2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems
Compared with other Cadillac Escalade ESV years
Too new to compare
- Model years are compared once their first three years of complaints are in; the 2026 can be compared from 2029.
- Most reported part: Engine (11 complaints).
- 1 recall with a do-not-drive warning, 3 in total. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 31 do-not-drive
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- —not in EPA data
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The part named most often is engine, with 11 complaints (100% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and exterior lighting (1). NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 245 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine11 100%
- Electrical system3 27%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
- Steering1 9.1%
Example complaints
Engine: “I was driving my NEW 2026 Cadillac Escalade down the highway when my engine froze up! It was damaged so bad that they replaced the engine. So obviously GM has not fixed this problem. They promised that the issue was fixed or I would have never bought this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11758860, filed 2026-08Electrical system: “At 9,000 miles the engine on my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV started knocking and the dealership replaced it. They did not provide a loaner or a rental vehicle for the time the vehicle was at the shop. After the replacement, the new engine sounds the same and will probably needs replacing as well. After the fix I started getting electrical issues my rear right signal and taillight started acting up. Sometimes the rear signal doesn't work and another times the rear right taillight would stay on after turning the vehicle off and locking it.”
NHTSA complaint #11760228, filed 2026-08Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade ESV · SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 21.9% risk |
| Escalade ESV · SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 21.2% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2026 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2025: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)Covers: Cadillac Escalade ESV 2015, 2026, Chevrolet Suburban 2015, 2017–2020, Tahoe 2016–2017, 2019, 2026 +6 more
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…
- 26V304000May 14, 2026Wheels › HubCovers: Cadillac Escalade ESV 2025–2026, Escalade 2025–2026, GMC Yukon 2025–2026 +3 more
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which…
- 26V114000Feb 26, 2026Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manualCovers: Cadillac Escalade ESV 2026, Chevrolet Equinox EV 2025–2026, Cadillac Optiq 2025–2026 +33 more
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet…
Recall details for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 245 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038744Oct 24, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to a garage opener and to replace the opener with a new updated part.
- 11038745Oct 21, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information is to help technicians decide if the DTC needs to be diagnosed if relating to the concern and if it is not, the DTC can be ignored.
- 11038460Oct 7, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the SES MIL and DTC P062B and engineering is currently investigating.
- 11038139Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary PI was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be able to perform a GDS automated bleed with the scan tool dues to a issue with the software in the scan tool
- 11038164Oct 2, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information is to help technicians decide if the DTC needs to be diagnosed if relating to the concern and if it is not, the DTC can be ignored.
- 11038136Sep 28, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform any part replacements. They should follow the notes mentioned prior to anything being…
- 11038133Sep 28, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates an issue with of a service theft message after using the rear window defogger. Engineering is currently investigating.
- 11038132Sep 28, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037553Sep 22, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates an issue with of a service theft message after using the rear window defogger. Engineering is currently investigating.
Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 14 | 12,800 | 1 | 5 | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 22 | 19,000 | 2 | 4 | — | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 92 | 40,000 | 4 | 4 | — | 100 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 58 | 42,765 | 4 | 4 | — | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 74 | 69,608 | 10 | 4 | — | 87 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 22 | 65,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 34 | 108,350 | 1 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 15 | 167,054 | 1 | 4 | — | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 38 | 31,278 | 1 | 4 | — | 32 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 15 | 37,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 8 | 40,000 | 6 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 13 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 6 | 69,600 | 5 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 17 | 52,500 | 4 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 39 | 74,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 5 | 36,500 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 14 | 95,987 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 22 | 72,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Falling |
| 2003 | 12 | 93,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
All Cadillac Escalade ESV model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 11 complaints (100% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.