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2005 Cadillac Escalade

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 47.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

30 reports with mileage · 13 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. 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.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND HAS REMAINED ON. IT IS ON WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING. IT NEVER GOES OFF. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR ANYTHING TO CAUSE IT TO COME ON. I FEAR THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING FAULTY HAPPEN WHILE I DRIVE. ALSO I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FUELING MY 2005 ESCALADE. IT WILL ONLY LET ME PUT IN $1.00 MAYBE …

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND HAS REMAINED ON. IT IS ON WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING. IT NEVER GOES OFF. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR ANYTHING TO CAUSE IT TO COME ON. I FEAR THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING FAULTY HAPPEN WHILE I DRIVE. ALSO I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FUELING MY 2005 ESCALADE. IT WILL ONLY LET ME PUT IN $1.00 MAYBE $1.50 AT A TIME AND THE PUMP WILL KICK OFF. I'VE EVEN HAD GAS SPILL OUT WHILE THIS IS OCCURRING. THE GAS SPILL HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS ALMOST EMPTY. SO IT WASN'T OVERFILL. ALSO, MY AIR CONDITIONER, AT TIMES WILL JUST GET HOT WHILE DRIVING. IF I STOP AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE AIR WILL RETURN TO COLD. AND IT SMELLS LIKE BURNING WIRES. I HAVE BEEN ROUTINELY LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THROUGH THIS WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #11288292

250,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDDLE GOING TO THE FLOOR

NHTSA ODI #11241090

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2018
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO A HUB BEARING FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HERITAGE CHEVROLET BUICK OWINGS MILLS (11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, 1-(866) 730-382…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO A HUB BEARING FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HERITAGE CHEVROLET BUICK OWINGS MILLS (11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, 1-(866) 730-3826) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL NUMBER: 07E-10B (HUB ASSEMBLY) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E106000 (WHEELS). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11133571

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2018
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND SAYS CHECK AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI #11129309

53,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD FUEL TO THE FUEL TANK, THE VALVE BECAME STUCK AND PREVENTED THE FUEL FROM ENTERING. AS A RESULT, FUEL SPILLED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD FUEL TO THE FUEL TANK, THE VALVE BECAME STUCK AND PREVENTED THE FUEL FROM ENTERING. AS A RESULT, FUEL SPILLED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND THE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #11079082

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I PURCHASED MY CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN 2009 AND I NOW HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH IT. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WILL NOT GO OUT, THE ERROR STATES THE FUEL CAP IS NOT TIGHT AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TIGHTENED IT NEVER GOES AWAY. WHEN FUELING THE CAR FUEL WILL OVERFLOW IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION. ALSO THE THE SHIFT LEVER…

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I PURCHASED MY CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN 2009 AND I NOW HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH IT. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WILL NOT GO OUT, THE ERROR STATES THE FUEL CAP IS NOT TIGHT AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TIGHTENED IT NEVER GOES AWAY. WHEN FUELING THE CAR FUEL WILL OVERFLOW IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION. ALSO THE THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION IS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED SO I AM NOT SURE WHICH POSITION THE CAR IS IN MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE TO LISTEN AND GAUGE IT BEFORE TRYING TO PUT IT IN GEAR. I NEVER RECEIVED AN COMMUNICATIONS THAT THE CAR WAS UNDER RECALL BUT FROM WHAT I AM SEEING FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM NOW HAVING.

NHTSA ODI #11032027

215,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR NOT ILLUMINATED. GM RECALL # 05023. I CALLED GM # 866-982-2339. THEY STATED MY VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND HAVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER REPROGRAMED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I CAN'T TELL WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN AND THIS IS NOT SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11021549

64,977 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,977.

NHTSA ODI #10915892

77,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10762401

180,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED SHOWING THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS U…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED SHOWING THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746323

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.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.