Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Cadillac EscaladeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2014 Cadillac Escalade. Most complaints involve electrical system (8) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Feb 2021
Owner complaints
20
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2021NHTSA 21V054000

Electrical system

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Electrical systemReported Oct 1, 2014NHTSA 14V614000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system8
  2. Air bags5
  3. Engine3
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Steering2
  6. Suspension2
  7. Visibility1
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Power train1

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

Electrical system

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“While driving my 2016 Cadillac Escalade with a6.2L V8 engine on [XXX] near Bristow, Oklahoma at approximately 75 mph, the vehicle suddenly and completely lost power. Without any prior warning or unusual noises, the engine shut down, and I lost power to the dashboard and power steering. This caused the vehicle to decelerate rapidly, making it extremely difficult to control. I managed to steer the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway, narrowly avoiding a collision due to the loss of control. The vehicle could not be restarted. The affected components seem to include the engine, electrical system, and steering. These failures put my safety and the safety of others at significant risk due to the sudden and unexpected loss of vehicle control on a busy highway. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Cadillac dealership for inspection and repair. As of now, the dealership has been unable to determine the cause of the engine failure despite conducting multiple tests and inspections. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The dealership has confirmed the issue but has not identified the root cause. The vehicle remains at the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2024Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11591560

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes
“2014 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2022Air bagsODI 11461164

Engine

3 reports
“RADIATOR LEAK DISCOVERED. PROBLEM WITH CYCLING OF THE THERMOSTAT THAT CAUSES STRESS FRACTURES ON THE RADIATOR LEADING TO COOLANT LEAKS. GM BULLETINS ON THE 2014 AND 2015 MODELS. P11513A AND P11513F. THIS WAS LEAKING FOR A WHILE AND WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL MULTI POINT INSPECTION I REQUESTED BY THE SERVICE CENTER I USE FOR SERVICE. (B&B SERVICE CENTER, FARMINGTON NH. THIS WAS A KNOW ISSUE ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2021EngineODI 11398175
All 2014 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

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 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 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900571
Escalade ESV 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900571
Escalade AWD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150581
Escalade ESV AWD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
131814$4,450612
  • Escalade 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Escalade ESV 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Escalade AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Escalade ESV AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
24.6%
Overall
4 / 5
Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 8326Vehicle 8325
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

2014 Escalade questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac Escalade have?

2 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 2014 Cadillac Escalade problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (8), air bags (5), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Cadillac Escalade get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Cadillac Escalade at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Cadillac Escalade?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Cadillac Escalade 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026