1999 Cadillac Escalade
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 39 |
| 2000 | 71 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 115 |
| 2003 | 81 |
| 2004 | 69 |
| 2005 | 43 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 230 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 49 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 96 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 82 |
| 2023 | 133 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 29 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
21% of complaints: service brakes — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH15% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and upper arm.
Show complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT PULLED TO LEFT UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CHARATERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990902
13% of complaints: seats — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing seat heater/cooler.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140925
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER. SHE ALSO WAS BURNED ON THE BACK OF HER LEGS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100111
WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING THE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20050304
10% of complaints: tires — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.
8% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
Show complaint excerpts
WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT TORE THOUGH THE OIL PAN/TRANSMISSION & ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HAD NO POWER OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990915
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A FLOOR MOUNTED ROSEN VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." DUE TO TH
Remedy: IF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IS INSTALLED ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE), NO CORRECTION IS REQUIRED. IF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IS INSTALLED ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE (DRIVER SIDE), THE DEALER W
Campaign 00V153000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.
Campaign 00V122000 — check if this car was fixed
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
THROTTLE STICKING
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
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 S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 MANUFACTURE
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
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. TH
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Cadillac Escalade — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 00V153000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V122000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Cadillac Escalade is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Cadillac Escalade have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.