Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Cadillac Escalade submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
At speeds of 50 mph and above, my vehicle does the death wobble. Any time I hit a tiny crack in the road, going higher speeds. The person that sold he this car knew it did not pass emissions in September 2024 and I bought it in November 2024. A dealership checked car fax for me after I bought it. And this person rolled back the odometer also. I found this out after I purchased it.
so when I give it some gas the blower Moter for the ac /heat with go Fater then when the rpms go down the fan goes down with it same with the lights they flicker. i had changed the brake pads an rotors an blew compressed air on the caliper an seen a pin hole on the rubber seal.
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER AND CANNOT GET IT INSPECTED DUE TO THE ISSUES WITH THE ABS AND STEERING SENSORS.REPLACED ABS MODULE AND AM STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH IT. THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT AS IS AND THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY KIND OF WARRANTY AND HAD ME SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT STATING SO.WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO FUEL UP AND HIT THE BRAKES AND COULD BARELY GET IT STOPPED.FOUND A LOT OF BAD BRAKE LINES AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON
DURING ROUTINE REPAIR WORK TRANSMISSION LINES, BREAK LINES AND POWER STEERING LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE ROTTEN OR BADLY LEAKING. IN ADDITION, FUEL PUMP, REAR BACKING PLATES AND POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ROT.
2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE WITH 45,104 MILES. 2ND OWNER. HAD TO PANIC STOP ON LOCAL HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING WRONG WAY ON THE RAMP. HAD A TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLE TO RIGHT OF RAMP AND AGGRESSIVELY APPLY BRAKES TO AVOID ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 15-25 MPH. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PULSATED AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSING TO FLOOR. CONTINUED TO PROCEED AND BRAKES AGAIN GOING TO FLOOR. DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES FAILED AND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE, COMPLETELY EMPTYING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING LOSS OF FRONT AND REAR BRAKE SYSTEMS. WAS ABLE TO PROCEED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE SINCE HOME WAS WITHIN A MILE AND HALF. AT HOME, FILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER IN DRIVEWAY AND DID STATIONARY TEST OF SYSTEM. ENGINE STARTED, BRAKES AGAIN GO TO FLOOR AND MASSIVE BRAKE LEAK OCCURRED ON DRIVER'S SIDE BY LEADING EDGE OF FRONT DOOR AT TRUCK FRAME SPILLING FLUID ON GROUND AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER/EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAVE READ IN NEW YORK TIMES THIS IS AN ISSUE ON GM LIGHT TRUCKS AND GM REFUSES TO RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
ON 8/13/2014 WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT ON US ROUTE 22 IN MONROEVILLE, PA.; AT ABOUT 30 MPH, MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO LOW GEAR AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO NOT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, ABOUT 2 FEET TO SPARE. PULLED OFF ROAD, OPENED HOOD, MASTER CYLINDER LOW, PUDDLE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. AS I WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE FROM MY FAVORITE MECHANIC AND WAS ON A LEVEL ROAD, I PUT THE 4 WAY FLASHERS ON, LOW GEAR, AND PROCEEDED AT 5 MPH TO THE SERVICE CENTER. ONLY BRAKES I HAD WAS EMERGENCY, NOTHING AT ALL FROM PEDAL ?????? WHAT USE IS A DUAL MASTER WHEN THE LINE TO THE ABS BURSTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS 45K MILES ON THE ODOMETER, IT MAY BE 10 YEARS OLD; BUT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, LOOKS NEW, DRIVES NEW. REPAIR TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD WAS $274.01 BUT; MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT ALL MY LINES WERE BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. I JUST HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINES / FLEX HOSES / AND GEE EVEN THE GAS LINE WERE RUSTING THRU REPLACED AT A COST OF $1323.32. SO I'VE SPENT $1500.00 ON BRAKE / FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT. I AS WELL AS MANY OF MY FRIENDS WERE SHOCKED AT THIS FAILURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DRIVE 50 60 YEAR OLD TRIUMPH SPORTS CARS WITH ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES. NEVER HAVE I EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY AT 65 OR 70 AND NEEDED TO STOP I'D PROBABLY BE DEAD, AS WELL AS WHOEVER I MAY HAVE HIT IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF FOLKS WITH GM TRUCKS COMPLAINING OF THIS MALADY. