RoadVitals

1999 Cadillac Escalade

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.
39
Latest Jan 10, 2016
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.
5
Latest Oct 24, 2007
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.
4
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.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, most frequently naming the brakes, suspension and tires & wheels categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 104 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

  • Brakes817.8%
  • Suspension613.3%
  • Tires & wheels48.9%
  • Engine36.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning36.7%
  • Fuel system36.7%
  • Electrical36.7%
  • Transmission24.4%

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

5 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

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE05020ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

Opened Apr 28, 2005
Closed Sep 13, 2005

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WEST VIRGINIA.THE RECALL PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE REMOVING THE SENSOR, CLEANING THE MOUNTING SURFACE, APPLYING A RUST INHIBITOR (ZINC-X) TO THE SURFACE, AND REINSTALLING THE SENSOR.IF NECESSARY, THE SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED. THE POPULATION AND FAILURE REPORT DATA GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE FOR THE FULL REGION THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ODI AS THE SALT-BELT.THAT INCLUDES DELAWARE, IOWA, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN ADDITION TO THE 14 STATES INCLUDED IN 05V-379.THE STATES COVERED BY GM'S RECALL HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT CONDITION, ACCOUNTING FOR 91% OF THE INCIDENTS, BUT ONLY 24% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES.ODI'S ANALYSIS DETERMINED THAT 840 OF THE COMPLAINTS, 244 OF THE CRASHES, AND 16 OF THE INJURIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS INVESTIGATION OCCURRED IN THOSE STATES.THE RESULTING INCIDENT AND CRASH RATES ARE 96.2 AND 28.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY (NOTE:RATES ARE BASED ON VEHICLE SALES, NOT REGISTERED VEHICLES). THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS IN THE EXCLUDED PORTIONS OF THE SALT-BELT ARE 399,000 VEHICLES, 81 INCIDENTS (20.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 3 CRASHES, AND NO INJURIES.THE STATISTICS IN THE REMAINING 30 STATES ARE 2,406,000 VEHICLES, 168 INCIDENTS (7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), 31 CRASHES, AND ONE INJURY.GM AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE IN STATES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM WILL PROVIDE ODI WITH UPDATED COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT, AND WARRANTY DATA IN NOVEMBER 2005.ODI AND GM WILL REVIEW THAT DATA AND ASSESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE RECALL AT THAT TIME.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULELed to recall 05V379000
EA02015ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

Opened Aug 1, 2002
Closed Jan 12, 2004

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN OPERATOR MAY APPLY ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE TO INCREASE ENGINE SPEED.THE APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE, TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE, MAY OPEN THE THROTTLE VALVE MORE THAN INTENDED AND, IN TURN, ACCELERATE THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MORE THAN INTENDED AND REASONABLY EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER.ON AUGUST 1, 2002, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), OPENED THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT TWO FACTORS MAY CAUSE THE DEFECT: 1) TB MANUFACTURING PROCESS PROBLEMS; AND 2) ACCUMULATION OF DEPOSITS (A PCV SYSTEM BY-PRODUCT) ON OR AROUND THE TB THROTTLE VALVE AND BORE.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE TB PERFORMS IN A DEFECTIVE MANNER AFTER ANALYZING GM?S DATA SUBMISSIONS, AND TEST DATA COLLECTED BY THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER (VRTC).FIFTY-NINE CRASHES ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF GM?S TB DEFECT.THE MAJORITY OF THE CRASHES INVOLVE A SINGLE VEHICLE, ENGAGING IN A CLOSE QUARTER VEHICLE MANEUVER (OR LOW SPEED), AND CAUSING ONLY MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OUT OF THE FIFTY-NINE CRASHES INVOLVE INJURY, AND THOSE INJURIES WERE MINOR.ALTHOUGH GM?S TB IS DEFECTIVE, BASED ON THE EVIDENCE GATHERED, ODI HAS FOUND THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE REQUIRED TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE IS NEGLIGIBLE, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE DOES NOT STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.THEREFORE THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA02-015) WILL BE CLOSED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE TB COMPONENT AND TESTING, PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE02021ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Feb 11, 2002
Closed Aug 1, 2002

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA01018ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

Opened Dec 20, 2001
Closed Dec 9, 2002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2016

I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH MY FRONT STEERING, I CAN'T KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. IT KEEPS DARTING TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT.I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. I THINK THAT CADILLAC SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ID
10819190
Incident
Dec 30, 2015
Mileage
135,598 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 25, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,409.

