IllustrationTHE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES. *JB *SC
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escalade years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsDT: THE VEHICLE HAS ONSTAR THAT DOESNT WORK. THE OWNER HAS FILED 29 COMPLAINTS WITH THE DEALER AND ONSTAR. CAR IS NOW AT DEALERSHIP. *AK
INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC AUTO ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLE. HIT IN FRONT PASSENGER & FRONT PART OF VEHICLE (BY RADIATOR AREA) AT HIGH SPEED. EST.SPEED APPROX. 45-55 MPH WITH NO SKID MARKS, OTHER VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT HIT US. NEW GM/ESCALADE-SUV/"04-WITH 11,000 MILES, BOUGHT NEW DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, WITH APPARENT SERIOUS FRAM…
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INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC AUTO ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLE. HIT IN FRONT PASSENGER & FRONT PART OF VEHICLE (BY RADIATOR AREA) AT HIGH SPEED. EST.SPEED APPROX. 45-55 MPH WITH NO SKID MARKS, OTHER VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT HIT US. NEW GM/ESCALADE-SUV/"04-WITH 11,000 MILES, BOUGHT NEW DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, WITH APPARENT SERIOUS FRAME DAMAGE/BENT 12 IN. AND FOUND STRESS CRK. SHOULD GIVE AN IDEA HIGH SPEED OTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING. 8-10 SECONDS FROM IMPACT, ONSTAR CAME ON AUTOMATICALLY, THEY RECD. EMERGENCY MESSAGE VIA SATELLITE, VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A SERIOUS MVA AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WE DIDN'T CALL ONSTAR THEY CALLED US. NEXT DAY WE CALLED ASKED HOW THEY KNEW WE WERE ACCIDENT. TOLD US DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY, THEY GET CERTAIN SIGNALS, WHICH OURS HAD ADVISED OF SERIOUSNESS & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. UNBELIEVABLY, NONE OF OUR 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE & HUNDREDS OF OUR FRIENDS ARE IN TOTAL DISBELIEF WHEN YOU SEE THE CONDITION VEIHICLE WAS LEFT IN & THAT 4 AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WE WERE INJURED BUT BY GRACE OF GOD INJURIES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING. HEAD,UPPERANDLOWERBACK,NECK,LEGS,SHOULDER,HIPSAND ARMS EXTREMLEY SORE. HAS BEEN 33 DAYS SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND AM STILL FEELING PAINS & SERIOUS HEADACHES BUT ALIVE. HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME ADVOCATES AND REPORT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT TO POSSIBLY SAFE A PERSON(S) LIFE AND MAKE GENERAL MOTORS AWARE THAT THEY HAVE A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THEIR AIR BAGS, LEADING TO MASSIVE RECALL AND POSSIBLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IF NOT FIXED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. ANYTIME ANYONE IS HIT AT RATE OF SPEED THAT WE WERE, TO LEAVE BRAND NEW SUV ESCALADE A TOTAL LOSS/ 12 IN. BENT FRAME & STRESS CRACK & 4 AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOY - LEADS US TO BELIEVE OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND A SERIOUS ONE FOR GM/CADILLAC. CALL FOR FURTHER DETAILS (956) 533-0811 (956)358-5272. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS.
DT: PROBLEM WAS NOTICED IN 5/05 WHEN KEY WAS TURNED ON, NO LIGHT CAME ON REGARDING THE STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION. WAS PUT ON DIAGNOSTICS, BUT NO ERROR CODE SHOWED. OWNER MANUAL STATED THE LIGHT WILL COME ON BRIEFLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THEN DISAPPEAR. IF THE LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON, THEN STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION MAY NEED…
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DT: PROBLEM WAS NOTICED IN 5/05 WHEN KEY WAS TURNED ON, NO LIGHT CAME ON REGARDING THE STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION. WAS PUT ON DIAGNOSTICS, BUT NO ERROR CODE SHOWED. OWNER MANUAL STATED THE LIGHT WILL COME ON BRIEFLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THEN DISAPPEAR. IF THE LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON, THEN STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION MAY NEED SERVICE. THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED IN APRIL, WHEN RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRIC FUNCTIONS FAILED. ALSO, THE LOW PSI LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE REPAIR OF ELECTRIC SYSTEM. TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS SEVERAL BULLETINS REGARDING THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS, BUT DEALER DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL.*AK
THE TRUCK HAS HAD A VIBRATION THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY WHEN THE TRUCK REACHES A SPEED BETWEEN 76-78 MPH. THE DEALER HAS MADE 5 ATTEMPTS THUS FAR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM INCLUDING CHANGING THE TIRES & BALANCING THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES TO NOI AVAIL
WHEN BRAKING AT 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK *NM
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT PRODUCED A WHININNING NOISE. DEALER REPAIRED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
THE NEW MODEL YEAR 03 AND 04 CADILLAC ESCALADE SUVS HAVE TOO HIGHLY MOUNTED AND POORLY DESIGNED AND OR MIS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS CAUSING BLINDING GLARE TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS IN FRONT OF THESE VEHICLES. THE EXCESSIVELY GLARING LIGHT CAUSED EYE PAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM…
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THE NEW MODEL YEAR 03 AND 04 CADILLAC ESCALADE SUVS HAVE TOO HIGHLY MOUNTED AND POORLY DESIGNED AND OR MIS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS CAUSING BLINDING GLARE TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS IN FRONT OF THESE VEHICLES. THE EXCESSIVELY GLARING LIGHT CAUSED EYE PAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH DRIVER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE POWER BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AND VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STATED PISTON ROD WENT THROUGH THE OIL PAN. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
205V163000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.