Every 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 17V437000
Oct 7, 2017Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. 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. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Full recall details for 17V437000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V651000
Aug 9, 2016Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Full recall details for 16V651000 →Suspension · NHTSA 16V256000
Apr 28, 2016Suspension:Front:Control ArmDo not drive
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
- Risk
- Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Full recall details for 16V256000 →
2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV, reporting 2 crashes, 2 injuries. Cadillac has issued at least 1,524 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Suspension7
- Power Train5
- Electrical System3
- Unknown Or Other3
- Service Brakes1
- Wheels1
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (562)
- Electrical System (314)
- Power Train (164)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (160)
- Engine (154)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (96)
Read Cadillac Escalade ESV owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“06/14/2019 I WAS DRIVING MY CADILLAC TO ESCALATE ESV TRAVELING FROM BALTIMORE TO WASHINGTON DC 95 SOUTH BAND. 12:04 PM MY VEHICLE FLIP OVER. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THAT LEFT THE REAR WHEEL OF THE CAR; COME OUT OF THE VEHICLE.”
2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESVJun 19, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11221207
Crash
“VACUUM PUMP DETERIORATION OR FAILURE CAUSED REDUCED STOPPING OF VEHICLE. BACKED UP VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND COULD NOT STOP UNTIL I PUMPED BRAKE PETAL SEVERAL TIMES. AND FINALLY STOPPED. PLACED VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND SET HAND BRAKE. I CHECKED ACCELERATOR AND STOP PETALS FOR OBSTRUCTION AND FOUND NONE.”
2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESVJun 13, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11219769
“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle and the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.”
2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESVMay 27, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11663079
“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure recurred.”
2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESVApr 28, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11519461
“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home.”
2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESVApr 13, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11516890
Check your Escalade ESV by VIN
Not every 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Cadillac dealer.
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