NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
When this device is used to replace the Flasher Module (my had failed so I ordered this replacement from Amazon) I found that the brake light circuit to any trailer connected tot he vehicle would no longer work. Under further research on Amazon via reviews and other online sources, I found that all of the Chinese clone parts have this same failure mode. Since most people check trailer lights with Directionals or 4 Way flashers, they would not be aware of the failure of the brake (stop) lamps not working on the trailer leading to critical dangerous situation if they need to slow as the driver behind them is likely to rear end the trailer due to the failure of the stop lamps to light.
I don’t know all I stopped driving it because it is not shifting right and I can’t ark it for some reason . I have to leave it in reverse and then turn off and put rocks so it does not move. Not safe, one day I drive 30 minutes later it is this way.
At speeds of 50 mph and above, my vehicle does the death wobble. Any time I hit a tiny crack in the road, going higher speeds. The person that sold he this car knew it did not pass emissions in September 2024 and I bought it in November 2024. A dealership checked car fax for me after I bought it. And this person rolled back the odometer also. I found this out after I purchased it.
Searching of Google results indicates this is a known problem with these vehicles. I am unable to put fuel/gas in the tank because the vapor safety system fails! Having to replace the entire vapor purge and canister assembly is very costly when this known safety hazard should have been taken care of by the manufacturer.
Unknown
When driving it feels like I'm slowing down when I'm not. The lights inside, the headlights, & on dashboard flicker & sometimes go out while driving. My seatbelts on the driver, back seat behind driver not working. The driver seat does not adjust so I can position myself correctly. The truck rocks side to side while driving as if it will tip over on its side if I drive over 30. I just recently acquired the truck within the last few months and I need to be on the road driving my babies around. I love the truck andu problems with it sounds and drive like it's all a safety issue. Please let me know if these issues are covered to be fixed.
so when I give it some gas the blower Moter for the ac /heat with go Fater then when the rpms go down the fan goes down with it same with the lights they flicker. i had changed the brake pads an rotors an blew compressed air on the caliper an seen a pin hole on the rubber seal.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the ABS and traction stability warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with needing the shocks and struts replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
MY TRUCK STARTED ON FIRE SMOKE STARTED UNDER GLOVE BOX!, THEN FLAMES STARTED AND THE WHOLE TRUCK BURNED UP! I WAS JUST DRIVING ION THE HIGHWAY!! LUCKY TO BE ALIVE TO TELL THE STORY
HEADLIGHTS AND BALLETS BEEN REPLACED 3TIMES.. THEY COMES ON ONLY WHEN NOT DRIVING THEN I START DRIVING THEN ALL THE LIGHTS START FLICKERING. SEATBELT IN REAR WAS REPAIRED TWICE BUT WONT RETRACT AFTER UNBUCKLEING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER (PIETROSKE CHEVROLET, 4000 GRAND AVE, MANITOWOC, WI 54220, (920)-445-8134) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,030. *TT UPDATED 11/30/18*JB
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER AND CANNOT GET IT INSPECTED DUE TO THE ISSUES WITH THE ABS AND STEERING SENSORS.REPLACED ABS MODULE AND AM STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH IT. THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT AS IS AND THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY KIND OF WARRANTY AND HAD ME SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT STATING SO.WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO FUEL UP AND HIT THE BRAKES AND COULD BARELY GET IT STOPPED.FOUND A LOT OF BAD BRAKE LINES AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON
DURING ROUTINE REPAIR WORK TRANSMISSION LINES, BREAK LINES AND POWER STEERING LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE ROTTEN OR BADLY LEAKING. IN ADDITION, FUEL PUMP, REAR BACKING PLATES AND POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ROT.
I HAD A BADLY CORRODED BRAKE LINE RUPNTURE AND NEARLY WRECKED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 2 DAYS THEY SAY THEY WON'T FIX IT. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH LINES ROUTED THROUGH THE FRAME, OR BETWEEN FRAME AND BODY. THEY RECOMMEND A FULL BODY REMOVAL AND THEY REFUSED. FAULTY TRANS MODULES AND PEELING/LEAKING STOCK RIMS.
