Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
525–50K
650–75K
975–100K
11100–150K
9150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-75 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN WRIST AND FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS AIR-LIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIGHT LEG A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-75 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN WRIST AND FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS AIR-LIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIGHT LEG AND SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPINE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE MASSIVE IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. UPDATED 10/14/11
NHTSA ODI #10386829
120,000 miles · Jan 18, 2011
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. A PENNY FEEL BETWEEN THE CONSOLE AND THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE WIRING AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. A PENNY FEEL BETWEEN THE CONSOLE AND THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE WIRING AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER SHOULD BE LOCATED IN A DIFFERENT POSITION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10377039
70,821 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Electrical System
MY 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE WANTS TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE SYSTEM IS RESETTING ITS SELF, CAUSING MY CAR TO STALL, THE ALTERNATOR GAUGE IS FLUCTUATING BACK AND FORTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345068
84,489 miles · May 28, 2010
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE IN MARCH 2010, HOWEVER SOON AFTER PURCHASE MY WATER PUMP HAD A LEAK WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULDN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, A MONTH LATER WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP MY VEHICLE THE REVERSE DID NOT WORK MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE NO REVERSE I HAVE CONTACT CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY ACT LIKE I DO…
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I PURCHASED A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE IN MARCH 2010, HOWEVER SOON AFTER PURCHASE MY WATER PUMP HAD A LEAK WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULDN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, A MONTH LATER WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP MY VEHICLE THE REVERSE DID NOT WORK MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE NO REVERSE I HAVE CONTACT CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY ACT LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION GAUGE INSIDE VEHICLE IS PASS THE LIMIT LINE OVER HEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332707
110,000 miles · Apr 15, 2010
SeatsFireInjury
DECEMBER 2009 WHILE DRIVING,,, THE HEATED SEATING COIL CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE SEAT FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND ALSO BURNING MY LEG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325930
63,301 miles · Jan 19, 2010
Seats
THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A SHORT IN IT. WHEN I PUSH THE FORWARD BUTTON ON THE SEAT, IT NOW GOES IN REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300273
104,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
SeatsFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. HE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE SEAT WARMER THAT WAS ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. HE SMELLED SMOKE AND THEN NOTICED THE FLAMES. HE WAS ABLE TO UNPLUG THE SEAT WARMER FROM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT; HOWEVER, THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE SEAT, PILLOW AND A BLANKET. THE DE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. HE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE SEAT WARMER THAT WAS ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. HE SMELLED SMOKE AND THEN NOTICED THE FLAMES. HE WAS ABLE TO UNPLUG THE SEAT WARMER FROM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT; HOWEVER, THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE SEAT, PILLOW AND A BLANKET. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A CALL; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE FAILURE IS COVERED PER THE WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107000.
NHTSA ODI #10298778
720,000 miles · Mar 20, 2009
Electrical System
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE AND MY SPEEDOMETER HAS QUIT WORKING IT STARTED MALFUNCTIONING/STICKING, NOT SHOWING CORRECT SPEED ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 27, 09 AS OF TODAY IT HAS QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (RED NOLAND CADILLAC) I WAS ADVISED THE COST TO REPAIR THE SPEEDOMETER CLU…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE AND MY SPEEDOMETER HAS QUIT WORKING IT STARTED MALFUNCTIONING/STICKING, NOT SHOWING CORRECT SPEED ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 27, 09 AS OF TODAY IT HAS QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (RED NOLAND CADILLAC) I WAS ADVISED THE COST TO REPAIR THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $370. AND BECAUSE I HAVE APROX 72,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE THE SPECIAL BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED BY GM HAS EXPIRED. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THERE WERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THE SPECIAL BULLETIN SINCE I AM ONLY 2,000 MILES OVER THE THRESHOLD, I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THEY COULD HELP ME, BUT SINCE I AM NOT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262577
88,100 miles · Feb 23, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT CADILLAC WOULD REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR FREE ON…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT CADILLAC WOULD REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR FREE ON VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE FIT THE CRITERIA. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,100.
NHTSA ODI #10259630
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2009
Power Train
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL GOING BAD AND CAUSING THE TRANSFER CASE TO GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAR DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR
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.
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.
2004 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year