1999 Cadillac Escalade

1999 Cadillac Escalade

The 1999 Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV built on the GMT400 platform. It was offered with a choice of two engines: a 5.7L V8 (345 hp / 456 lb-ft) or a 6.5L V8 diesel (200 hp / 390 lb-ft), paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Escalade was praised for its spacious interior, powerful engine, and imposing exterior. However, it also had some shortcomings, including poor fuel economy, limited off-road capability, and occasional reliability issues.

Engine

• 5.7L V8
  • Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks, overheating, engine misfires
    • Solution: Replace intake manifold gaskets
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Head Gasket Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks, overheating, engine misfires, white smoke from exhaust
    • Solution: Replace head gaskets
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500
    • Recalls: None Found
• 6.5L V8 Diesel
  • Injection Pump Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Engine stalling, loss of power, black smoke from exhaust
    • Solution: Replace injection pump
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $3,000
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

• 4-Speed Automatic
  • Slipping Gears
    • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slips out of gear during driving, hard shifting
    • Solution: Rebuild or replace transmission
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Torque Converter Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibration during acceleration, overheating, loss of power
    • Solution: Replace torque converter
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,200 - $1,800
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• No Issues Found

Electrical

• Alternator Failure * Description/Symptoms: Dimming lights, electrical components not working, battery not charging * Solution: Replace alternator * Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $700 * Recalls: 00V119000, 06V073000
• Battery Drain * Description/Symptoms: Battery discharges overnight or after short periods of inactivity * Solution: Diagnose and fix source of electrical drain (e.g., faulty module, parasitic draw) * Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies depending on the source of the drain * Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• No Issues Found

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking * Description/Symptoms: Cracks develop on the plastic dashboard panels * Solution: Replace or repair dashboard panels * Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000 * Recalls: None Found
• Radio Display Failure * Description/Symptoms: Radio display goes blank or becomes distorted * Solution: Replace radio unit * Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,200 * Recalls: None Found

Other

• Fuel Pump Failure * Description/Symptoms: Engine stalling, difficulty starting, loss of power * Solution: Replace fuel pump * Estimated Cost to Fix: $600 - $800 * Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 1999 Cadillac Escalade faces a few common issues, including engine and transmission problems. Engine issues can range from relatively inexpensive repairs, such as intake manifold gasket failure, to more costly ones like head gasket failure. Transmission issues can also be expensive to fix, with repairs costing upwards of $2,500. Other issues, such as electrical gremlins and interior component malfunctions, are less severe and generally less costly to address. Overall, the Escalade’s reliability is average, and owners should expect to encounter some repairs over the course of ownership.