AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2008 Cadillac Escalade Esv
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Esv, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1,157 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 4 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 5 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 6 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 7 |
| Oct 2017 | 2 | 9 |
| Nov 2017 | 3 | 12 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 13 |
| Feb 2018 | 2 | 15 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 16 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 17 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags1266.7%
- Driver assistance211.1%
- Electrical211.1%
- Engine15.6%
- Powertrain (other)15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION(ODI) DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-010, GM PROVIDED ODI WITH 41 ALLEGATIONS OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES INCLUDING 16 ALLEGATIONS OF FIRES ORIGINATING WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.ONE OF THE FIRES WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY AN ARSON EVENT.ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED 5 REPORTS, 4 OF WHICH ARE OF DUPLICATIVE OF REPORTS PROVIDED BY GM, ALLEGING NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN TOTAL, ODI IS AWARE OF 41 NON-CRASHENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT ARE UNRELATED TO ARSON.EIGHT OF THE 41 FIRE ALLEGATIONS ALSO ALLEGE PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRES.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-010) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED NON-CRASH RELATED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TAKATA RECALL. I CONTACTED GUARANTY CHEVROLET IN SANTA ANA CA AND TUSTIN CADILLAC TO HAVE MY TAKATA AIR BAG REPLCED AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE PARTS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11118647
- Incident
- Jun 4, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS RECALL? MY 2008 CADILLAC IS IN LIMBO AS GM DRAGS ITS FEET WITH PETITIONS TO AVOID THE WHOLE ISSUE. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE, I HAVE IMPORTED THIS VEHICLE INTO CANADA AND CAN NOT REGISTER OR LEGALLY DRIVE IT UNTIL ALL OF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. DOES ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAVE ANY POWER TO MAKE AN AUTO MANUFACTURER COMPLY WITH A RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER?THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WITH NO RESOLUTION AS YET. FRUSTRATING AND VERY DISAPPOINTING.
- NHTSA ID
- 11102207
- Incident
- Jun 15, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CADILLAC OF NAPERVILLE AT (630) 355-2700 LOCATED AT 1507 OGDEN AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540 WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11072940
- Incident
- May 27, 2016
SERVICE STABILITRAK THAT PROCEED INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER. NORMALLY WHILE STEERING THE PROBLEM WILL DROP UP. I HAVE GONE TWICE INTO GM/CADILLAC DEALERS AND THEY INCAPABLE OF FIXING IT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11072121
- Incident
- Feb 2, 2018
- Mileage
- 60 mi
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS CADILLAC, 374 SYLVAN AVE, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ 07632) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11051707
- Incident
- May 31, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BRITAIN CHEVROLET CADILLAC AT (903) 274-4401 (4495 I-30 FRONTAGE RD, GREENVILLE, TX 75402) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE/PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11048757
- Incident
- May 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (KENT COUNTY MOTORS, 2181 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11044295
- Incident
- May 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CADILLAC OF NEW ORLEANS AT (504) 885-3000 (3100 LIME ST, METAIRIE, LA 70006) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE/PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11044105
- Incident
- Jul 16, 2016
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 42.7 |
| 2024 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 60.9 |
| 2023 | 73 | 4 | 3 | 66.3 |
| 2022 | 52 | 4 | 3 | 63.9 |
| 2021 | 65 | 10 | 4 | 71.6 |
| 2020 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 2019 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 56.2 |
| 2017 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2016 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2015 | 8 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 2014 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2011 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 59.3 |
| 2010 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2009 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 2008Viewing | 17 | 4 | 3 | 55.7 |
| 2007 | 39 | 4 | 3 | 58.8 |
| 2006 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 41.3 |
| 2004 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 42.7 |
| 2003 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 36.5 |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.