Cadillac VIN Decoder: How to Read a Cadillac VIN (1G6, 1GY)

A Cadillac VIN starts with 1G6 on cars such as the CT5 and CTS, 1GY on SUVs such as the Escalade and XT5, or 3GY on older Mexico-built SUVs like the SRX. Positions 4-8 carry the model, body and engine, 9 is the check digit, 10 is the model year, and 11 is the plant. Escalade shares GM full-size hardware with Tahoe and Yukon, so the WMI is how you confirm you are looking at a Cadillac badge and not a twin. Decode it, then run recalls and a history report before you pay.

We ran Cadillac patterns through NHTSA's free vPIC decoder in mid October 2026 because Escalade listings still get pasted over with the wrong WMI, and a 1G6 sedan code on an "Escalade" ad is a red flag worth stopping for. Cadillac sits on GM platforms with Chevrolet and GMC, but the codes are Cadillac-specific; start with our Chevrolet VIN decoder and GMC VIN decoder if you are cross-shopping. New to the 17 positions? Read how to decode a VIN first.

Positions 1-3: 1G6 cars, 1GY SUVs, 3GY Mexico

vPIC maps 1G6 to Cadillac passenger cars under General Motors LLC and 1GY to Cadillac multipurpose vehicles built in the United States. 3GY covers Cadillac MPVs from Mexico. A 2020 CT5 pattern starting 1G6DN5RW decoded to Lansing Grand River, Michigan, with a 3.0-liter six, Premium Luxury trim and rear-wheel drive. A 2020 Escalade starting 1GYS4BKJ returned Arlington, Texas, Luxury trim, 6.2-liter V8 and four-wheel drive. A 2017 XT5 starting 1GYKNARS came back from Spring Hill, Tennessee, with a 3.6 V6. An older 2012 SRX starting 3GYFNEE3 decoded to Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila. If someone lists an Escalade with a 1G6 prefix, the VIN and the ad are not talking about the same vehicle.

Positions 4-8: model, trim and engine

The middle block encodes model family, body, restraints and engine. In our runs, a 2014 CTS starting 1G6AR5SX returned Luxury trim, 2.0-liter four, Lansing Grand River. A 2019 XT5 starting 1GYKNCRS returned Luxury, 3.6 V6, front-wheel drive, Spring Hill. A 2021 XT6 starting 1GYKPDRS returned Premium Luxury, 3.6 V6, AWD, still Spring Hill. Honestly, Cadillac's Escalade data is blunt about the 6.2 V8 when that engine is present, which matters when you are chasing the L87 crankshaft/connecting-rod recalls later. A blank model field means you verify the door jamb and window sticker yourself, not that the VIN is automatically fake.

Positions 9-11: check digit, year and plant

Position 9 is the check digit in 49 CFR 565.15. Typos usually fail; cloned VINs can pass. Position 10 is the model year (E was 2014, H was 2017, K was 2019, L was 2020 and M was 2021 in our samples). Position 11 is the plant. In our decodes, R was Lansing Grand River (CT5, CTS), Z was Arlington (Escalade), and Spring Hill showed up on XT5 and XT6 patterns. Mexico SRX builds pointed at Ramos Arizpe. If a seller insists the Escalade came from Spring Hill and position 11 says Z, believe the VIN.

Recalls that follow Cadillac VINs

Always run the full VIN. Campaigns are tied to build windows and RPOs, not just the year badge. NHTSA recall 25V-274 covers certain 2021-2024 Escalade and Escalade ESV models with the 6.2-liter L87 gas V8 (plus related Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs) where connecting-rod or crankshaft manufacturing defects can lead to engine damage and loss of propulsion. That filing alone lists roughly 79,000 Escalades and 46,000 Escalade ESVs in the affected window. Separate GM filings for daytime-running-lamp software (22V-903 class) also pulled in Escalade, CT4 and CT5 builds. Look, an Escalade with an open L87 engine campaign is not a "drive it home and sort it later" purchase. Get the dealer paperwork with the VIN printed, or walk.

We've seen seller PDFs that quietly omit open campaigns. Pull the recall check yourself.

After the decode: history, and what it costs

For model context, Car and Driver's Escalade page and MotorTrend's CT5 page are useful starting points, and IIHS XT5 ratings change by year. None of a VIN decode shows salvage brands, odometer jumps, auction damage or insurance claims. Those come from DMV, insurer, auction and shop feeds, which CARFAX describes as the basis of its reports. Pull your own copy. As of mid October 2026, a CARFAX report through us is about $5.50 as a guest or about $4.50 as a member, and a CARFAX plus AutoCheck bundle is about $6.75, against roughly $39.99 to $44.99 at retail. Confirm at checkout. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, or Experian.

Sources

• NHTSA vPIC VIN Decoder
• 49 CFR 565.15 VIN requirements
• NHTSA: GM recall report 25V-274 (Escalade L87 engine)
• NHTSA: GM recall report 22V-903 (DRL / Escalade CT4 CT5)
• Car and Driver: Cadillac Escalade
• MotorTrend: Cadillac CT5
• IIHS: Cadillac XT5 ratings
• CARFAX: Vehicle History Reports