How Long Do Cadillac Escalades Last?

The Escalade is one of General Motors’s fastest-selling full-size SUVs. It has been around since 1999 and has impressed owners and reviewers alike for more than two decades.

Did you know that a pickup truck variant was offered from 2002 to 2013, called the Escalade EXT? Well, it did exist and was pretty good.

One question that many potential buyers ask about this SUV is, how long do Cadillac Escalades last?

You can expect it to last you for roughly 200000 miles. That is lesser than what I was expecting, but it still is a number large enough to keep you satisfied for years to come.

You may click on the back button and continue with your research.

But you will be missing out on a lot of important information that will help you decide whether the Cadillac Escalade is worth your consideration.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Cadillac Escalade?

As was briefly stated in the introduction, the lifespan of the Cadillac Escalade is around 200000 miles.

Because this is a full-size SUV, you may be disappointed with this number.

Although there is no denying that it is less, you must not forget that it will be able to last you for a maximum of thirteen years.

Now, that is a lot of time. As the Cadillac Escalade’s longevity depends on the quality of its parts, you should be aware of the quality of the hardware used.

There is a dedicated section in this article that will cover their lifespan. So, I suggest sticking around to find out more.

Does Cadillac Escalade Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

This is one of the most awaited sections of the article. I will be pitting three of Escalade’s competitors with it, which will help establish which one is superior.

From reliability to longevity and the number of complaints, everything will be covered over here. Let’s get started!

1. Cadillac Escalade Vs. BMW X7

The first full-size SUV that I will be comparing to the Cadillac Escalade is the X7 from BMW. This is a solid SUV and has been around since 2018 only.

Let’s see if it is good as the Escalade or if it’s just for the looks.

• The first thing that I will be talking about is the number of complaints. The Cadillac Escalade has 93 complaints, which is an excellent number.
• But the BMW X7 demolishes that with only four complaints. This data has been taken from CarComplaints.com. So, the BMW X7 is the clear winner here.
• Next up, I will be comparing the reliability of these SUVs. The competition was extremely close in this round, but the Cadillac Escalade took the lead.
• According to JDPower, the reliability of the Cadillac Escalade is a respectable 82 out of a 100, while the BMW X7 is just behind at 81. So, it is a win for the Escalade here.
• The BMX X7 takes the lead once again in this final round. It can last longer and has an expected lifespan of around 250000 miles, translating to three more years of usage.
• That is a considerable difference and means that the BMW X7 is a better choice if this is the deciding factor.

Although the Cadillac Escalade is an excellent SUV, which is more reliable, there are too many perks of the BMW X7, such as a longer lifespan and fewer complaints.

This is why I recommend that you go for the BMW X7 as your daily driver.

2. Cadillac Escalade Vs. Lincoln Navigator

The next vehicle up on this list is the Lincoln Navigator.

This is another excellent SUV that is highly regarded. Although its looks are not that dashing, maybe it makes up in the reliability section.

• Once again, the competition for which one has fewer complaints was pretty close. But this time, the Cadillac Escalade took the lead over the Lincoln Navigator.
• The latter has 111 complaints, which is not a lot. But it did come out three decades later than the Cadillac Escalade.
• I compared the 2020 models of these SUVs, and the Cadillac Escalade has taken the lead once again.
• This model has earned a reliability rating of 84 out of 100, which is great. On the other hand, the Lincoln Navigator has a rating of 83, which is only one point off.
• Finally, I will be talking about longevity. The Lincoln Navigator can last just as long as the Cadillac Escalade, which means it, will be able to touch the 200000-mile mark easily.
• This means you will be able to drive it for more than a decade. This means this round is a draw.

The Lincoln Navigator is an excellent alternative to the Cadillac Escalade. It comes pretty close but just falls short of beating it.

Although you cannot go wrong with either one, I suggest opting for the Escalade.

3. Cadillac Escalade Vs. GMC Yukon

The final SUV that I will be putting up against the Cadillac Escalade is the GMC Yukon.

It is a full-size SUV priced at the level of luxurious SUVs. The recent models are the ones that make the price tag worth it.

Let’s see if the reliability is just as good.