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND LEAKING FLUID. BRAKE LINES ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE RUSTED. NO BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND A CAR CUT ME OFF AND I HAD TO STOP SHORT. MY TRUCK'S BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND BUT AFTER PUMPING THEM I WAS ABLE TO JUST STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR THAT CUT ME OFF AND STOPPED. NOTICED BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AFTERWARDS BUT DROVE CAREFULLY. PARKED AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK A FEW HOURS LATER ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ON THE GROUND AS MY BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND WHEN I TURNED ON THE TRUCK I HAD NO BRAKE PRESSURE. HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED/RUSTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED BY CADILLAC SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW AND JUST SPENT OVER $3,000 IN MAY OF 2013 TO HAVE THE TRUCK SERVICED INCLUDING HAVING THE BRAKES REPLACED INCLUDING THE ROTORS. NO MENTION THAT MY BRAKE LINES WERE COMPROMISED AND COULD FAIL. AS I READ IN THE NY TIMES YESTERDAY THAT OTHER GM VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE I WANTED TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED. *TR
I OWN A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY SANK INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND I HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND MANUAL BREAKING IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (FRONT DRIVER-SIDE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKE LINE WAS FRACTURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,500. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WHERE THE BREAK LINES ACTUALLY RUSTED OUT ??? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY SANK INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKE LINE WAS FRACTURE AND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,315.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED BEHIND THE ABS CLAMPS, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/04/13*LJ UPDATED 12/9/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHICH LOCATED THE BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 12/118/13*CN ALSO, THE FUEL LINES RUSTED OUT, ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. UPDATED 12.24.13
I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I KEPT PUMPING THEM AND DOWNSHIFTED TO COME TO A STOP. UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM PASSENGER REAR (ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE). SEEMS THAT LINE IS CORRODED. I'VE NEVER HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND FOR THE PRICE I PAID, THIS IS UNCALLED FOR. *TR
A CAR TRAVELING DIRECTLY IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN A TRAFFIC CHANGED TO YELLOW, TRAVELING WEST ON LEESBURG PIKE (VA-286) NEAR STERLING VA. TOWING A TRAILER, I HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID REAR ENDING. THE BRAKES INITIALLY WORKED NORMALLY, AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. THEN THE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FIREWALL AND WARNING LIGHTS & MESSAGES APPEARED. I SOUNDED THE HORN AND THE CAR IN FRONT MOVED TO GIVE ME SPACE TO COMPLETE THE STOP UNDER MANUAL BRAKING, WHICH IS PRONE TO SKIDDING WITHOUT MODULATION OR TRACTION CONTROL. ONCE GETTING THE TRUCK TO A SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE HAD BURST, AND THAT ALL THE LINES SUFFERED HEAVY CORROSION. I'VE READ THERE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATION OF BRAKE LINE CORROSION ON GM TRUCKS, IT SEEMS MINE IS AFFECTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
MY WIFE HAD JUST LEFT THE PARKING LOT APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP SHE WENT THROUGH THE RESD LIGHT AND COASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. LUCKILY SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AFTER CHECKING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE TOWARDS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED, CORRODED, AND LEAKING EVERY TIME THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE A FIFTY YEAR OLD VEHICLE I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY THING LIKE THIS IN ALL MY LIFE. I THOUGHT BRAKE LINES WERE MADE TO OUT LAST THE VEHICLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT A GROWING NUMBER OF SUV OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THEN SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, I JUST NEED MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED WITH GENUINE PARTS. *TR
2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND COASTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED, TO THE POINT OF CORROSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE BOOST VALVE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
WHEN BRAKING AT 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK *NM
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .