VehicleVerdict

1999 Cadillac Escalade problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Cadillac Escalade is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 46 owner complaints run below the Escalade median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (8), suspension (7), and seats (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

46

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Escalade years?

See all Escalade years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Cadillac Escalade problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes817%
Suspension715%
Tires & Wheels511%
Seats511%
Transmission37%
Electrical System37%
Engine37%
Fuel System37%
Speed Control24%
Steering24%
Seat Belts24%
Body & Structure12%
Lighting12%
Airbags12%

Does the 1999 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

00V153000Fuel SystemJune 7, 2000 · 4,300 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A FLOOR MOUNTED ROSEN VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." DUE TO THE METHOD OF INSTALLATION OF THE VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CENTER BY THE INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE FUEL SPILLAGE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

IF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IS INSTALLED ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE), NO CORRECTION IS REQUIRED. IF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IS INSTALLED ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE (DRIVER SIDE), THE DEALER WILL REMOVE AND REINSTALL THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER WITH A REVISED ATTACHMENT BRACKET. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN LINE.

00V122000Seat BeltsApril 27, 2000 · 279,132 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MAY NOT MEET THE NECK EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I HAVE 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE WITH ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS IS DUE TO CORROSION BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND WHEEL HUB HOUSING. GM REPLACED MANY OF THESE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS IN CANADA. WELL I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, WITH SALTED ROADS. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WENT TO THE DEALER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 13, 2010 · crash

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT PULLED TO LEFT UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CHARATERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 27, 1999

WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BY MECHANIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · September 2, 2014 · crash

DUE TO DESIGN AND MOUNTING CONNECTION, BATTERY IS DISCONNECTING, THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE BATTERY TO EXPLODE, ON ONE OCCASION VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING, ON ANOTHER OCCASION THIS CAUSED BATTERY TO NOT HOLD CHARGES. CONSUMER STATES WHEN RETURNING FROM TRIPS, THE BATTERY IS DEAD THE NEXT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

1999 Cadillac Escalade — common questions

Is the 1999 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

It is close to typical for the Escalade: 46 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Escalade problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (8 complaints), suspension (7 complaints), seats (5 complaints).

Does the 1999 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Cadillac Escalade. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Cadillac Escalade under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Escalade years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escalade years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2023, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2000, 2009, 2021, 2024, 2011, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2013. The cleanest record among Escalade years belongs to 2001.

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.