Is the 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE reliable?

The 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE has 76 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE?

Top problems: ENGINE (22 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (11 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE?

The 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE gets 17 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2824. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Cadillac ESCALADE: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE is approximately $1,993/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Cadillac ESCALADE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE has 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 53. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: brake and gas pedals moved on their own without being commanded. happened several times, vehicle not moving at the time. took to the dealer and they observed it. could not find the problem, sent me away. happened again and dealer ordered a sensor to be installed when it comes in.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

22 complaints

29%

• BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
• ENGINE CEASED RUNNING AT 55 MPH. CHAIN OF FAILURES- ENGINE VALVE STEM FRACTURED (CYLINDER # 2), VALVE DROPPED INTO CYLINDER, PISTON STRUCK VALVE, VALVE DEFORMED TO CYLINDER HEAD, ENGINE CEASED PROPERLY DETONATE FUEL COMPLETELY, MULTIPLE CODES, ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ADVANCED SIGNAL GIVEN TO DRIVE
• IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES , WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOST STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON... THE ENGINE RESTARTED IN ABOUT 5 SECONDS... I CONTACTED CADILLAC MAIN OFFICE LAWANDA 855-880-1400 EX 5911833 AND SENT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE

Based on 38 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 16K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM06/09/2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Risk: 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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,824

Per month

$235

Per mile

23.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,993

Full coverage / month

$166

Liability only / year

$717

vs US avg

+19%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1993

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2017 ESCALADE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 76 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DALE EARNHARDT JR. BUICK/GMC (1850 CAPITAL CIR NE, TALL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, TURNING THE WHEEL HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE MESSAGE WILL FLASH "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION LOCKS, THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SEC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)