Recall 14V259 affects 2,838 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade Esv SUVs for partial passenger air bag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.
Cadillac is recalling 2,838 2015 Escalade and Escalade Esv vehicles because an insufficiently heated weld can leave the front passenger air bag only partly deployed in a crash. A partial air bag deployment increases the risk of occupant injury, and the Cadillac dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag in the 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade Esv sits behind the instrument panel, the dashboard panel in front of the passenger seat. Its module is fastened to a chute, a guide that helps the air bag open through the correct path in the panel during a crash.
On affected vehicles, that chute was attached to the backside of the instrument panel with an infrared weld that was not heated enough. A weak weld means the air bag module is not held the way it was designed to be held. In a crash, the front passenger air bag can deploy only partly instead of opening fully into position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is in the hidden mounting and weld behind the dashboard, so the vehicle can look and feel normal until the air bag is needed.
Who's affected?
Covers the standard Escalade and the longer Escalade Esv body style, with the air bag system listed for both.
| 2015 Cadillac Escalade | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Cadillac Escalade Esv | air bag system |
| Units affected | 2,838 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A passenger air bag that only partially deploys leaves the front passenger with less protection in a crash, which increases the risk of occupant injury. Until the repair is complete, keep occupants out of the front passenger seat. Repair will be free at any franchised Cadillac dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Cadillac Escalade or Escalade Esv is included in this recall.
- Watch for Cadillac's owner letter before scheduling the final repair.
- Keep the front passenger seat empty until the instrument-panel trim repair is complete.
- Ask a franchised Cadillac dealer whether the free instrument-panel right-side upper trim-panel replacement is open for your VIN; this repair addresses the front passenger air bag partial-deployment risk.
- Reference recall number 14V259 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Cadillac sent one.
What happens at the repair
Cadillac sent an interim owner letter on May 16, 2014, and the recall began on June 9, 2014. Until the vehicle is repaired, occupants should not sit in the front passenger seat. When remedy parts are available, a Cadillac technician will replace the instrument panel right side upper trim panel. The dealer repair will be free once available. Cadillac customer service is listed at 1-800-458-8006 for campaign 14220.
Timeline
| May 16, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 9, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V259?
Recall 14V259 covers 2,838 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade Esv vehicles with a front passenger air bag module issue. The air bag can deploy only part way in a crash, increasing occupant injury risk. Cadillac dealers replace the right-side upper instrument panel trim panel for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Cadillac Escalade or Escalade Esv is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V259. If it is, contact a franchised Cadillac dealer and reference recall number 14220 or 14V259. Until the repair is complete, keep passengers out of the front passenger seat.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V259, Cadillac dealers replace the instrument panel right side upper trim panel free of charge.
Is it safe to use the front passenger seat before the repair?
No. Cadillac advised owners that occupants should not sit in the front passenger seat until the vehicle has been repaired. The defect affects front passenger air bag deployment, so use another seat and schedule the free dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V259000 |
|---|---|
| Cadillac customer service | 1-800-458-8006 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V259 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V259000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →