NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture when the air bag deploys, potentially causing injury.
This page covers 10 recalls, 94 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade.
16–17 mpg combined
13.8–14.7 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints about the 2015 Escalade cluster most heavily around the powertrain and engine. On the powertrain side, owners report transmission hesitation and rough or delayed engagement, sometimes accompanied by shuddering. The engine complaints are dominated by a recurring pattern of lifter and camshaft failures, with owners describing knocking noises, sudden stalling, and unexpected loss of power, in several cases with little or no warning light before the engine quit. Some owners report the check engine light never illuminated before the stall occurred. A separate but notable thread in the engine complaints involves fuel leaks, with multiple owners describing fuel escaping from the tank area, in some cases noticed only after someone outside the vehicle pointed it out. Steering complaints round out the top three reported systems, though at lower volume than the powertrain and engine issues.
94
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has 10 recalls, the most serious being a driver-side airbag inflator that can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, with the potential for serious injury or death.
Several other recalls also involve airbag and restraint systems. The passenger-side airbag may be incorrectly mounted or attached to a poorly formed instrument panel top cover, either of which can cause irregular or partial deployment in a crash. The airbag module on vehicles built during a narrow window in spring 2014 may also only partially inflate due to a weak weld holding it in place. Separate from the airbag concerns, front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to fire in a crash, leaving the driver and front passenger without full protection.
On the drivetrain side, four-wheel-drive models face a transfer case defect that can cause front or rear wheel lockup, raising the risk of losing control. The brake vacuum pump can weaken over time, reducing power assist and extending stopping distances. There are also two related steering concerns: the electric power steering assist can cut out momentarily and then snap back suddenly, making the vehicle difficult to control at low speeds, particularly during turns.
At a glance
What can fail
The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture when the air bag deploys, potentially causing injury.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A missing drivetrain component in the transfer case can cause the front and/or rear wheels to suddenly lock up without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transfer case and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vacuum pump produces less vacuum over time, which can reduce braking system performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module at no cost to restore proper braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering system may temporarily lose assist, then suddenly regain it while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the steering system's software at no cost to restore normal operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During low-speed turns, a software issue may cause electric power steering assist to drop out briefly then suddenly return, creating unexpected changes in steering effort that could affect vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electric power steering module software to correct the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side instrument panel top cover may be defective, causing the airbag to deploy irregularly and potentially injure front passengers.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the instrument panel top cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side airbag mounting may not be welded to the correct specifications, which could affect how the airbag deploys in a crash and increase injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel right side upper trim panel.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag module is attached to the instrument panel with an infrared weld that isn't hot enough. This weak connection may cause the front passenger air bag to deploy only partially in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel right side upper trim panel to secure the air bag module properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
