RoadVitals

2004 Cadillac Escalade Ext

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
11
Latest Aug 10, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 17, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade Ext, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 112 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical535.7%
  • Brakes321.4%
  • Fuel system17.1%
  • Other / unspecified17.1%
  • Suspension17.1%
  • Airbags17.1%
  • Transmission17.1%
  • Engine17.1%

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

2 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.gov
04V129000

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Mar 17, 2004
3,662,211 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
The risk: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 04007View on NHTSA.gov
04V045000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Feb 4, 2004
68,875 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
The risk: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
The remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 04004View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10747573
Incident
Jul 27, 2015
Mileage
142,270 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 18, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID
10667123
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 8, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10559095
Incident
Jan 10, 2013
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2013

THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU. THIS IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR SINCE THE REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED THRU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10533994
Incident
Aug 5, 2013
Mileage
119,200 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 2, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10505456
Incident
Apr 2, 2013
Mileage
107,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10501189
Incident
Jul 13, 2011
Mileage
106,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2012

LEFT REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AT THE WHEEL AREA. SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAKAGE. LINES FOR BOTH REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ID
10458347
Incident
May 8, 2012
Mileage
111,054 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 2010

PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE - VEHICLE TRIES TO START THEN STOPS FIRING. PASSLOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND CANNOT START VEHICLE FOR 10 - 20 MINUTES. THIS HAS OCCURRED 7 TIMES IN 15 MONTHS BEGINNING AT 55K MILES. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER REPAIRS ARE NOT PERMANENT. THESE REPAIRS RANGE FROM REPLACING IGNITION CYLINDERS TO SECURITY MODULES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10320454
Incident
Mar 17, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DOR-K5Y9W-11

AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

All applicable vehicle applications are without Electronic Accessory Control System option. This communication is to return unsold inventory because some product sold in 2016 may not have coil harness wound in a centered condition as an assembly aid. If installer does not center the rotations of the assembly during replacement process in accordance with applicable AllData service and repair procedure, post-install turning of the steering wheel will trigger the air bag warning light of the vehicle.

PIC5953A

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact.

PIP5226A

EQUIPMENT

THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT FINDING NEEDLE BEARINGS DURING AN OIL CHANGE. TECHNICIAN WILL GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROLLER ROCKERS TO INSPECT THEM. ONLY REPLACE THE ROLLER ROCKER THAT IS MISSING NEEDLE BEARINGS. BE SURE TO CLEAN THE OIL DRAINS TO RETRIEVE THE NEEDLE BEARINGS. EACH ROLLER ROCKER HAS 66 BEARINGS.

03-08-46-004R

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)

06-06-01-010C

ENGINE

This informational bulletin provides information on close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period.

PIP5232B

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about gasoline powered cars, mid-size trucks, light duty trucks, and heavy duty trucks with premature catalytic converter failures. It is recommended to inspect for a poor crimp on the grounds ring terminal at the engine block for the bank with the concern and repair the wire.

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

Cadillac Escalade Ext by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2013131—
2012131—
2011341—
2010131—
2009351—
2008144361.8
2007165358.9
2006010—
2005510—
2004Viewing112044.1
2003152052.2
2002221147.5

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.