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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

1999 Cadillac EscaladeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Escalade. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (7) and seats (6). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Oct 2007
Owner complaints
44
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$4,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Oct 24, 2007NHTSA 07E088000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 19, 2006NHTSA 06E043000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 23, 2006NHTSA 06E026000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1999 – Jan 2016
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  2. Seats6
  3. Suspension6
  4. Engine and engine cooling4
  5. Tires4
  6. Power train4
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Electrical system3
  9. Steering2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escalade model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199944
200083
2002145
2003112
2004103
200562
200624
2007286
2008167
200961
201043
201165
201226
201319
201420
2015106
2016104
201789
201837
201959
202036
2021170
2022146
2023237
202475
202540
202656
20271
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

7 reports1 crash
“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 TODAY AND ASKED THEM TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST, AND THEIR ANSWER WAS NO. NOW I HAVE HIT MY GARAGE DOOR TWICE, AND THE BACK OF MY GARAGE WALL ONCE. MY FATHER HAS A 2000 YUKON DENALI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO REAL, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM... *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10349202

Seats

6 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 WAS 155,409.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2014SeatsCrash reportedODI 10639046

Suspension

6 reports
“WE PURCHASED A 99 ESCALADE CADILLAC UNDER A MISLEADING ASSUMPTION OF CONDITION OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY HAD SEVERE VIBRATION IN STEERING AND SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 60 - 85 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE GM DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS. 12+ SETS OF TIRES WERE REPLACED IN JUST ONE DAY. THERE FINAL STATEMENT WAS THAT ALL THE GOODYEAR TIRES DESIGNED FOR THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALIGN UP. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BODY ELECTRICAL WAS REPAIRED. THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WAS REPAIRED. DOOR PANELS (LEFT & RIGHT) WERE REPLACED. THE FORWARD SEATS, CONSOLE & DASH WAS REPLACED. BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND ARE CURRENTLY BAD. MAJOR VIBRATION AND SHAKING FROM DAY ONE MAY, 1, 2001. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES DURING HIGH RATE OF SPEEDS. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS UNSAFE. GMC HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY OUR ATTOURNEYS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH MS [XXX], GM ATTOURNEY. THE CBBB HAS FILED 2 CASES AGAINST GM RESULTING WITH STILL NO ANSWERS OR FAIR SETTLEMENTS. THE BRAKES, TIRES, SUSPENSION AND UNKNOWN PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2001Suspension, TiresODI 745420
All 1999 Escalade problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escalade 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111513$4,800684
  • Escalade 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Cadillac Escalade as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 3954
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Escalade questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Escalade have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Cadillac Escalade problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (7), seats (6), suspension (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Cadillac Escalade get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Cadillac Escalade at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026