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Cadillac Escalade VIN Check

NHTSA holds 1,637 owner complaints on the Cadillac Escalade from 872 production runs; the worst run has 18, the typical one 1.9.

NHTSA complaint records · 1,637 complaints · 872 runs · 1999–2026 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Escalade run is 1GYFK63807R (2007 builds) with 18 complaints, 9.5× the typical run. Engine problems make up 27% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 56 recall campaigns for Escalade model years 1999–2026.

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 has 872 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Escalade complaint on file.

FIG.01·Cadillac Escalade — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1GYFK63807R••••••2007182—
1GYFK63827R••••••2007152—
1GYFK63857R••••••2007151—
1GYFK63897R••••••20071412
1GYFK63817R••••••2007132—
1GYFK63847R••••••200711——
1GYEK63N62R••••••2002112—
1GYFK63867R••••••200710——
1GYEK63N32R••••••2002101—
1GYFK63837R••••••2007101—
1GYFK63887R••••••20079—1
1GYEK63N82R••••••20028—1
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 860 Escalade runs has 8 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 252 Escalade VINs so far, most often 2021, 2026, 2025 builds; 6 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 the gap between build years is 5×: a 2007 car draws 5 complaints per run, a 2013 one 1.

FIG.02·Cadillac Escalade — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
202611515—
20251.31915—
20241.35139—
20232137673
20221.481584
20211.588603
20201.213112
20191.324191
20181.221181
20171.347352
20161.585552
20151.393704
20141.118173
201311919—
20121.121192
20111.35140—
20101.23629—
20091.353421
20083.2136435
200752214412
ROWS 20·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2007 at 5 complaints per run; lightest is 2013 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 27% of everything Cadillac Escalade owners report: Engine, 465 of 1,637 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Cadillac Escalade — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine46567
Air Bags337352
Electrical System278828
Power Train18351
Service Brakes176192
Unknown Or Other12153
Fuel/propulsion System7524
Suspension672—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 56 recall campaigns on the Cadillac Escalade; the 6 below cover build years 1999 to 2024. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Cadillac Escalade — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
06E043000Fuel System, Gasoline1999–2005
21V054000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2010–2014
21V050000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2007–2011
25V274000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical2021–2024
07E106000Wheels:hub2002–2005
16V651000Air Bags:frontal2015–2017
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

How serious were they

Of the 1,637 reports on the Cadillac Escalade, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Cadillac Escalade — complaint severity
OutcomeCadillac EscaladeAll vehicles
Complaints filed1,6371,115,966
Involved a crash80 (4.9%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire45 (2.7%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported11258,013
Deaths reported102,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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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 share of that is 1,637 complaints over 872 runs, 0.15% of everything on record.

Everything on the Cadillac Escalade
Recalls129 campaignsFuel economy23 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems2,020 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices2,349 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1999–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Cadillac Escalade VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,637 NHTSA complaints from 872 Escalade runs and 56 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Escalade production run has the most complaints?

1GYFK63807R, a 2007 build, with 18 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Escalade run has 1.9.

Which Escalade years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 5 complaints per run and 2013 lightest at 1.

How many Escalade complaints involve a crash?

4.9% of 1,637 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 45 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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