AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.
Campaign 26V289000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.govOverview
Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and electrical categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2,064 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 2 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 4 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 5 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 7 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 8 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine327.3%
- Driver assistance218.2%
- Electrical218.2%
- Body & structure19.1%
- Fuel system19.1%
- Powertrain (other)19.1%
- Visibility19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPOWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the variable valve timing, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 89,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11658187
- Incident
- Apr 18, 2025
- Mileage
- 89,000 mi
CAR AT 56000 MILES WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. REASON WAS THE CHASSIS CONTROL,MODULE WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND WAS LEFT EXPOSED ALLOWING SNOW TO CORRODE THE MODULE. CADILLAC REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THAT INCLUDED $650 IN DIAGNOSTIC TIME
- NHTSA ID
- 11220368
- Incident
- Apr 25, 2019
- Mileage
- 57,213 mi
EXHAUST GAS ENTERS CABIN WHENEVER STATIONARY. EVEN AT BRIEF TRAFFIC SIGNALS, FUMES QUICKLY ENTER VEHICLE. CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD.
- NHTSA ID
- 11151544
- Incident
- Nov 13, 2018
- Mileage
- 67,000 mi
MY 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 50+ DAYS SINCE PURCHASING IN 2015 FOR DEFECTIVE BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, TRIM, TECHNOLOGY, CHASSIS, ELECTRICAL, AND HVAC. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY DON'T WANT TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP FOR PROBLEMS AND IT IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE OPERATED ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. NUMEROUS PARTS OF MY TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED/REPROGRAMMED/REBUILT BEFORE DUE TO DEFECTS IN DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY. THE TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES, JERKS AND SHUTTERS WHEN DRIVING, POPS AND CREAKS WHEN STOPPED AND CLUNKS WHEN LAUNCHING FROM STOP OR ROLLING STOP. THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE CAR TO TAKE OFF IN 4TH GEAR RATHER THAN IN 1ST GEAR WHICH MEANS THE CAR FEELS AS IF THERE IS NO POWER TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND FEELS AS IF IT IS BROKEN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 14 TIMES AND GM NOW DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAS VERIFIED THE CONCERN AND DOCUMENTED IT. I FEEL THAT GM IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE SAFE VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROAD. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY. I HAVE ALREADY PUT GM ON NOTICE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES THAT PLAGUE 2015 FULL SIZE GM SUV OWNERS. THERE ARE A LOT OF US OUT THERE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH.
- NHTSA ID
- 11075968
- Incident
- Feb 14, 2018
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER FRACTURED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP AND IMPAIRED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CADILLAC OF MAHWAH, NJ) WHO STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER SEVEN WEEKS WHEN THE PART WAS LOCATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIR PART WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,500.
- NHTSA ID
- 11005298
- Incident
- Mar 25, 2016
- Mileage
- 7,500 mi
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE WHERE THE LOWER ANCHORS (LATCH) FOR THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT ARE ASYMMETRIC - WITH THE INBOARD ANCHOR BEING BOTH LOWER, AND PROTRUDING FARTHER OUT, THAN THE INBOARD LOWER ANCHOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS 2 CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS IN THE 2ND ROW - BOTH FEATURE LOWER ANCHORS (LATCH). A PICTURE OF THE 2ND ROW DRIVER'S SEAT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO SHOW THAT THESE LOWER ANCHORS ARE SYMMETRICAL AS THEY SHOULD BE. THE PICTURE OF THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT SHOWS THESE LOWER ANCHORS TO BE ASYMMETRICAL. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. IN THE PAST THE CLEK FOONF CHILD RESTRAINT WAS ATTACHED USING RIGID LATCH IN THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10909660
- Incident
- Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ACTIVATED, THE HEAT INDEPENDENTLY TURNED ALL THE WAY UP IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEAT CAUSED ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS TO PASS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THAT THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10790680
- Incident
- Sep 7, 2015
- Mileage
- 6,000 mi
ACCELERATION FOR NO REASON. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I WAS NEARING THE EDGE OF THE CURB ON MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, STOPPED THE CAR, AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE SO I COULD MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD TO AVOID HITTING THE CURB WHILE BACKING OUT . ONCE I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE CAR WENT TO FULL ACCELERATION FOR NO REASON AND HIT A POLE AT FULL ACCELERATION APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET AWAY.
- NHTSA ID
- 10716407
- Incident
- May 13, 2015
- Mileage
- 9,170 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights causing IPC warning messages and MIL along with several low speed lan DTCs.
This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 42.7 |
| 2024 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 60.9 |
| 2023 | 73 | 4 | 3 | 66.3 |
| 2022 | 52 | 4 | 3 | 63.9 |
| 2021 | 65 | 10 | 4 | 71.6 |
| 2020 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 2019 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 56.2 |
| 2017 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2016 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2015Viewing | 8 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 2014 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2011 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 59.3 |
| 2010 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2009 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 2008 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 55.7 |
| 2007 | 39 | 4 | 3 | 58.8 |
| 2006 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 41.3 |
| 2004 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 42.7 |
| 2003 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 36.5 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.