Cadillac Escalade 2007–2014 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (GMT900) · GMT926 (SUV) / GMT936 (ESV)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026715 complaints, 366 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- 87,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 286
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system139 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Electrical system42 reports
- Engine41 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system · Wheels — rim
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- 97,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 167
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system95 reports
- Electrical system29 reports
- Engine14 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- 95,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 85
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2009
- Airbag system32 reports
- Electrical system19 reports
- Engine15 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system · Fuel system, gasoline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 43
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2010
- Airbag system25 reports
- Electrical system6 reports
- Engine3 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 65
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2011
- Airbag system42 reports
- Body structure7 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise5 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition · Steering — linkages
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 26
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2012
- Electrical system12 reports
- Airbag system4 reports
- Engine4 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 22
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2013
- Electrical system5 reports
- Transmission and driveline5 reports
- Engine4 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Cadillac Escalade
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 21
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2014
- Electrical system8 reports
- Airbag system5 reports
- Engine3 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Electrical system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2008; earliest: the 2007, and the 2007 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 5 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 88,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 158,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 366
- Recalls
- 15
Most reported
- Airbag system48.3% of complaints · median 98,000 mi
- Electrical system17.5% of complaints · median 88,000 mi
- Engine11.7% of complaints · median 128,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine (Active Fuel Management)2010–2014
- Interior (dashboard)2007–2014
- Airbags (Takata Inflator)2007–2014
- Transmission2007–2014
Owners filed 715 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade; the airbag system leads with 48.3% of them, and half of the 366 that record an odometer reading came by 88,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 48,000 to 120,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade last?
On the 2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade, half of the 366 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 88,000 miles and 90% by 158,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
48 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 10 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Escalade reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Cadillac Escalade 2007–2014 · 366 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 36 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 10 complaints (2.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 48,000
- Median
- 88,000
- 75%
- 120,000
- 90%
- 158,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 36 | 9.8% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 17 | 4.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 12 | 3.3% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 13 | 3.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 15 | 4.1% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 20 | 5.5% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 22 | 6.0% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 26 | 7.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 29 | 7.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 34 | 9.3% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 29 | 7.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 19 | 5.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 19 | 5.2% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 19 | 5.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 8 | 2.2% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 13 | 3.6% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 12 | 3.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 5 | 1.4% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 7 | 1.9% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 10 | 2.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Escalade problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Cadillac Escalade 2007–2014
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Body structure51 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 25,000–100,000
- Electrical system125 reportsmedian 88,000middle half 55,000–112,000
- Problems owners could not categorise43 reportsmedian 92,000middle half 55,000–110,000
- Transmission and driveline43 reportsmedian 97,000middle half 73,000–130,000
- Airbag system345 reportsmedian 98,000middle half 56,000–127,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)38 reportsmedian 99,000middle half 70,000–125,000
- Engine84 reportsmedian 128,000middle half 91,000–160,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 345 | 48.3% | 98,000 | 56,000–127,000 |
| Electrical system | 125 | 17.5% | 88,000 | 55,000–112,000 |
| Engine | 84 | 11.7% | 128,000 | 91,000–160,000 |
| Body structure | 51 | 7.1% | 75,000 | 25,000–100,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 43 | 6.0% | 97,000 | 73,000–130,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 43 | 6.0% | 92,000 | 55,000–110,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 38 | 5.3% | 99,000 | 70,000–125,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 4.2% | 92,000 | 17,000–109,000 |
| Seats | 27 | 3.8% | 100,000 | 70,000–118,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 27 | 3.8% | 79,000 | 10,000–119,000 |
Known problems with the 2007–2014 Escalade
Engine (Active Fuel Management) 2010–2014
AFM on the 6.2L L94 drives excessive oil consumption and collapsed or failed valve lifters. A failed lifter causes misfire, ticking and often camshaft lobe damage requiring top-end rebuild. Subject of class action litigation across GM's AFM V8 range. Note the pre-AFM L92 (2007-2009) does not share this failure mode.
Interior (dashboard) 2007–2014
Dashboard top surface cracks and splits, typically radiating from the passenger airbag seam. Extremely widely reported across the generation; GM never issued a recall, treating it as cosmetic.
Airbags (Takata Inflator) 2007–2014
GM full-size trucks and SUVs of this generation are part of the Takata inflator recall population.
Transmission 2007–2014
6L80 torque converter shudder and harsh 1-2 shifts, commonly traced to torque converter clutch material degradation and fluid condition.
Fuel System 2007–2014
Fuel level sender failure producing an erratic or stuck fuel gauge, a shared GM full-size truck complaint of the era.
