VehicleVerdict

2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 47 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Escalade ESV year — the 2017 model ranks #6 of 24 Escalade ESV years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

47

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Escalade ESV years?

Escalade ESV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted107 complaints2003: 13 complaints2004: 28 complaints2005: 19 complaints2006: 5 complaints2007: 83 complaints2008: 19 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 18 complaints2012: 5 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 13 complaints2016: 20 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 22 complaints2019: 49 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 88 complaints2022: 79 complaints2023: 107 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 16 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Escalade ESV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escalade ESV years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1226%
Engine817%
Transmission817%
Other49%
Electrical System36%
Tires & Wheels24%
Body & Structure24%
Suspension24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Driver Assistance12%
Lighting12%
Seats12%
Steering12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A POLICE OFFICER ABRUPTLY MADE A LEFT TURN CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION CRASH OF FOUR VEHICLES. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 18, 2017 · crash

“The engine is a 8 cylinder 6.2 liter. It starts out using 8 cylinders and progressively drops to 4 at highway speeds. The lifter failed, seized and gouged and ruined the block and camshaft. This preventable repair necessitated an entirely new engine. This happens to thousands of GM vehicles of a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 7, 2025

“I parked my 2017 Cadillac in a parking spot put the car in park shut it off and put the brake on went in side the pharmacyand my daughter was in the passenger seat with the windows downwind the car went Forward and hit a pole then rolled back and wrecked in the two cars with the car shut off in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 8, 2021 · crash

“EVERY TIME THAT I AXELARATE, THERE'S A FUNNY NOISE THAT I'M HEARING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE THAT BATTERED MY EARS AND THE NOISE KEPT ON GOING LOUDER AS I AXELARATE. EVEN MORE NOISE ON THE HIGHWAYS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 20, 2019

“IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BOTTOM OF THE KEY FOB WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND CAUSE THE MIRRORS TO FOLD. THIS FEATURE SHOULD BE DISABLED AT THE VERY LEAST WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY I ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE KEYFOB WHILE IT WAS IN MY POCKET AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 30, 2019

2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV — common questions

Is the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 47 complaints put the 2017 model at #6 of 24 Escalade ESV years. It is one of the Escalade ESV years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Escalade ESV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (12 complaints), engine (8 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac Escalade ESV years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escalade ESV years to avoid are 2023, 2021, 2007, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2024, 2008, 2011, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Escalade ESV years belongs to 2006.

How safe is the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.