TRUCK STALLS OUT WHEN PULLING OUT. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL. GETTING SERVICE STABILITY TRAK CONTROL MESSAGES, WHEN TURNING IT OFF IT SEEMS IT DOES NOT STALL OUT AS BAD. GAS GAUGE IS STICKING, NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS YOU TRULY HAVE EVERYDAY!!
2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE WITH 45,104 MILES. 2ND OWNER. HAD TO PANIC STOP ON LOCAL HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING WRONG WAY ON THE RAMP. HAD A TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLE TO RIGHT OF RAMP AND AGGRESSIVELY APPLY BRAKES TO AVOID ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 15-25 MPH. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PULSATED AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSING TO FLOOR. CONTINUED TO PROCEED AND BRAKES AGAIN GOING TO FLOOR. DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES FAILED AND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE, COMPLETELY EMPTYING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING LOSS OF FRONT AND REAR BRAKE SYSTEMS. WAS ABLE TO PROCEED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE SINCE HOME WAS WITHIN A MILE AND HALF. AT HOME, FILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER IN DRIVEWAY AND DID STATIONARY TEST OF SYSTEM. ENGINE STARTED, BRAKES AGAIN GO TO FLOOR AND MASSIVE BRAKE LEAK OCCURRED ON DRIVER'S SIDE BY LEADING EDGE OF FRONT DOOR AT TRUCK FRAME SPILLING FLUID ON GROUND AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER/EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAVE READ IN NEW YORK TIMES THIS IS AN ISSUE ON GM LIGHT TRUCKS AND GM REFUSES TO RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SECURE THE PASSENGERS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LEFT LEG LACERATION AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND RIGHT KNEE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED FIVE FRACTURED VERTEBRAE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (INTEGRITY GM OF CHATTANOOGA, TN) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
THE STRONG ODOR OF. FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. STRONG WHEN DRIVING. WE FIND NO GAS ON THE GROUND LEAKING. WE HAVE MADE SURE THE GAS CAP IS SECURE. IT IS GETTING 14MPG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, REAR PASSENGER SEAT BECAME HOT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED, ONLY THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 232,000.
RADIO SOUND GOES IN AND OUT. ALSO DOOR CHIME DOES OR DOESN'T WORK RIGHT ALONG WITH IT. IT COULD BE A SHORT OR THE BCM FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. ALSO SOMETIMES THE SUNROOF LEAKS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SWERVE AND CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE GAUGES DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED, FUEL, AND RPM INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
I WAS THE OWNER OF A 2014 CADILLAC ESCALADE. ON AUGUST 26, 2015, WHILE DRIVING I PLUGGED IN MY CELL PHONE CHARGER INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. SPARKS AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. I PULLED OVER TO A SIDE STREET. NO SOONER THAN I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT, THE ENTIRE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS,SEATS, CONSOLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AS WELL. THIS WAS A DEVASTATING INCIDENT TO ENDURE. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE
THE BRAKE "LINES FROM THE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO MODULATOR, LINES FROM MASTER CYL TO PROPORTIONING VALVE" HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTED DESCRIPTION IS FROM THE DEALERS SERVICE INVOICE. ONE OR MORE OF THESE LINES CORRODED THRU AND FAILED WHILE I WAS (LUCKILY) IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT IN 2012 REGARDING CORROSION FAILURE RELATED TO THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND IN 2013 FOR CORROSION FAILURE RELATED TO THE FRONT BRAKE LINES. ODI NUMBERS ARE AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING AT 58 MPH IN THE RAIN, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO TREE STUMPS AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE KEY REMAINED IN THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
I HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR OLDER MODEL CADILLAC ESCALADE'S AIR BAGS. I OWN A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AT FULL SPEED WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE I WAS PARKED, IDLING. IF I WAS DRIVING, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR CAUSED OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE TO BE KILLED OR INJURED. THIS DEFECT HAS ME WONDERING IF THIS WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM IS CURRENTLY COMMITTED TO ONLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. MY EXPECTATION IS THAT THEY DEFINE ROOT CAUSE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE. *TR
