CadillacEscalade2015Overview/cadillac/escalade/2015/base/
2WD platform

2015 Cadillac Escalade

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Escalade.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade is a full-size SUV built on a 2WD platform and motivated by an engine requiring 8.0 quarts of 0W-20 oil, with power routed through a six-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 combined mpg. With 103 owner complaints logged and nine recalls on record—engine issues leading the complaint areas—this model year sits in the middle of the Escalade's reliability history, well below the 2007 peak of 285 complaints but far above the 2001 low of just three, suggesting a used buyer should weigh engine-related concerns carefully while recognizing the model's overall trajectory has improved from its worst years.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275/55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742
Engine air filter22845992
Spark plug12622441
Battery88865934 alt 88864541
Front wiper blades84613732
Serpentine belt12643517 alt 12658178
Thermostat12620318 alt 12674639
Cabin air filter23281440

Diagrams

Power distribution wiring8 sheets

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length203.9 in
Overall width80.3 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase116.1 in
Curb weight5840 lb
Track (front / rear)68.9 / 68.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

5.6–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2015 Premium
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Premium 6.2L V85.60 sec14.10 sec420 hpAWD
2015Platinum 6.2L V85.90 sec14.40 sec420 hpAWD
2015ESV Premium 6.2L V86.10 sec14.60 sec420 hpAWD
2015Premium 6.2L V86.10 sec14.70 sec420 hpAWD
2016Platinum 6.2L V85.80 sec14.30 sec420 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, SAE 75W · Synthetic · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid6
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6 Speed
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · Synthetic · SAE 75W
Engine Coolant50
Engine Coolant Capacity16.6
Engine OilSAE 0W

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts8.85 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission18.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts44.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub Bearing Housing BoltsInstall a new retaining nut. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity32.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity6.59 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-76
Engine Compression100 min psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 77; Rear: 40 /; Front: 74; Rear: 38
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 169; Rear: 150 /; Front: 170; Rear: 148
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .728
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.122; Rear: .748
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0007
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs, Step 2: 8515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse bolts. · Bolts 1-10

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; Bolts 11-1570 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2015 Cadillac Escalade represents a dramatic spike in the federal record, with complaints surging from just 19 in 2014 to 103, and recalls leaping from 2 to 9. This sharp escalation, alongside a massive increase in technical service bulletins from 1,450 to 2,516, places the 2015 model squarely at the troubled launch point of a new generational arc. While the data does not specify root causes, the top complaint areas—Engine (12), Power Train (9), and Electrical System (7)—indicate significant mechanical and electronic growing pains. The subsequent 2016 model year maintains a high complaint volume (102) but sees recalls drop to 4, suggesting the 2015's nine recalls represent acute first-year flaws that required immediate manufacturer action. Given this first-year volatility and the presence of 5 crash and 3 fire complaints, it is best to skip the 2015 model and opt for a later year in this generation.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
2516
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
103
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 103 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine12
Power Train9
Unknown Or Other9
Electrical System7
Steering5
Suspension4
Service Brakes4
Power Train,Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V586000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 07/09/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at…

19V645000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:VacuumReported 06/09/2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 2516 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT64832026-02-04Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights…
PIT6400A2026-01-16Unknown Or OtherThis PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform…

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Fuse box & wiring diagrams

Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Escalade take?

8.0 qt of SAE 0W-20 GM P/N 19259487 engine oil approved to the dexos specification., per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Escalade have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 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 / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.