RoadVitals

2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Oct 6, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical527.8%
  • Brakes422.2%
  • Fuel system15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%
  • Exterior lighting15.6%
  • Powertrain (other)15.6%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Tires & wheels15.6%
  • Airbags15.6%
  • Transmission15.6%
  • Engine15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that each time the doors were manually locked or unlocked, the vehicle started and turned off. The alarm alert warning light and the tire pressure monitor warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical system malfunctioned, and the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The steering column was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Jiffy Luke where it was diagnosed and determined that the cause was related to the electrical system. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

NHTSA ID 11548629 · filed Oct 6, 2023

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SINCE THE DAY BEFORE. IT WAS NOT POWERED ON IN ANYWAY, NOR WAS ANYTHING PLUGGED IN INSIDE. IN THE EARLY MORNING WE WERE MADE AWARE BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AREA AND THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED QUICKLY AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. THE FIRE REPORT STATED: IGNITION - D1 AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN: VEHICLE AREA, OTHER D2 HEAT SOURCE: HEAT FROM POWERED EQUIPMENT, OTHER D3 ITEM FIRST IGNITED: OTHER CAUSE OF IGNITION - FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO IGNITION - ELECTRICAL FAILURE, MALFUNCTION, OTHER HUMAN FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO IGNITION - NONE

NHTSA ID 11124518 · filed Sep 5, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FEBRUARY 14, 2016 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR UPON APPROACHING 60 THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO LOSE POWER SO I STEERED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND HIT THE ONSTAR BUTTON TO TELL THEM THAT I WAS LOSING POWER AND THAT WOULD THEY RUN A DIAGNOSTIC THEY STATED THAT WOULD. THEY STATED ALSO WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO CHECK, BRAKING SYSTEM, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION ETC. WHEN THEY CAME BACK ONLINE ME NOT KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY DID CHECK I WAS TOLD THAT ALL WAS A GREEN LIGHT, SO I PROCEED TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY TO WORK, BUT IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. NEVER ONCE DID THEY DIAGNOSTIC ONLY MEANT THAT THEY WAS JUST CHECKING FOR CODES AND IT WAS NOT A TRUE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THEY ALSO NEVER OFFER TO TOW THE VEHICLE HOME OR TO THE DEALER. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND TOOK IT TO THE FIRST MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED AT $500 SOMETHING DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT SO I TOOK IT TO A GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE HYDO-BOOST, PRESSURE HOSES NEEDED REPLACED AT $2600 ALONG ON THE PHONE BACK AND FORTH WITH ON STAR WHICH CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY ON STAR STATED TO ME THAT GM TECH WANTED THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM. SO GM CAME AND PICK THE VEHICLE UP AND TRANSPORTED TO BOMMORITO CADILLAC OF WHICH THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPORT BACK TO ON STAR WHICH STATED THAT THEY WASN'T RESPONSIBLE AND THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT GM SHOULD HANDLE IT FROM HERE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT GM CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH YOU GUY'S AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS WARNED THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM BEFORE AND THEY DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY COMPLAINT THAT THIS ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY NOR THE COST CAUSE THEY NEW THE POTENTIAL OF THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 10850208 · filed Mar 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ONCOMING VEHICLES. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NO BRAKE FLUID WAS PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

NHTSA ID 10762059 · filed Sep 8, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. WE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING OF THE FAULTY FUEL GAUGE SINCE WE LEASED THE CARE AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY BOUGHT IT. IT WILL OCCASIONALLY JUST SHUT OFF WHEN PREVIOUSLY SHOWING A FULL TANK THEN GO TO EMPTY OR ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10398655 · filed May 2, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BUTTON TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN PUSHED BUT THIS TIME IT STAYED ON, IT OVER HEATED AND IT BURNT A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEAT AS I WAS DRIVING... THE PASSENGER HEATED SEAT DOES THE SAME BUT DID NOT BURN HOLE ... *TR

