NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Cadillac Escalade Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 98 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, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2015 Cadillac Escalade owner complaints

Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, describing incidents dated January 1, 2015 to September 16, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 28 complaints
  • Power Train 28 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 17 complaints
  • Electrical System 15 complaints
  • Steering 10 complaints
  • Service Brakes 9 complaints

Of the 98 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 98 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11767778 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11764891 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11762253 · Filed

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

Read all 98 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Cadillac Escalade 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.

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 May 20, 2014 – July 16, 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 August 25, 2014 – August 25, 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.

Vacuum Pump May Decrease Power Brake Assist

NHTSA #19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported September 6, 2019 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,456,719 vehicles

Repair completion: 74.89% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N192268490 · Owners notified October 8, 2019 · Vehicles built December 3, 2013 – August 19, 2017 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Temporary Loss of Electric Power Steering (EPS)

NHTSA #18V586000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported September 7, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,015,918 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18289 · Owners notified October 12, 2018 · Vehicles built December 3, 2013 – July 23, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 #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 4, 2013 – August 15, 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 – July 21, 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 4, 2014 – September 24, 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.

Overheating Of Exhaust Components may cause Fire

NHTSA #14V007000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System · NHTSA notice

Reported January 13, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 325,213 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14008 · Owners notified January 16, 2014 · Vehicles built December 3, 2013 – December 15, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Other Cadillac Escalade model years

Check your 2015 Cadillac Escalade VIN

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

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