2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 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 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, 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
- Engine517.9%
- Electrical414.3%
- Fuel system414.3%
- Airbags310.7%
- Brakes310.7%
- Driver assistance27.1%
- Body & structure27.1%
- Other / unspecified27.1%
- Powertrain (other)13.6%
- Steering13.6%
- Suspension13.6%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY VEHICLE MADE A NOISE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL MY VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND THE SUSPENSION THE VOLTAGE AND STABILITY READS ACROSS MY INFORMATION SCREEN. IT HAPPENS TO ALL THE TIME WEATHER I'M IN MOTION OR IN PARKED OR JUST SITTING THERE AT A RED LIGHT.
GM MUST RECALL ALL ESCALADE 2009 FOR ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE IN ALL VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR, DUE TO CAM PROBLEMS. GM KNOWS IT, BUT AVOIDING IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WENT TO REPLACE /REPAIR MY VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A 5 MONTH BACK ORDER FOR A HYBRID BATTERY FROM CHINA. IF I HAVE TO WAIT THAT LONG FOR GM TO PRODUCE PARTS THEY SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO USE AN AFTERMARKET PROGRAM AND I'M STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TRUCK. HYBRID IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CAR AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE WITH LIMITED POWER OR NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AT ALL.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HYBRID ESCALADE HAS NO EXTRA POWER IN REQUESTING THAT AFTER PRESS DOWN THE GAS PEDAL TO GET MORE NECESSARY POWER TO ENTRY IN HIGHWAY THE CAR SHOWS SOMETHING IS HOLDING THE CAR. I DO NOT IF NORMAL OR NOT. THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY VEHICLE MADE A NOISE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL MY VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND THE SUSPENSION THE VOLTAGE AND STABILITY READS ACROSS MY INFORMATION SCREEN. IT HAPPENS TO ALL THE TIME WEATHER I'M IN MOTION OR IN PARKED OR JUST SITTING THERE AT A RED LIGHT.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL. MYSELF, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE TAKATA INFLATOR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND GM WILL NOT REPLACE IT.
TAKATA RECALL: THE RECALL WAS INITIATED MAY 2016, IT IS NOW OCTOBER 2017. THE RECALL STILL READS AS "NO REMEDY." I HAVE BEEN TOLD I AM UNABLE TO SELL MY CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I HAVE BEEN WAITING MORE THAN A YEAR TO SELL MY CAR, AND IT CONTINUES TO DEPRECIATE, WHICH IS CREATING A LOSS FOR ME. ADDITIONALLY, I AM UNABLE TO CHOOSE TO DRIVE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. REPLACED THE FLUID AND IT LEAKED OUT AGAIN. CALLED DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT RIGHT IN NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED. PRIOR TOO THAT THERE HAD BEEN OCCASIONAL PROBLEMS RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IT TOOK OVER A WEEK AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY VEHICLE MADE A NOISE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL MY VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND THE SUSPENSION THE VOLTAGE AND STABILITY READS ACROSS MY INFORMATION SCREEN. IT HAPPENS TO ALL THE TIME WEATHER I'M IN MOTION OR IN PARKED OR JUST SITTING THERE AT A RED LIGHT.
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
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
THE TOP CLEAR COAT OF THE PAINT IN THE MIDDLE COLUMNS, BETWEEN THE DOORS, BOTH SIDES, IS PEELING OR GOING OUT. THE CADILLAC DEALER (BROGAN CADILLAC) IN TOTOWA, NJ TOLD ME THAT IS NORMAL, I AM THINKING THEY ARE WRONG, BUT MAYBE I'M WRONG.
2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID SIDE AIRBAGS WENT OFF LATE IN CRASH AND CAUSED MORE INJURY, FRAME DID NOT HOLD DUE TO EXTRA HYBRID WEIGHT, ONSTAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION TW*
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I DRIVE A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID. THE POWER ON THE BRAKES WENT OUT, TO WHERE I ONLY HAD ABOUT 5% BREAKING POWER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS GOING SLOW, SO NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED. THREE ERROR CODES CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD, "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", "SERVICE STABILITRAK", AND "SERVICE BRAKES SOON". I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST CADILLAC DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE LOST MY BREAKS WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, EVERYTHING STARTED UP NORMAL AGAIN AND WORKED AFTER I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED IT BACK ON. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. NOW AFTER THIS INCIDENT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THAT CAR. HAVING MY BRAKES GIVE OUT WHILE DRIVING IS THE MOST SCARY THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO ME AND IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT CAN GO UNRESOLVED. THE WORST PART ABOUT THIS IS AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND FORUMS, OTHER GENERAL MOTORS (GM) HYBRID OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH LOSING THE BREAKING SYSTEM. EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE! SOME HAVE FALLEN UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND HAVE GOTTEN NEW VEHICLES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER BUT I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT. IN THE MEANTIME THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE AIR CONDITIONING GOING OUT OR A MINOR DEFECT, THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION. FROM MY INVESTIGATIONS, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION AND I WONDER WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN SOME KIND OF RECALL. PLEASE GOOGLE SEARCH "GM HYBRID BRAKE ISSUES" AND YOU WILL FIND MANY OTHERS ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP AS NOT ONLY MY LIFE BUT THE LIFE OF OTHERS ARE IN DANGER IF NOTHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS. *KB
2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID SIDE AIRBAGS WENT OFF LATE IN CRASH AND CAUSED MORE INJURY, FRAME DID NOT HOLD DUE TO EXTRA HYBRID WEIGHT, ONSTAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION TW*
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER GOT REDUCED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THE VEHICLE SPEED REDUCED TO ABOUT 30 MPH. THIS ABRUPT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND REDUCTION OF SPEED FROM 70 MPH TO 30 MPH CAUSED NEAR-CRASH CONDITIONS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHERE ALL VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING UNIFORMLY AT 70 MPH, NARROWLY AVOIDING MULTIPLE COLLISIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AT A LAY-BY FOR A FEW MINUTES, EVERYTHING RETURNED BACK TO NORMAL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMING UP INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND RETURNING TO NORMAL BY ITSELF. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE STEERING RACK & PINION (PART NUMBER 20870559). LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I WAS TURNING LEFT TO MANEUVER OUT OF A TIGHT SPOT AND THE VEHICLE CHIMED, GAVE AN ALERT, AND MY STEERING BECAME MANUAL. IT SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE LOCALLY AND HAD TO BE SHIPPED IN FROM CANADA. REPAIRED AND HAD LESS THAN A WEEK AND LOST CONTROL AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING TO LEAVE - SAME PROCESS. WHAT IF I WAS TURNING ON A CURVE GOING 70? WHAT IF I WAS USING CRUISE? WHAT IS I HAD A SHARP CURVE THAT POPPED UP AND I LOST CONTROL? READING SIMILAR RECALLS FROM 2004 AND 2014 OF STEERING ISSUES. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE WAS OVERLOOKED IN THE RECALL AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUES IF NOT DISCOVERED. HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR A MONTH. TOO MANY SIMILARITIES TO THE PREVIOUS RECALLL NOT TO BE INCLUDED!
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 .