CadillacEscalade2026Overview/cadillac/escalade/2026/base/

2026 Cadillac Escalade

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Escalade.

Transmission Automatic 10-spd

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. In the current reliability record it has generated 10 owner complaints and 3 recalls, with engine-related issues drawing the most attention. Against the model's full 1999–2026 complaint history—where 2007 peaked at 285 complaints and 2001 bottomed at 3—the 2026 model lands near the quieter end of the spectrum, suggesting a relatively uneventful early cycle so far.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy15/19/17 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 10-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length224.4 in
Overall width82.3 in
Overall height76 in
Wheelbase136.2 in
Curb weight5809 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 19 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escalade of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.50 sec — 2026 IQ Premium Sport (1000E4)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2026IQ Premium Sport (1000E4) Elec 205-kWh4.50 sec13.00 sec750 hpAWD
2025IQ Sport 2 (1000E4) Elec 205-kWh4.50 sec13.00 sec750 hpAWD
2025IQ Sport 2 (1000E4) Elec 205-kWh4.60 sec13.00 sec750 hpAWD
2025Sport Platinum 600 6.2L V86.20 sec14.60 sec420 hp4WD
2023V 6.2L Supercharger V84.30 sec12.70 sec682 hp4WD
2023V 6.2L Supercharger V84.40 sec12.70 sec682 hp4WD
2023V 6.2L Supercharger V84.70 sec13.10 sec682 hp4WD
2022Sport Platinum 6.2L V86.00 sec14.50 sec420 hp4WD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade recorded 10 consumer complaints, which is lower than the 14 complaints in 2025 and among the lowest totals seen since the early 2000s, continuing a general downward trend from the higher complaint years of 2007‑2008 and the 20212023 spike. Recall activity for 2026 stands at three recalls, markedly below the 12‑recall peak in 2021 and consistent with the declining recall counts observed from 2022 onward. No federal investigations were opened for the 2026 model year, contrasting with the several investigations logged in 2021‑2024. The complaint and recall figures for 2026 place it at the tail end of a improving reliability arc for this generation, suggesting fewer reported issues than most recent model years. Consequently, based solely on the federal record, the 2026 Escalade appears to be a favorable year to consider for a used purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
184
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Engine6
Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Service Brakes,Engine1
Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

26V114000Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other ManualReported 26/02/2026

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ… Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16…

26V289000Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)Reported 07/05/2026

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 184 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT6481C2026-07-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Bulletin was created to assist the technician to a issue where the…
PIT6146A2026-07-08Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates on a software anomaly for a DTC that sets for…
PIT6288J2026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with a service door latch system…
PIT6476C2026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates an issue with a Service Brake system message…
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escalade. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2026 Escalade have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escalade get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined mpg.