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2004 Cadillac Escalade

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 47.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

69 reports
135,000 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED BEHIND THE ABS CLAMPS, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/04/13*LJ UPDATED 12/9/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10547192

105,000 miles · Sep 12, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHICH LOCATED THE BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHICH LOCATED THE BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 12/118/13*CN ALSO, THE FUEL LINES RUSTED OUT, ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. UPDATED 12.24.13

NHTSA ODI #10543222

74,900 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I KEPT PUMPING THEM AND DOWNSHIFTED TO COME TO A STOP. UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM PASSENGER REAR (ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE). SEEMS THAT LINE IS CORRODED. I'VE NEVER HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPE…

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I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I KEPT PUMPING THEM AND DOWNSHIFTED TO COME TO A STOP. UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM PASSENGER REAR (ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE). SEEMS THAT LINE IS CORRODED. I'VE NEVER HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND FOR THE PRICE I PAID, THIS IS UNCALLED FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531618

89,500 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Service Brakes

A CAR TRAVELING DIRECTLY IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN A TRAFFIC CHANGED TO YELLOW, TRAVELING WEST ON LEESBURG PIKE (VA-286) NEAR STERLING VA. TOWING A TRAILER, I HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID REAR ENDING. THE BRAKES INITIALLY WORKED NORMALLY, AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. THEN THE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FIREWALL AND WARN…

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A CAR TRAVELING DIRECTLY IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN A TRAFFIC CHANGED TO YELLOW, TRAVELING WEST ON LEESBURG PIKE (VA-286) NEAR STERLING VA. TOWING A TRAILER, I HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID REAR ENDING. THE BRAKES INITIALLY WORKED NORMALLY, AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. THEN THE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FIREWALL AND WARNING LIGHTS & MESSAGES APPEARED. I SOUNDED THE HORN AND THE CAR IN FRONT MOVED TO GIVE ME SPACE TO COMPLETE THE STOP UNDER MANUAL BRAKING, WHICH IS PRONE TO SKIDDING WITHOUT MODULATION OR TRACTION CONTROL. ONCE GETTING THE TRUCK TO A SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE HAD BURST, AND THAT ALL THE LINES SUFFERED HEAVY CORROSION. I'VE READ THERE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATION OF BRAKE LINE CORROSION ON GM TRUCKS, IT SEEMS MINE IS AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489414

87,000 miles · Dec 7, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10487676

74,328 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Service Brakes

MY WIFE HAD JUST LEFT THE PARKING LOT APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP SHE WENT THROUGH THE RESD LIGHT AND COASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. LUCKILY SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AFTER CHECKING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKIN…

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MY WIFE HAD JUST LEFT THE PARKING LOT APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP SHE WENT THROUGH THE RESD LIGHT AND COASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. LUCKILY SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AFTER CHECKING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE TOWARDS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED, CORRODED, AND LEAKING EVERY TIME THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE A FIFTY YEAR OLD VEHICLE I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY THING LIKE THIS IN ALL MY LIFE. I THOUGHT BRAKE LINES WERE MADE TO OUT LAST THE VEHICLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT A GROWING NUMBER OF SUV OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THEN SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, I JUST NEED MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED WITH GENUINE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479405

74,328 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND COASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHIC…

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2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND COASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED, TO THE POINT OF CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #10477842

18,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE BOOST VALVE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE BOOST VALVE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10465859

130,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN MVA ON NOV. 1, 2011 THAT TOTALED MY 2004 ESCALADE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, DESPITE DAMAGE TO ALL SIDES OF THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING FRONT END IMPACT. THE CAR ACTUALLY ROLLED. THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE FRONT HIT AN EMBANKMENT NOSE FIRST WITH GREAT IMPACT. I SUFFERED SEVERAL INJURIES, INCLUDING HEAD TRAUMA. *…

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I WAS IN AN MVA ON NOV. 1, 2011 THAT TOTALED MY 2004 ESCALADE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, DESPITE DAMAGE TO ALL SIDES OF THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING FRONT END IMPACT. THE CAR ACTUALLY ROLLED. THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE FRONT HIT AN EMBANKMENT NOSE FIRST WITH GREAT IMPACT. I SUFFERED SEVERAL INJURIES, INCLUDING HEAD TRAUMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436436

84,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

SPEEDOMETER, TACH AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DO NOT WORK ON 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394245

Official recalls

2

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.