2017 Cadillac Escalade: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (33% of complaints); the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The transmission gear make noise when the gear shift and the engine have loud noise tick tick inside the engine . I'm feel not safe to drive and feel very stressful of my car .i can't sleep due to car not safe drive”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle briefly jerked and was unable to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel injectors. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Special Coverage: N182198000. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2025
“Widely known problem with the 2017 Escalade motor with the active fuel management system. Driving in a very remote part of Wisconsin when engine light went on, indicating a lifter failure due to the afv shutting down cylinders. This is an extremly common problem with this engine/feature. I was left stranded with my family and a costly repair. (5k)”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2025
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“Battery terminals going from battery to power distribution panel on top of battery, crimps bad/corroded causing intermittent connection and overcharging the battery by providing false voltages to alternator,”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud clunking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle then decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who recommended replacing the valve body. The part was on backorder, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2024
“Cylinder 6 always presents as a misfired. Between my fiancé and I, we have 3 Escalades. After several diagnostic checks and repair bills, the lifters damaged the Cam shaft. According to the certified Cadillac mechanics, this is an ongoing problem based on the motor's design. This is a pretty costly repair x3 vehicles.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2023
“My family and I were driving and the car started breaking and turning the wheel then died . We took it to the dealership 3x and on the third time they found a code for the safety module On each incident the car was difficult to control and it put my families life at risk. I have sent an email to Mr Roth with GM of my concerns”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2023
“The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve lifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2023
“While driving on Highway 360 in Arlington, TX, the engine appeared to not change gears. It was between 3:30 to 4:00 PM, moderate traffic. I left HWY 360 and used the side lane. Later, the engine light came on. I checked the fluid levels and all were fine. This vehicle was last serviced in December 2022. The problem is unknown.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2023
“The side view mirrors will randomly tilt to the sky or ground. Whatever it tilts to also becomes the saved position. The dealership has replaced the seat memory module, battery cables, fuse block and driver mirror. The dealership was unable to correct the issue and says there is nothing else they can do. The problem seems to occur wen the vehicle has been driving for 2 or more hours then goes away if the vehicle has sat for a few days.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escalade by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The most complained-about area is engine (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2017 Cadillac Escalade problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 34,000 miles or less.
Does the 2017 Cadillac Escalade have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.