FAILURE OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS, DEALER SAYS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY....THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO....AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT GM IS IGNORING. *TR
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.
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
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.
What owners actually said
43 reportsTL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED INACCURATE GAUGE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED INACCURATE GAUGE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. KMJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L ALENZA TIRES, SIZE P275/55/20 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BECOME SEVERELY DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L ALENZA TIRES, SIZE P275/55/20 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAD BECOME SEVERELY DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 142,100. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY SERVICE AIRBAG CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING, THAN EARLIER THIS YEAR MY AIRRIDE CONTROL WENT OUT AIR COMPRESSOR AND SHOCKS , IN FEB MY REAR BOLTS ON THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE LOOSE LEAKING FLUID , MY REAR SEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR MY SON 8 YEARS GET STUCK, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS HOT ON ONE SIDE AND COLD ON THE OTH…
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MY SERVICE AIRBAG CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING, THAN EARLIER THIS YEAR MY AIRRIDE CONTROL WENT OUT AIR COMPRESSOR AND SHOCKS , IN FEB MY REAR BOLTS ON THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE LOOSE LEAKING FLUID , MY REAR SEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR MY SON 8 YEARS GET STUCK, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS HOT ON ONE SIDE AND COLD ON THE OTHER CADILLAC CHANGED OUT A MODULE THREE MONTHS LATER. IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING BUT I WON'T TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN ALL THE OTHER STUFF STARTING HAPPENING REAR BOLTS LOSE LOST MASSIVE FLUID THEN THE AIR RIDE WENT OUT AIR COMPRESSOR AND SHOCKS. WHEN WE OPENED THE AIR COMPRESSOR UP IT WAS RUSTED AS IF IT HAD NOT WORKED IN YEARS SO I TRULY BELIEVE THAT SEWELLE CADILLAC DAMAGED MY SUV EVERYTHING BUT THE AIR ON ONE SIDE WAS GETTING HOT NOT TO MENTION THEY HAD MY TRUCK FOR OVER 7HRS AS I WAITED IN THE LOBBY LAST YEAR LOST MY ONE OF MY HUBS THE INTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE VIDEO PLAYER WENT OUT IN 2007 . MY VEHICLE STAYS ON WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPEN AND THE KEY IS OFF AND OUT OF THE IGNITION THE INSIDE LIGHT SWITCH COMES ON SOMETIMES AND THIS TRUCK IS ALMOST PAID BUT ITS A LOT OF MONEY FOR ALL THESE THINGS TO GO WRONG. THERE IS A LOT MORE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FRICTION LININGS BECAME SEPARATED FROM THEIR METAL SHOE WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS RUINED THE ROTOR AND BRAKE PADS OF THE REAR BRAKES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SPEAK TO A DEALER REGARDING TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SPEAK TO A DEALER REGARDING THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT MADE A DECISION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,800.
I HAVE A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE 6.0L ENGINE, WITH 88,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A TICKING SOUND INVESTIGATED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FOUND 3 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS, TWO ON ONE SIDE AND ONE ON THE OTHER, HAD SPONTANEOUSLY BROKEN. HE INDICATED BEFORE HE LIFTED THE HOOD THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE "THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH …
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I HAVE A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE 6.0L ENGINE, WITH 88,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A TICKING SOUND INVESTIGATED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FOUND 3 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS, TWO ON ONE SIDE AND ONE ON THE OTHER, HAD SPONTANEOUSLY BROKEN. HE INDICATED BEFORE HE LIFTED THE HOOD THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE "THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 6.0L ENGINE". I CHECKED WITH CADILLAC OWNERS GROUP AND EDMUNDS CAR SPACE AND READILY FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE 6.0L GM ENGINE. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AND/OR THE LEAKAGE OF EXHAUST GASES INTO THE SAME. I HAD ALL OF THE MANIFOLD BOLTS REPLACED. THEY DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED, BUT RATHER, THE HEADS OF THE 3 FAILED BOLTS APPEAR TO HAVE JUST POPPED OFF. I HAVE THE BOLTS THAT WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT INSIDIOUS BECAUSE IT CAN MIMIC THE SOUND THAT A BAD LIFTER MIGHT MAKE. I CONTACTED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY OFFERED NO RECOURSE. *TR
INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER DEFECT CAUSES SPEEDOMETER TO STICK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE SPEEDS WELL ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL TRAVELED SPEEDS. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR HER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT HER YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE SPEEDS WELL ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL TRAVELED SPEEDS. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR HER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT HER YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 05/05/09. *LJ
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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