• The GMC Yukon is an SUV that has been complained about a lot.
• It has 645 complaints about the course of its lifespan, which is a lot when you compare it to the Cadillac Escalade. So, Cadillac’s offering has easily taken the lead in this round.
• Once again, the Cadillac Escalade is the more reliable SUV of the two. The GMC Yukon has the same reliability as the BMW X7, with the number being 81.
• It is just one point less than the Cadillac Escalade’s score. Although this difference is negligible, the Escalade is still the winner.
• Although the Cadillac Escalade has an expected lifespan of a maximum of 200000 miles, that is the lowest number for the GMC Yukon.
• This means that it will touch this number easily and can go for a lot longer. So, it is a clear win for the GMC Yukon in this round.

Although the GMC Yukon is another excellent SUV, it cannot beat the Cadillac Escalade.

If you have to choose between the two, I advise you to settle for the Cadillac. But you will not regret your decision if you opt for the Yukon either.

Related: How Many Miles Will A GMC Yukon Last?

Life Expectancy Of Cadillac Escalade Car Parts

As I promised, a dedicated section of the article will discuss the lifespan of the individual hardware that is present in the Cadillac Escalade.

Well, this is that section! I recommend reading through it in its entirety, as the information here is vital.

Average Lifespan Of Cadillac Escalade Brake Pads

Brake pads are essential for the brakes to function. They allow the vehicle to be slowed down whenever brakes are applied.

There is always an end to everything, and in the case of the brake pads of the Cadillac Escalade, that number is between 30000 and 40000 miles.

Before you ask, yes, this is lesser than what can be achieved by other OEM brake pads on the market.

But you should not forget that they will still last you anywhere from two to three years if you drive at the average American rate of 15000 miles every year.

Average Lifespan Of Cadillac Escalade Battery

Despite its big size, the battery used in the Cadillac Escalade is nothing out of the ordinary. It is a simple one that has been designed to last anywhere from three to five years.

This is on par with other OEM batteries on the market. So, you can expect to change the battery once every 45000 to 60000 miles. That is pretty good, in my opinion.

In case of replacements, which will inevitably be needed, I would suggest going the AGM route.

The Escalade will definitely benefit from it. It does cost more but trust me when I say that investment is worth it.

Average Lifespan Of Cadillac Escalade Tires

The tires on the Cadillac Escalade have been designed to last for 50,000 miles. This is normal for other vehicles too, but I am impressed because of the fact that this is a full-size SUV.

Heavier vehicles tend to make the tires wear out sooner. Well, that is certainly not the case with the Cadillac Escalade.

In the case of replacement tires for the Escalade, you should never buy ones that are too cheap. They have a tendency to fail before time.

There have been reports of poor quality tires failing at 10,000 mile mark. So, you should make your purchase carefully.

Average Lifespan Of Cadillac Escalade Transmission

It is rare to see a transmission that lasts as long as the vehicle itself. In the case of the Cadillac Escalade, the transmission will be able to last between 150000 and 200000 miles.

That is pretty good. So, you will not have to worry about the system failing you during the course of the SUV’s lifespan.

If the transmission of the Escalade fails, then I have some unfortunate news for you. It can be repaired, but the cost will be a lot.

You can expect it to be more than $2000. That is a lot but replacing or repairing the transmission is the only way to get the SUV back in usable condition.

Average Lifespan Of Cadillac Escalade Spark Plugs

Unfortunately, things are not that great when talking about the spark plugs in the Cadillac Escalade.

The OEM ones have been designed to last between 30,000 and 40,000 miles only, which is 20,000 miles short of almost all other OEM spark plugs on the market.

This could very well mean that the ones that are being used in this SUV are copper ones.

When you look for replacement spark plugs for the Cadillac Escalade, you should not settle for anything lower than platinum or iridium ones.

They can last longer than 60000 miles. You should also replace all of them in one go.

Average Lifespan Of Cadillac Escalade Key Fob

This is one part that companies never compromise on. The Cadillac Escalade has been designed to last for a long time.

Well, I can assure you that the key fob will be able to last longer than that. It has been built to last, and it can survive through thick and thin.

The battery on the fob, however, is one that can cause issues. There have been several reports of it draining too quickly, sometimes in a matter of months.

So, if you are one to face this issue, your only hope is to replace the fob. Let me warn you; the replacement does not come cheap.

So, I would suggest making do with changing the battery every few months.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Cadillac Escalade?

If you have finally decided to buy a Cadillac Escalade, and a used one for that matter, then I have some news for you.

You are making an excellent decision. You will not only be saving money but will also be compromising on nothing.

You should not buy an Escalade that has more than 100000 miles on the odometer. Even one that has it will only be able to last for six to seven years.

