2016 Cadillac Escalade problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade, filed between 2016-01-05 and 2026-08-15. The most common problem areas are the engine (31, 30%), power train (22, 21%) and electrical system (18, 17%). Owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Cadillac Escalade complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 31 | 30% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 22 | 21% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 17% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 16% | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Suspension | 15 | 14% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 7 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 6% | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 31 complaints
- 31 complaints of 104 (30%) name the engine.
- 4 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade covers this system.
Power train: 22 complaints
- 22 complaints of 104 (21%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 3 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade covers this system.
Electrical system: 18 complaints
- 18 complaints of 104 (17%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 4 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade covers this system.
Suspension: 15 complaints
- 15 complaints of 104 (14%) name the suspension — springs, shocks and struts, control arms and ball joints.
- 4 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 1 crash and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Cadillac Escalade; the recall, campaign 16V256000, says: “The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.”
Steering: 7 complaints
- 7 complaints of 104 (7%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 2 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade covers this system.
Air bags: 6 complaints
- 6 complaints of 104 (6%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- Owners reported 1 crash and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2016 Cadillac Escalade; the latest, campaign 17V437000, says: “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.”
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 10 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Cadillac Escalade recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac Escalade?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade's most common problem areas are the engine (31 of 104 complaints), power train (22 of 104 complaints) and electrical system (18 of 104 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have?
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade, including 4 reported crashes and 3 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade's problems?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.