The Lemon Index
201520174th generation
41 owner complaints, first 3 years 17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Lincoln Navigator2016 Volvo XC90 1342016 Lincoln MKX 193
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2016 Cadillac Escalade
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 2,000–49,000 miles (3,200–79,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,600 and 47,000 miles (9,000–75,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V645000 (brakes), 17V437000 (airbags) and 16V651000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 1826 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 41 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 46K miles (9K to 75K km) on the car (34 of all 41 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Transmission started slipping at 50k miles. Since I am in the transportation service industry, I know many people that have transmission issues on escalades.
2016 Cadillac Escalade owner · NHTSA complaint 11175833
More owner reports
Took car in feb 2019 to repair torque converter. Was replaced and now is back to shaking at random times. This should be a recall as Cadillac has numerous problems with powertrain on escalades from 2015-17.
NHTSA complaint 11205763
This vehicle is about to shake me out of it. The sun roof even shakes at all speeds and at all time. A $50.000.00 piece of junk. I'm embarrassed to let someone ride with me. It's unsafe!!!
NHTSA complaint 11144598
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 1826 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- Some customers may comment about a rough idle and/or vibration at idle in Drive
- This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Brakes · recall issued 2019
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
Show all 4 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac Escalade recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake vacuum pump failure2018–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 6.2L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac Escalade year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2016" title="Cadillac Escalade reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-escalade/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 104; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac Escalade year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2016 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (34%), suspension (22%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have?
4 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2016 Cadillac Escalade problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,600 and 47,000 miles (9,000–75,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 34% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have?
6.2L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac Escalade year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works