NHTSA ID 10712862 · filed Apr 25, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HID HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN BLINKING TOGETHER ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. STARTED, STOPPED, MOVING, SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER SHUT OFF WAITING FOR DELAY LIGHTING TO TURN OFF. THE LOSS IS MOMENTARY. IT IS MORE CRITICAL ON UNLIT HIGHWAYS AND SIDE STREETS. THEY BLINK ON AND OFF TOGETHER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IN A 4 MONTH WINDOW. ON DRY ROADS, FROM A STOP, STARTING OUT AT 5-20 MPH ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL TURNS ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. AS MOST STOPS OCCUR DIRECTLY PRIOR TO INTERSECTION THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION TO PLACE THE DRIVER WITH A GAS PEDDLE THAT IS BASICALLY INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE CAR IS IN ACTIVE TRACTION MODE AND TAKING OVER THE DRIVE TRAIN. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR OVER A 4 MONTH PERIOD. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO SPEED SENSORS IN FRONT WHEELS BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE THEM. THEY MADE ME DRIVE FOR 2 WEEKS WITH A CODE RECORDER IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO DO ANY SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10478026 · filed Sep 30, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HID HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN BLINKING TOGETHER ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. STARTED, STOPPED, MOVING, SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER SHUT OFF WAITING FOR DELAY LIGHTING TO TURN OFF. THE LOSS IS MOMENTARY. IT IS MORE CRITICAL ON UNLIT HIGHWAYS AND SIDE STREETS. THEY BLINK ON AND OFF TOGETHER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IN A 4 MONTH WINDOW. ON DRY ROADS, FROM A STOP, STARTING OUT AT 5-20 MPH ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL TURNS ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. AS MOST STOPS OCCUR DIRECTLY PRIOR TO INTERSECTION THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION TO PLACE THE DRIVER WITH A GAS PEDDLE THAT IS BASICALLY INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE CAR IS IN ACTIVE TRACTION MODE AND TAKING OVER THE DRIVE TRAIN. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR OVER A 4 MONTH PERIOD. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO SPEED SENSORS IN FRONT WHEELS BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE THEM. THEY MADE ME DRIVE FOR 2 WEEKS WITH A CODE RECORDER IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO DO ANY SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10478026 · filed Sep 30, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS IS THE EMAIL I SENT TO CADILLAC A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE SEAT BELT HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE DANGER STILL EXIST. MY SON IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE; NEARLY RESULTING IN WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL STRANGULATION. HERE IS THE EMAIL: I AM CONTACTING CADILLAC TO REPORT A PROBLEM I'VE EXPERIENCED WITH YOUR SEATBELTS. I HAVE AN 05 ESCALADE ESV AND MY SON WAS IN THE BACKSEAT SLEEPING AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET THE SEATBELT WRAPPED AROUND HIS NECK. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WITH HOPES THAT IT WOULD LOOSEN UP SO I COULD GET IT OFF BUT IT ONLY BECAME TIGHTER THE MORE I WORKED TO GET IT OFF. AT THE POINT WHERE HE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME BREATHING AND STARTED TURNING PURPLE I HAD MY HUSBAND OBTAIN SCISSORS AND WE HAD TO CUT IT OFF. MY SONS NECK IS NOW CUT AND BRUISED FROM THE SEATBELT. IS THIS HOW ALL THE SEATBELTS IN YOUR CARS WORK (DOESN'T LOOSEN UP EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS OFF) HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET SCISSORS TO FREE HIM THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE SAME OUTCOME. THE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE SEAT BELT UNTIL SAID IT WAS "COMPLETELY LOCKED AND AGREED THAT IF WE HADN'T CUT IT THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO RELEASE IT. I ALSO HAVE PHOTOS OF MY SONS NECK DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS SOONER BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO REPORT IT TO UNTIL I WAS INFORMED OF THIS WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10321057 · filed Mar 19, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO COAST. THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY, BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $3,200. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECEIVE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FAILED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,050. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE TIRES BLEW OUT. UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

NHTSA ID 10256451 · filed Jan 27, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV.. INTERMITTENT SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH OF THE PROBLEM I FOUND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF SIMILAR GM VEHICLES 2003 TO 2005 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT KNOWING IF YOUR AIR BAG IS WORKING IS A SCARY SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10359652 · filed Oct 8, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO COAST. THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY, BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $3,200. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECEIVE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FAILED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,050. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE TIRES BLEW OUT. UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

NHTSA ID 10256451 · filed Jan 27, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE SHEARING OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING EXHAUST ODOR AND FUMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10470184 · filed Aug 10, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .