
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the Cadillac Escalade is located on the driver's side of the vehicle, under the front windshield. Generally, the VIN can be found in the lower left corner of the front windshield, on the hinge pillar or lock pillar of the driver's door, or in other conspicuous places. Some models may have the VIN located in the engine compartment or on the inner side of the door near the driver's seat. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character alphanumeric code used to identify a vehicle. It provides information about the manufacturer, model, chassis number, and other characteristics. To avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0, the letters "I," "O," and "Q" are not used in VINs. The first three characters of the VIN represent the manufacturer's information, known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). Characters 4 to 8 indicate vehicle features such as model, engine, transmission, and braking system, which vary by manufacturer. The 9th character is a check digit used to verify the accuracy of the VIN. The 10th character represents the model year, the 11th character indicates the assembly plant, and characters 12 to 17 represent the production sequence number. Functions of the VIN: Determine the production year: Many vehicles are recalled due to defects. By checking the VIN, you can determine if your vehicle or a potential purchase was part of a recall batch. Identify genuine imported vehicles: The first character of the VIN indicates the country of origin. A VIN starting with "L" signifies a domestically produced vehicle, while other letters indicate an imported vehicle. Check vehicle history and maintenance records: By querying the VIN, you can access detailed maintenance records and determine if the vehicle has been involved in accidents, floods, or fires.

My six-year-old Escalade just had its annual inspection, and I remember the stamped VIN locations clearly. That label at the bottom left of the windshield is the sticker version of the VIN. For the stamped number, you'll need to pop the hood. There's a raised VIN stamp on the left frame rail near the radiator support – sometimes you need to wipe off dust with a cloth to see it clearly. The stamped VIN works like our ID card; it gets verified during ownership transfers or major repairs. When I replaced my engine last time, I had to make a rubbing of this number for DMV records. There's another hidden stamp inside the right rear wheel arch on the chassis frame, but crawling under the car is a hassle. I'd suggest just memorizing these two easy-access spots: the windshield and engine bay locations.

Based on experience repairing over a dozen Escalades, the VIN stamp has primary and secondary locations. The most commonly used one is on the firewall sheet metal next to the main wiring harness - you can feel the raised impression with your fingers. There's a backup VIN stamp on the spare tire well floor panel that DMV inspectors prefer to trace, as it's less prone to corrosion even on flood-damaged vehicles. Here's a pro tip: wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove dust, then angle your phone's flashlight across the sheet metal surface - the stamped numbers will reflect noticeably. If aftermarket skid plates are installed, they may block the secondary VIN stamp near the passenger side rocker panel. In such cases, I recommend using a lift to inspect the end of the frame rails.

A veteran mechanic with 20 years of experience in auto repair told me that locating the VIN stamp on the Cadillac Escalade varies by generation. For the current fifth-generation models, check three main spots: beneath the VIN label at the lower left corner of the windshield (corresponding to the inside of the A-pillar), on the side of the reinforcement beam near the right rear suspension tower in the engine bay, and on the floor crossbeam under the front passenger seat rail. Earlier models may have an additional stamp in the spare tire mount area. When buying a used car, always verify the chassis VIN stamp—one client ended up with a spliced vehicle because the chassis stamp didn’t match the windshield sticker.


