2016 Cadillac Escalade: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Cadillac Escalade: 4 recalls, 89 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #16V256000 · 2016 · 3,738 vehicles
What's wrong: The front upper control arms May have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Why it matters: Inadequate welds May allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V645000 · 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles
What's wrong: The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump May decrease over time.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (31): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), warning light on (6), noise or vibration (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (17): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (8), noise or vibration (4).
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), stalls / loses power (5), warning light on (4).
- Other / unknown (14): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), noise or vibration (3).
The 2016 Cadillac Escalade has 89 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 28 Escalade model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 61). Complaints peaked in 2025 (14 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 38,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (98 complaints, 9 recalls), 2017 (51 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Regular |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
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 2016 Cadillac Escalade.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade. 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 2016 Cadillac Escalade problems?
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (31), transmission & drivetrain (17), electrical (15).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (6.2 L, Automatic 8-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Cadillac Escalade 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.