NHTSA ID
10639046
Incident
Sep 2, 2014
Mileage
155,409 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 27, 2010

THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS OF SPEED CONTROL FAILURE OCCURRED TODAY. WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SET TO ABOUT 65MPH, THE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE FIRST TIME. UPON BRAKING A SECOND TIME, IT DID DISENGAGE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE CONTROL WAS SET TO ABOUT 55MPH AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AFTER REPEATED BRAKING EFFORTS. IT WAS DISENGAGED MANUALLY AND NOT USED SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10372620
Incident
Dec 27, 2010
Mileage
185,230 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2010
Crash reported

I HAVE 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE WITH ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS IS DUE TO CORROSION BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND WHEEL HUB HOUSING. GM REPLACED MANY OF THESE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS IN CANADA. WELL I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, WITH SALTED ROADS. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WENT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND ASKED THEM TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST, AND THEIR ANSWER WAS NO. NOW I HAVE HIT MY GARAGE DOOR TWICE, AND THE BACK OF MY GARAGE WALL ONCE. MY FATHER HAS A 2000 YUKON DENALI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO REAL, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM... *TR

NHTSA ID
10349202
Incident
Aug 13, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 24, 2010

I OWN A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. IT HAS 110,000 APPROXIMATE MILES. FOR THE LAST FEW HUNDRED MILES, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH STOPPING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. NEARLY RUNNING INTO MY GARAGE, AND OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTINGLY, THEN GOES OFF. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY FRIENDS/ RELATIVES THAT THERE WHERE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, AND PROBLEMS WITH THE GM BRAKING SYSTEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE SEVICE MANAGER AT DAVID TAYLOR CADILLAC. ON 03/24/2010. HE SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON OR FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10321840
Incident
Mar 24, 2010
Mileage
108,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jan 11, 2010
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER. SHE ALSO WAS BURNED ON THE BACK OF HER LEGS. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND GET OUT THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT WARMER MELTED THE LEATHER SEATS. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN UPDATED 02/22/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10298973
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 31, 2008

THE HOOD FLUTTERS TERRIBLY BEGINNING AROUND 40MPH AND GETS INCREASING WORSE AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES FURTHER. I NOTICED THIS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WASN'T A PROBLEM BUT JUST THE NATURE OF THAT YEARS MODEL 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE, WHICH I STILL HAVE AND IT STILL FLUTTERS AND WOBBLES AS THOUGH ITS GETTING READY TO FLY OFF ITS HINGES!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10247372
Incident
Oct 15, 1999
Mileage
500 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 2006

I OWN A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE, I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR CRASHES DUE TO THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM NOT WORKING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER THERE IS A SELECTIVE RECALL 05V329000 THIS RECALL IS FOR SALT STATES AND ONLY CERTAIN MODELS. HE TOLD ME MY CADILLAC WAS NOT ONE OF THE MODELS, AND DID NOT KNOW IF PENNA WAS ON THE LIST. I SEE THIS AS A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE, AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV IS NOT LISTED WITH OTHER SUV'S AND I DEFINITELY LIVE IN A SALT STATE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10153334
Incident
Mar 21, 2006

Manufacturer communications

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

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

04-06-04-051F

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

05-00-89-072E

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

This service bulletin provides the technician with additional information on fuels, fuel additives and fuel management.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

N202307080 01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Update Bulletin (Labor Codes Added). Certain vehicles may have a condition where the engine control module (ECM) software allows the Auto Stop to occur at a state of charge below 65%. Auto Stop is supposed to be inhibited at 65% to protect against excessive battery wear and discharge. Dealers are to reprogram the ECM.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026153053.6
2025141147.6
2024432360.4
20231254363.8
2022734371.3
2021609471.6
2020132065.2
2019250052.5
2018211044.5
2017502052.8
2016884163.5
2015959162.8
2014202162.2
2013174156.1
2012203155.3
2011496151.1
2010383149.6
2009585155.3
20081364358.1
20072304363.4
2006192041.5
2005434056.3
2004694056.9
2003816156.6
20021153363.7
2001313
2000714362.2
1999Viewing395461.5

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.