EQUIPMENT
1999 Cadillac Escalade
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1999 | 2 | 2 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2000 | 1 | 4 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 6 |
| Apr 2000 | 2 | 8 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 10 |
| Nov 2000 | 1 | 11 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 12 |
| Feb 2001 | 2 | 14 |
| May 2001 | 2 | 16 |
| Mar 2002 | 2 | 18 |
| May 2002 | 2 | 20 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 21 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 22 |
| May 2003 | 2 | 24 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 25 |
| Nov 2003 | 2 | 27 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 28 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 29 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 30 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 31 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 32 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 33 |
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 34 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 35 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 36 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 37 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 38 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 39 |
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.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
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.
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
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.
THROTTLE STICKING
There is no summary currently available
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
This service bulletin provides the technician with additional information on fuels, fuel additives and fuel management.
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.
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.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 2025 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 47.6 |
| 2024 | 43 | 2 | 3 | 60.4 |
| 2023 | 125 | 4 | 3 | 63.8 |
| 2022 | 73 | 4 | 3 | 71.3 |
| 2021 | 60 | 9 | 4 | 71.6 |
| 2020 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2018 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2017 | 50 | 2 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2016 | 88 | 4 | 1 | 63.5 |
| 2015 | 95 | 9 | 1 | 62.8 |
| 2014 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 62.2 |
| 2013 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 56.1 |
| 2012 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2011 | 49 | 6 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 2010 | 38 | 3 | 1 | 49.6 |
| 2009 | 58 | 5 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2008 | 136 | 4 | 3 | 58.1 |
| 2007 | 230 | 4 | 3 | 63.4 |
| 2006 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 41.5 |
| 2005 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2004 | 69 | 4 | 0 | 56.9 |
| 2003 | 81 | 6 | 1 | 56.6 |
| 2002 | 115 | 3 | 3 | 63.7 |
| 2001 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 2000 | 71 | 4 | 3 | 62.2 |
| 1999Viewing | 39 | 5 | 4 | 61.5 |
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.