This page covers 3 recalls, 48 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade.
17 mpg combined
13.8 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.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For 2017 Escalade owners, the engine is by far the most-reported concern. A recurring pattern involves the Active Fuel Management system, specifically the cylinder-deactivating lifters in the 6.2L V8. Owners report collapsed or failed lifters leading to camshaft damage, engine misfires, and in some cases connecting rod failure, often accompanied by a check engine light and misfire codes. Several owners describe the vehicle shuddering or losing smooth power delivery while driving, typically surfacing somewhere in the 80,000–100,000-mile range. Powertrain complaints follow at a lower volume, with some overlap in symptoms. A smaller number of owners report electric power steering loss while driving, describing the steering wheel becoming suddenly stiff and difficult to turn.
48
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the transfer case in four-wheel drive models, where the front or rear wheels can lock up unexpectedly and cause a crash.
The brake system also carries a notable concern: the vacuum pump that provides power assistance to the brakes can weaken over time, meaning the pedal requires significantly more force to press and the vehicle takes longer to stop than expected. A driver who pushes the brake pedal and finds it stiff and unresponsive may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. The third recall involves the front seatbelt pretensioners and airbags, which may fail to deploy in a crash that would normally trigger them, leaving the driver and front passenger without the full protection the restraint system is designed to provide.
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.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 →
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
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.
