The most-reported Escalade ESV run is 1GYS4RKL9PR (2023 builds) with 6 complaints, 4.3× the typical run. Engine problems make up 42% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 2.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for Escalade ESV model years 2017–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac Escalade ESV has 351 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Escalade ESV complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GYS4RKL9PR•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| 1GYFK66847R•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1GYS4KKJ6HR•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1GYS4KKL9PR•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| 3GYFK66N14G•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 1GYS4MKL0MR•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 1GYFK66838R•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1GYFK66897R•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1GYFK66807R•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1GYS4JKL3MR•••••• | 2021 | — | — | |
| 1GYS4KKJ0KR•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1GYS4RKLXPR•••••• | 2023 | — | — |
Each of the other 339 Escalade ESV runs has 4 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 79 Escalade ESV VINs so far, most often 2021, 2026, 2023 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac Escalade ESV the gap between build years is 2.8×: a 2007 car draws 2.8 complaints per run, a 2006 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2025 | 13 | 12 | — | |
| 2024 | 22 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 89 | 55 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 56 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 74 | 53 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 22 | 18 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 33 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 15 | 14 | — | |
| 2017 | 38 | 28 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 14 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 8 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 11 | 10 | — | |
| 2010 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2008 | 16 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 34 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 12 | 10 | — | |
| 2004 | 17 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 11 | 9 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2007 at 2.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2006 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 42% of everything Cadillac Escalade ESV owners report: Engine, 251 of 499 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System | 3 | 4 | |
| Air Bags | 10 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 7 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Cadillac Escalade ESV; the 6 below cover build years 2018 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 25V274000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical | 2021–2024 |
| 26V304000 | Wheels:hub | 2025–2026 |
| 24V674000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp | 2023–2024 |
| 22V903000 | Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software | 2022–2023 |
| 22V617000 | Seat Belts:critical Fasteners | 2021–2022 |
| 18V673000 | Seat Belts:rear/other | 2018–2019 |
25V274000 was opened in 2025 on cars built from 2021: 4 years on the road before the recall.
The Escalade ESV against its rivals
The Escalade ESV draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Suburban 2.8 and the GMC Yukon XL 2.1. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade ESV | 499 | 351 | 5% | |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 6,296 | 2,231 | 7.7% | |
| GMC Yukon XL | 1,876 | 890 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 499 reports on the Cadillac Escalade ESV, 5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Cadillac Escalade ESV | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 499 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 25 (5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 7 (1.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Cadillac Escalade ESV share of that is 499 complaints over 351 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 499 NHTSA complaints from 351 Escalade ESV runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Escalade ESV production run has the most complaints?
1GYS4RKL9PR, a 2023 build, with 6 complaints. The typical Escalade ESV run has 1.4.
Which Escalade ESV years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 2.8 complaints per run and 2006 lightest at 1.
Does the Escalade ESV get more complaints than the Chevrolet Suburban?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the Escalade ESV against 2.8 for the Chevrolet Suburban.
How many Escalade ESV complaints involve a crash?
5% of 499 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 7 involved a fire.
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