASON AND HIT A POLE AT FULL ACCELERATION APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET AWAY.

Other Cadillac Escalade ESV model years

Check your 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac Escalade ESV at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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