MotorDeets

2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv: 6 recalls, 8 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.

6vehicle recalls
8owner complaints
1mention a crash
17best combined mpg
2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv
Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Airbags Vehicle recall #14V259000 · 2014 · 2,838 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

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

The fix: 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…

Airbags Vehicle recall #14V624000 · 2014 · 1,046 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

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

The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel top cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014.

Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #16V651000 · 2016 · 3,640,162 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #17V437000 · 2017 · 40,683 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V289000 · 2026 · 66 vehicles

What's wrong: A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case May cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

Why it matters: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #26V329000 · 2026 · 5,014 vehicles

What's wrong: The front-driver air bag inflator May rupture during deployment.

Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Electrical2
Other / unknown2
Engine2
Speed control / throttle1
Fuel & propulsion1
Body & structure1
Visibility/Wiper1
Stability control1

What owners describe

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv has 8 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 24 Escalade Esv model years for complaints (well below the 22 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (0 complaints, 2 recalls), 2016 (15 complaints, 3 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
6.2 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive152117Regular
6.2 L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel Drive152217Regular
6.2 L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spd4-Wheel Drive142017Regular
6.2 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive142016Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

Does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv problems?

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (2), other / unknown (2), engine (2).

What gas mileage does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv get?

EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (6.2 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Escalade Esv years

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