RoadVitals

2004 Cadillac Escalade Ext 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.
11
Latest Aug 10, 2015
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac Escalade Ext, 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

  • 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.

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

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 · filed Dec 18, 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 · filed Jan 8, 2014

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 10, 2015

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 · filed Aug 7, 2013

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

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 · filed Apr 2, 2013

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 8, 2014

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

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 4, 2013

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

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON/OFF TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALERS THE NEXT MORNING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN THE NEXT WEEK. THERE WAS A PART ORDERED, AND REPLACED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS WOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM, HOWEVER NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. AS OF THIS DATE THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALERS AWAITING REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA ID 10082106 · filed Jul 15, 2004

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

1ST INCIDENT 1) I WAS GOING TO PARK IN A SPOT BETWEEN TWO BUILDING, ONLY LARGE ENOUGH FOR ONE VEHICLE. I CAME DOWN THE ROAD, WHICH HAS A DECLINE TO IT, AND TURNED RIGHT, INTO THE PARKING SPOT. DUE TO THE ROAD BEING 1 WAY, AND THE PARKING SPOT BEING TIGHT, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY INTO THE PARKING SPOT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BACK UP TO GO STRAIGHT INTO THE PARKING SPOT. I PRESSED THE BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. MEANWHILE, A LADY WALKED IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE ON THE SIDEWALK. 2) THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH THE RPMS WERE AT APPROXIMATELY 2200 RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. I HIT THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY HIT THE LADY. SHE WAS FORTUNATELY FINE, AND CONTINUED ON HER WAY. 3) I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS WORKING WITHIN IN DESIGN PARAMETERS. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT COULD BE DONE. I CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER CARE, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SAID AT THE TIME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND CHALKED IT UP TO A FLUKE. 2ND INCIDENT 1) I PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AGAIN WITH A DECLINE. ABOUT 2 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS A CEMENT POST. I CAME OUT, STARTED THE TRUCK, PRESSED THE BRAKE, AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. 2). I PRESSED THE GAS, THE RPMS WERE OVER 2000 RPMS, AND THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN DID NOT REVERSE BUT RATHER ROLLED FORWARD INTO THE CEMENT POST, CRACKING MY FRONT BUMPER. AFTER THAT, THE REVERSE ENGAGED AND THE TRUCK STARTED REVERSING. 3). THE DEALERSHIP CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE, AND IS TELLING ME TO COME PICK IT UP, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED WHAT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THEY DID SOMETHING, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I HAVE CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN, LEFT 3 MESSAGES, AND STILL AHVE NOT HEARD BACK. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIABILITY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ID 10119922 · filed May 5, 2005

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

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 · filed Apr 2, 2013

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 .