The Cadillac Escalade is a luxury SUV that has been on the market for over two decades. Known for its spacious interior, cutting-edge technology, and eye-catching design, the Escalade has been popular among SUV enthusiasts who value reliability, comfort, and performance. However, like all vehicles, the Cadillac Escalade is not without its issues. Some model years have been plagued with more maintenance issues than others, causing some owners to experience frustration and added costs.

Whether you’re a seasoned Cadillac owner or a first-time buyer, it’s important to understand the maintenance issues that have impacted specific model years and carefully consider your options before purchasing. So what are the worst used Cadillac Escalade model years to avoid when car shopping?

1. The 2007 Cadillac Escalade has some of the most prominent maintenance issues

The 2007 Cadillac Escalade, known for its luxury and spaciousness, has faced several prominent maintenance issues throughout its lifespan. According to CarComplaints, one of the most reported overall problems with the 2007 Escalade is electrical fires, with an average repair cost of $2,900 and an average mileage of 106,000 miles. The Stabilitrak Light On issue is also common in the 2007 Escalade, with an average price to fix of $1,800 and an average mileage of 75,000 miles.

Another issue faced by 2007 Escalade owners is the “Died While Driving” issue, with an average cost to fix of $900 and an average mileage of 194,000 miles. It’s worth noting that while the 2007 Escalade has faced these maintenance issues, they are not representative of the brand as a whole, and many Escalade owners have reported reliable, trouble-free experiences with their vehicles.

2. The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has expensive maintenance issues

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade has had some reported issues, with the most expensive problem being a loud tapping noise. This issue can be frustrating for drivers, as the tapping noise is often loud and persistent. In many cases, the cause of the noise is a faulty lifter, which can be a costly repair with an average cost of $5,800. Many drivers have reported that the noise begins to occur at around 87,000 miles, making it an issue that is likely to arise at relatively low mileage.

Another problem drivers of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade have reported is a leaky air conditioning condenser. This issue can be particularly frustrating in warm weather, as a leaky condenser can cause the air conditioning to stop working. The average cost to fix a leaking air conditioning condenser is around $1,800 and usually occurs at around 88,000 miles.

Additionally, some owners reported bumps, shakes, and jerks, although there is no information available on the average cost of repair. The average mileage at which this issue is likely to occur is around 46,000 miles. This information should be taken into consideration when looking into purchasing a 2015 Cadillac Escalade.

3. The 2016 Cadillac Escalade also has common problems

The 2016 Cadillac Escalade has several reported problems, with transmission failure being one of the most significant. Transmission failure typically occurs at around 2,000 miles and is characterized by the vehicle suddenly losing power, struggling to shift gears, or simply not moving. While the cost to repair this issue can vary, it is often quite substantial and can leave drivers feeling frustrated and concerned about their vehicle’s reliability.

Some owners reported that hot air was blowing out of the A/C vents, even when the system was set to cool. The average cost to fix this problem is estimated to be around $1,200, with an average mileage of 86,000 miles. Poor radio reception was also another common problem reported by some Escalade owners. Unfortunately, there is no average cost, but it happens at a mileage of 5,000 miles.