Cadillac

Escalade ESV

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2010 to 2015

Includes Escalade ESV 2WD, Escalade ESV 4WD and Escalade ESV AWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 13 Escalade ESV trims All Cadillac cars

The verdict

Worst year: 2015. complaints: 102, above this model's typical 74; recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Cadillac Escalade ESV
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	1Gas	16	$3,900	3	42	1 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 47%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%, ENGINE 6%
complaints: 42, about 2.2x this model's typical 19 recalls: 3, below this model's typical 4 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better.
2011	2Gas	15	$4,175	5	62	1 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 55%, STRUCTURE 10%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7%
complaints: 62, about 1.7x this model's typical 37 recalls: 5, above this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 34 of 100, where higher is better.
2012	2Gas	15	$4,175	3	23	1 (1 open)	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%, ENGINE 11%, AIR BAGS 8%
complaints: 23, below this model's typical 37 recalls: 3, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2013	2Gas	15	$4,175	4	2	1 (1 open)	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, ENGINE 33%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 33%
complaints: 2, below this model's typical 37 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 76 of 100, where higher is better.
2014	2Gas	15	$4,175	2	0	1 (1 open)	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 37 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.
2015	4Gas	17	$3,650	6	102	1	ENGINE 18%, POWER TRAIN 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 102, above this model's typical 74 recalls: 6, about 1.5x this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 NHTSA advised parking the 2015 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 15 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 16 to 2015: 17

Owner complaints2010: 42 to 2015: 102

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Cadillac Escalade ESV to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.