Before you buy a 2007–2014 Escalade: the 3-minute check
Generated from 366 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 5 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine (Active fuel management) on 2010–2014 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check interior (dashboard) on 2007–2014 cars.
- Check airbags (Takata inflator) on 2007–2014 cars.
- Years differ here: from 21 to 286 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Escalade problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi31% below | At 90k mi52% below | At 120k mi74% below | At 150k mi87% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 56,000–127,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 55,000–112,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 91,000–160,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Body structure | 25,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 73,000–130,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 55,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 70,000–125,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Cadillac Escalade 2007–2014 · 366 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 31% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 52% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2007–2014 Cadillac Escalade recalls (15)
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the electrical system (4), the suspension (2) (why one area can repeat).
Feb 2021 · 2010–2014 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2009–2010, 2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2007–2009 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2007–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Dec 2014 · 2011–2012 · Electrical SystemIf stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected…
What can happen. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at…
Oct 2014 · 2013–2014 · Electrical SystemIf the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and…
What can happen. If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick)…
Jan 2013 · 2013 · Power TrainAs a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF…
The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles…
What can happen. As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call…
Jun 2011 · 2011 · SteeringThis could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk…
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac Escalade, Escalade esv; Chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and GMC sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been…
What can happen. This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may…
Jan 2011 · 2011 · SuspensionThe driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade esv, Escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and GMC canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…
Dec 2010 · 2011 · SuspensionThe driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac Escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado ld and GMC sierra ld vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle.…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…
Jun 2010 · 2007–2009 · Electrical SystemIt is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade esv, Escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC…
What can happen. It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
The free fix. Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has…
May 2009 · 2009 · Fuel System, GasolineWater in the module could cause a short or open circuit, illumination of the service engine soon lamp…
The defect. Gm is recalling 27,188 my 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade hybrid, Escalade esv, and Escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, suburban, tahoe, tahoe hybrid, and colorado; and GMC yukon, yukon hybrid, yukon xl, and canyon vehicles. The fuel system control modules…
What can happen. Water in the module could cause a short or open circuit, illumination of the service engine soon lamp, setting of diagnostic trouble codes or the engine may be hard to start, may not start or may…
The free fix. Dealers will install a new fuel system control module free of charge. The recall began on may 18, 2009. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at…
Aug 2008 · 2007–2008 · Electrical SystemThis may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk…
The defect. Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade esv, Escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick…
What can happen. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or…
Aug 2006 · 2007 · WheelsIf a customer replaces a wheel and only relies on the rim size designation that is indicated on the label, a…
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles and trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles have an incomplete tire rim designation on the certification/tire label located on the…
What can happen. If a customer replaces a wheel and only relies on the rim size designation that is indicated on the label, a wheel that is of a different rim contour designation may be installed. It may be difficult…
The free fix. A label that will correct the label originally installed will be mailed to consumers along with installation instructions. The customer will have the option for dealers to install the label. The…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 715 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 32 (4.5%)
- Fires
- 20
- Injury reports
- 33
- Fatality reports
- 2
Escalade problems by model year
The 2007 drew the most complaints of this generation, 286, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2014 the fewest, 21. A typical year drew about 54.
That makes the 2007 stand out at roughly 5.3 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 286 | 147 | 87,000 | Airbag system (139) | 5 |
| 2008 | 167 | 79 | 97,000 | Airbag system (95) | 4 |
| 2009 | 85 | 53 | 95,000 | Airbag system (32) | 5 |
| 2010 | 43 | 18 | under 30 reports | Airbag system (25) | 3 |
| 2011 | 65 | 21 | under 30 reports | Airbag system (42) | 6 |
| 2012 | 26 | 21 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (12) | 3 |
| 2013 | 22 | 16 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (5) | 4 |
| 2014 | 21 | 11 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (8) | 2 |
What Escalade owners reported
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at highway speeds, the "Engine Power Reduced" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder…
2013 · 100,000 miles · Engine
The contact owned a 2007 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, there was an area where the pavement was incomplete and caused the vehicle to go off-road and into the woods, and the vehicle crashed into the trees, where it came to a stop. The ABS and check engine warning lights were…
2007 · 160,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 72 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. The driver discovered that the accelerator pedal adjustment button had been inadvertently depressed by the wallet, causing the pedal position to change and resulting in the…
2013 · 250,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that upon approaching the parked vehicle, he discovered that all the air bags had deployed without impact. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the air bag…
2007 · 123,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 366 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Escalade generations
- Escalade 2002–2006 314 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Escalade 2015–2020 188 reports with mileage, most about the engine