Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.1× usual
1 serious complaints of 1, the most about fuel system (1); 0.1× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2013 vehicles. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
Fixes and extended coverage
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
1 owner complaint · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 14 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual
14 serious complaints of 21, the most about air bags (3) and structure (3); 1.0× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
Fixes and extended coverage
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
21 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 14 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
2011AVOIDSerious complaints 3.2× usual, mostly air bags and structure Extended coverage
46 serious complaints of 52, the most about air bags (37) and structure (3); 3.2× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 4 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 cadillac escalade. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, May 2018
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The throttle position sensor may cause the engine to run rough and cause the malfunction indicator lamp and/or and Engine Reduced Power message to illuminate. 11273A - Special Coverage (additional population added). (G-169310, Jun 2013)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
- Repair program Normal engine vibration while in active fuel management (afm) mode may cause the transmission dipstick tube to fatigue and fracture. Dealers are to inspect the transmission dipstick tube for a fracture and replace it if necessary. (12138, Oct 2012)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
52 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 14 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6.2L 8-cyl | AWD | 14 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system (1) | — |
| 2012 | 6.2L 8-cyl | AWD | 14 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 21 | Electrical system (9) | — |
| 2011 | 6.2L 8-cyl | AWD | 14 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 52 | Air bags (37) | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | Not rated | 3 | 39 | Air bags (21) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Trim-by-trim features for Cadillac aren't in our data yet: so far we have them for BMW, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota, and more brands are on the way.
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Cadillac Escalade EXT SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 1 |
| 2012 | Cadillac Escalade EXT SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 21 |
| 2011 | Cadillac Escalade EXT SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 52 |
| 2010 | Cadillac Escalade EXT w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 39 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Escalade Ext AWD | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L | 14 |
| 2012 | Escalade Ext AWD | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L | 14 |
| 2011 | Escalade Ext AWD | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L | 14 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.