VEHICLE IS NO LONGER PROVIDING SPEED READOUT WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR GAUGE IS INOPERATIVE AT RANDOM. MY VEHICLE IS 11 YEARS OLD BUT HAS LESS THAN 20,000 ORIGINAL MILES (MOST ARE HIGHWAY). 19,800 TO BE EXACT. DEALER INDICATES GM WILL NOT AUTHORIZE A FIX AT NO COST UNDER THEIR SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #07187C. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND I FAIL TO SEE HOW HAVING SIMPLE TIME PASSAGE ON A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE IS CAUSE FOR NOT BACKING THE PRODUCT. LOOKS LIKE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND JUST DON'T WANT TO PAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY ARE USING TIME PASSAGE AS A WAY TO SIDE STEP CORRECTING THE ISSUE ON A PART THAT THEY KNOW TO BE DEFECTIVE. A PART THEY KNOW FAILS. A PART THAT PROVIDES THE OPERATOR WITH FEEDBACK SO SAFE OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE MAINTAINED. I DO NOT KNOW THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE, HOWEVER I WAS ON A HIGHWAY IN SNOWY CONDITIONS... *TR
ON 8/13/2014 WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT ON US ROUTE 22 IN MONROEVILLE, PA.; AT ABOUT 30 MPH, MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO LOW GEAR AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO NOT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, ABOUT 2 FEET TO SPARE. PULLED OFF ROAD, OPENED HOOD, MASTER CYLINDER LOW, PUDDLE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. AS I WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE FROM MY FAVORITE MECHANIC AND WAS ON A LEVEL ROAD, I PUT THE 4 WAY FLASHERS ON, LOW GEAR, AND PROCEEDED AT 5 MPH TO THE SERVICE CENTER. ONLY BRAKES I HAD WAS EMERGENCY, NOTHING AT ALL FROM PEDAL ?????? WHAT USE IS A DUAL MASTER WHEN THE LINE TO THE ABS BURSTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS 45K MILES ON THE ODOMETER, IT MAY BE 10 YEARS OLD; BUT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, LOOKS NEW, DRIVES NEW. REPAIR TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD WAS $274.01 BUT; MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT ALL MY LINES WERE BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. I JUST HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINES / FLEX HOSES / AND GEE EVEN THE GAS LINE WERE RUSTING THRU REPLACED AT A COST OF $1323.32. SO I'VE SPENT $1500.00 ON BRAKE / FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT. I AS WELL AS MANY OF MY FRIENDS WERE SHOCKED AT THIS FAILURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DRIVE 50 60 YEAR OLD TRIUMPH SPORTS CARS WITH ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES. NEVER HAVE I EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY AT 65 OR 70 AND NEEDED TO STOP I'D PROBABLY BE DEAD, AS WELL AS WHOEVER I MAY HAVE HIT IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF FOLKS WITH GM TRUCKS COMPLAINING OF THIS MALADY. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND LEAKING FLUID. BRAKE LINES ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE RUSTED. NO BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND A CAR CUT ME OFF AND I HAD TO STOP SHORT. MY TRUCK'S BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND BUT AFTER PUMPING THEM I WAS ABLE TO JUST STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR THAT CUT ME OFF AND STOPPED. NOTICED BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AFTERWARDS BUT DROVE CAREFULLY. PARKED AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK A FEW HOURS LATER ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ON THE GROUND AS MY BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND WHEN I TURNED ON THE TRUCK I HAD NO BRAKE PRESSURE. HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED/RUSTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED BY CADILLAC SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW AND JUST SPENT OVER $3,000 IN MAY OF 2013 TO HAVE THE TRUCK SERVICED INCLUDING HAVING THE BRAKES REPLACED INCLUDING THE ROTORS. NO MENTION THAT MY BRAKE LINES WERE COMPROMISED AND COULD FAIL. AS I READ IN THE NY TIMES YESTERDAY THAT OTHER GM VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE I WANTED TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND BARRING NEED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
