2008 Cadillac Escalade Ext Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 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
- Airbags947.4%
- Electrical421.1%
- Interior & seats315.8%
- Body & structure210.5%
- Exterior lighting15.3%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The infotainment display displayed a message indicating that the air bags were off, potentially compromising vehicle safety. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the repair might cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he would have to sign a waiver to ensure that the dealer would not be held responsible for any damages to the vehicle. The manufacturer was then notified of the issue and confirmed that the dealer would not be held responsible for any cracks or damages to the dashboard. The contact declined to sign the waiver and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost of the dashboard because of the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED FROM POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND STARTED FIRE.
IM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTINGS ON THE TRUCK JUST GOING OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND UNWANTED TICKETS. PLEASE HANDLE THIS ASAP. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED FROM POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND STARTED FIRE.
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED. *TR
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
IM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTINGS ON THE TRUCK JUST GOING OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND UNWANTED TICKETS. PLEASE HANDLE THIS ASAP. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .