2015 Cadillac Escalade

Showing the 2015 Escalade Platinum Edition. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

Fuel economy
16–17 mpgcombined; city 14–15, highway 20–22; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$19,110–$20,300U.S. average; Ohio $17,070–$18,140 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
Not ratedlowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
9over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
106filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2015 Escalade. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Escalade. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine29011
Power train29001
Unknown or other19000
Electrical system17120
Steering10217
Suspension9000
Service brakes8100
Fuel/propulsion system7100
Vehicle speed control7101
Structure5200
Air bags3213
Forward collision avoidance3000
12 more parts
Lane departure3000
Back over prevention2000
Electronic stability control (ESC)2000
Engine and engine cooling2000
Equipment1000
Exterior lighting1000
Fuel system, gasoline1000
Seat belts1000
Seats1000
Service brakes, hydraulic1001
Visibility1000
Visibility/wiper1000

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 200624
  2. 2007286
  3. 2008167
  4. 200985
  5. 201043
  6. 201165
  7. 201226
  8. 201322
  9. 201421
  10. 2015106
  11. 2016104
  12. 201789
  13. 201836
  14. 201959
  15. 202036
  16. 2021167
  17. 2022142
  18. 2023232
  19. 202474
  20. 202538
  21. 202653

Every Escalade year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2015 Escalade over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 26V329000 · reported May 21, 2026 · 5,014 vehicles potentially affected

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.

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

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: transfer case (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

NHTSA campaign 26V289000 · reported May 7, 2026 · 66 vehicles potentially affected

Do not drive until repaired

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.

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

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

NHTSA campaign 19V645000 · reported Sep 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Steering: electric power assist system

NHTSA campaign 18V586000 · reported Sep 7, 2018 · 1,015,918 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: frontal; Air bags: frontal; Seat belts: pretensioner

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · reported Jul 10, 2017 · 40,683 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: frontal; Air bags: frontal; Seat belts: pretensioner

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · reported Sep 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags

NHTSA campaign 14V624000 · reported Oct 6, 2014 · 1,046 vehicles potentially affected

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."

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

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags

NHTSA campaign 14V259000 · reported May 16, 2014 · 2,838 vehicles potentially affected

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."

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

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

NHTSA campaign 14V007000 · reported Jan 13, 2014 · 325,213 vehicles potentially affected

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.

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

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 2,518 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2015 Escalade, the latest on Sep 26, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: equipment (914), electrical system (537), power train (290), engine and engine cooling (252), engine (220).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Preliminary evaluation PE18012
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure · covers 3 makes
Service brakesNov 20, 2018Closed Apr 10, 2022
NHTSA's summary names recall 19V645000
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2015 Escalade.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Specs

EPA class: standard sport utility vehicle. EPA greenhouse gas score: 3–4 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Escalade
Rear-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 6-spdRegular Gasoline15 / 21 / 17
Escalade
Rear-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline15 / 22 / 17
Escalade
4-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline15 / 21 / 17
Escalade
4-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 6-spdRegular Gasoline14 / 21 / 16
Escalade ESV
Rear-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 6-spdRegular Gasoline15 / 21 / 17
Escalade ESV
Rear-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline15 / 22 / 17
Escalade ESV
4-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline14 / 20 / 17
Escalade ESV
4-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 6-spdRegular Gasoline14 / 20 / 16

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data