I OWN A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY SANK INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND I HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND MANUAL BREAKING IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (FRONT DRIVER-SIDE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKE LINE WAS FRACTURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,500. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WHERE THE BREAK LINES ACTUALLY RUSTED OUT ??? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY SANK INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKE LINE WAS FRACTURE AND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,315.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
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
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
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU. THIS IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR SINCE THE REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU. *TR
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
THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO TURN.THEN THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. BRAKES ARE LOCKING UP. BUT RIGHT BEFORE ALL THAT HAPPENED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF. ITS NEVER BEEN HIT OR HIT ANYTHING. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN NOV.2012. WE GOT A CARFAX WITH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS CLEAN, I LOOKED FOR RECALLS AND 4 APPEARED, I ALSO CALLED CADILLAC, SPOKE TO A DEALER AND THE WOMAN SAID MY VIN NUMBER HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED, I STATED IT WAS IN 2004 IT WAS RECALLED AND ALL THE THINGS IT WAS RECALLED FOR WAS WHAT WAS HAPPENING NOW..AT TIMES IT WAS MAKING A NOISE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. *TR
I DISCOVERED BROKEN/MISSING EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS AT 107K MILES ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT THEY HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BY OTHER CADILLAC, CHEVY, AND GMC OWNERS WITH THE 6.0L ENGINE. UPON HEARING ABOUT THIS ISSUE I INSPECTED MY VEHICLE TO FIND THAT I HAVE MISSING/BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS TOO. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS EMISSIONS. MANY OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MISSING OR BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS, MANY AT MILEAGES OF LESS THAN 50K. EXHAUST TEMPERATURES AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AVERAGE 1200 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. GASOLINE HAS AN IGNITION TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 500 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. WHEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK OR BECOME MISSING THE SEAL IS COMPROMISED BETWEEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE EXHAUST PORT ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD ALLOWING THESE EXTREMELY HOT EXHAUST GASES TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RATHER THAN THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND SAFELY OUT THE TAILPIPE, WHICH IS ROUTED SAFELY AWAY FROM FLAMMABLE COMPONENTS OR COMPONENTS THAT COULD COMPROMISE VEHICLE HANDLING OR BRAKING IF EXPOSED TO THESE TEMPERATURES FROM NORMAL OPERATION. HEAT SHIELDS AS PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ARE INSTALLED TO SAFELY SHIELD ANY OF THESE COMPONENTS FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURES AS LONG AS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. IN ADDITION THERE ARE OTHER FLUIDS SUCH AS TRANSMISSION FLUID, POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE OIL, THAT WILL ALSO BURN IF EXPOSED TO THESE NORMAL EXHAUST MANIFOLD TEMPERATURES. ALL OF THESE FLUIDS, INCLUDING FUEL LINES, FLOW THROUGH LINES IN AND AROUND THESE MANIFOLDS ROUTED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHOULD THE ENTIRE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BECOME LOOSE BECAUSE OF THE INSUFFICIENT MOUNTING HARDWARE THE RISK OF FIRE BECOME EXPONENTIALLY HIGHER. THERE ARE OTHER CONCERNS SUCH AS CARBON MONOXIDE AND EXCESS POLLUTI. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 ESCALADE EXT AND APPROX. 1 YEAR AGO THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I CONTACTED CADILLAC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY PROBLEM AS THE WARRANTY WAS UP. I JUST READ IN A CAR MAGAZINE THAT MY YEAR OF ESCALADE IS LISTED AS A BAD VEHICLE TO PURCHASE DUE TO SPEEDOMETER BREAKDOWNS. CADILLAC WANTS OVER $500 TO REPAIR THIS AND IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR
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
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.
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
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.
LEFT REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AT THE WHEEL AREA. SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAKAGE. LINES FOR BOTH REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JS
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE REAR SHOCKS SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026