So, if you buy one that has 150,000 miles, then you will be looking for replacement SUVs very soon.

How To Increase How Long Your Cadillac Escalade Last

If you are wondering what can be done to make sure that the Cadillac Escalade will be able to be driven for every single one of those 200,000 miles, then I have some good news for you.

You can take many steps, some of which I will be listing here:

• Maintain the vehicle at set intervals.
• Improve driving habits.
• Repair issues as soon as they appear.
• Make sure that high-quality parts are used.

These are things that need to be done to make sure that the Escalade can be driven for as long as possible. There are many other things, but the ones I listed above are the major ones.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Cadillac Escalade

If you are serious about buying the Cadillac Escalade, you should also be aware of issues that you might face while owning it.

These problems have a low chance of occurrence, but they still do occur. So, you should know what to expect.

• Malfunctioning sensors.
• Failure of the power steering.
• Failure of the air conditioning system.
• Issues with the instrument panel.

As you can see, these problems are pretty serious. If the power steering fails while driving, then it can result in you losing control of the SUV.

The failure of the electrical system and the sensors can make owning the Escalade less convenient.

Most of these issues were common enough that the Cadillac had to issue extended warranties to help out unsatisfied owners.

Related: Cadillac Escalade Starting Problems

What To Look For When Buying A Cadillac Escalade

If you have considered everything to finally go out and purchase your new vehicle, I have some news for you. If you are buying a new SUV, then you have nothing to worry about.

But if you are going with my recommendation and are opting for a preowned Escalade, then there are some things that need to be checked:

• Mileage.
• Ownership history.
• Accident information (if any).
• Maintenance history.
• Information on repairs.

As you can see, these are things that must be checked. Things such as ownership history can give you a good idea of how much the SUV has been used.

The maintenance schedule is important too, as you can have a rough idea of the internal condition of the Cadillac Escalade.

But the first thing to check is mileage. If the SUV you are looking at has been driven for more than 120000 miles, you should not even consider it.

These are some of the many things that one can check to ensure the vehicle you are buying is worth your consideration or not.

Related: Best And Worst Years For Cadillac Escalade

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Cadillac Escalade A Reliable Car?

Yes, it is. It is so reliable that its top three competitors could not beat it in this category. Although the difference was small, it was enough for the Cadillac Escalade to pull ahead.

Its being reliable means that you will not face any unexpected surprises or failures. With a reliability score of more than 80 out of 100, it is one of the most reliable SUVs you can buy.

Q2. Does Cadillac Escalade Have A Lot Of Problems?

No, it does not. As was mentioned in the previous answer, the Cadillac Escalade is a pretty reliable SUV.

This also includes the fact that it does not have too many issues. The ones that are present were discussed in a section in this guide.

Those problems come in three categories:

• Electrical failure.
• Steering failure.
• Failure of the air conditioning system.

These problems can occur on any vehicle, but they are a bit more common in the Cadillac Escalade.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Cadillac Escalade?

I have repeatedly said, during the course of this guide, that you should buy a used Cadillac Escalade.

It is an amazing SUV and has been designed to make sure that you get a solid driving experience, regardless of the fact that the one you are purchasing is used or new.

All you need to do is make sure that the SUV has been driven for less than 100000 miles.

Q4. Does Cadillac Escalade Rust Easily?

Although there were rusting issues in the older models of the SUV, these problems have been resolved in the more recent ones.

Undercarriage rust was common in models that were released in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Many people reported that issue, and it frustrated a lot of people too.

Q5. Is Cadillac Escalade Expensive To Maintain?

The Cadillac Escalade is definitely an expensive SUV to maintain. According to my research, the average annual cost for maintaining this full-size SUV is around $1000.

That is a lot. The number jumps up to $12500 when you take a look at the first decade.

So, if you are purchasing the Escalade, you must be aware of the costs that are needed to make sure it is kept in pristine and working condition.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks, a complete article that discusses the reliability and the longevity of the Cadillac Escalade.

Now, I know that you got a lot more than a simple answer to the question of how long do Cadillac Escalades last, but I can assure you that all of this information is worth it.

Cadillac has created an amazing SUV, but it has its issues. They have been discussed in detail, alongside the lifespan of the parts that make this SUV function.

It is my sincere hope that you got the information you were looking for, and I hope that this article helped you decide about purchasing the Escalade.