RoadVitals

2008 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
136
Latest Jan 23, 2025
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.
10
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Oct 25, 2007

What this page shows

Our database holds 136 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 136 · page 1 of 6

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 23, 2025

Truck goes into limp mode, reduced power, stuck in second gear, stabilitrak and engine lights. Took it to the Cadillac dealership and after 3100 dollars in repairs the truck is still doing it. If the high level techs can’t figure it out after 2000 in labor it’s should be a recall item.

NHTSA ID
11637896
Incident
Jan 22, 2025
Filed Nov 23, 2024

Oil pump car shuts off while idling

NHTSA ID
11626970
Incident
Nov 5, 2024
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 14, 2023

Tire size 285/45r22 got into freeway this morning and the outer sidewall just separated on the lr tire no warning, tires looked good 7/32 tread left even wear and tire pressure was correct. The other tires look good on the outside but so did the one that came apart the car has tpms and the tires were never run low or had any repairs. The outside tread block at the sidewall peeled off the tire

NHTSA ID
11511752
Incident
Mar 14, 2023
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 31, 2022

Well driving, fuel indications went out and car started to do rough idling with poorer fuel economy. Upon inspection, wiring harness by driveshaft on the driver side got caught in the driveshaft and destroyed wiring.

NHTSA ID
11459146
Incident
Mar 14, 2022
Airbags
Filed Sep 14, 2021
Crash reported

Side Impact air bags did not deployed on side impact. Available for inspection. Got hit from the side and air bags did not deployed. Driver did not received protection from the crash. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Vehicle was seen by the police at the crash site. The component has not been inspected. There were no warning signs or messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Became aware of the air bag deployment failure after the side impact crash.

NHTSA ID
11432877
Incident
Sep 13, 2021
EngineSuspension
Filed Aug 5, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, the "Service Traction Control" and "Service Stabili-trak" message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was informed by the auction that the failure was due to the low air pressure on the driver’s side rear tire. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the steering wheel locked-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that no issues were found. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated once. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic who diagnosed that the oil sensor and oil pressure switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 165,286.

NHTSA ID
11427929
Incident
Mar 31, 2021
Mileage
165,286 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2021

I STARTED MY VEHICLE ONE AFTERNOON TO A TAPPING SOUND DINING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CHECKED MY OIL, WHICH WAS GOOD THEN SCHEDULE TO HAVE MY TRUCK LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC. HE STARTED THAT THE LIFTERS AND BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS CHANGED REGULARLY SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC RECOMMEND A TREATMENT THAT WOULD GIVE ME TIME TO SAVE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ENGINE. I NOW HEAR THAT ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THESE MASSIVE BILL OF A PART THAT WAS PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. MY VEHICLE IS STILL TAPPING AND IS NOW STARTING A SLIGHT JERK WHILE DRIVING AND A DELAY WHEN STARTING UP.

NHTSA ID
11390704
Incident
May 14, 2020
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 2021

REMEDY FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS TAKEN WAY TOO LONG BECAUSE OF GM FIGHTING IT. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING AND UNSAFE FEELING EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY AFFECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE REMEDY SOON!

NHTSA ID
11389281
Incident
Jan 21, 2021
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2020
Fire reported

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS TREMBLING FOR A MONTH PRIOR TO THE LIGHT. THEN PEPBOYS COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. RESET ELECTRICAL PANEL. A WEEK LATER BRAKE STABILIZER LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO OCEAN CADILLAC IN MIAMI. THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING, KNOCKING AND ABOUT TO GO ON FIRE. IT LOST PRESSURE AND I CALLED INSURANCE FLATBED.. AFTER FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND $1200 LATER.. PICKED UP AND DROVE OFF. 15 MINUTES LATER ENGINE VIBRATING & SMOKING AS SERVICE DEPT CLOSED. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER CAR, AND SAID FUEL PUMP BLOWN OUT FROM ENGINE MALFUCTION.. OTHER OWNERS, SAME MODEL, TOLD ,ME A COMMON PROBLEM THAT GM REPAIRS FOR FREE SINCE ON RECALL. THE DELEARSHIP NOW SAYS 4,000 BILL TO FIX THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM WHO DOES NOT ANSWER THE PHONE. TWO MONTHS GOING BACK AND FORTH THE DELEARSHIP AND NO MORE MONEY TO GIVE 4,000 TO THE ENGINE WHICH IS ON RECALL & RESPONSIBILITY OF GM MOTORS.

NHTSA ID
11377772
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
95,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 24, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. HANLEES DAVIS CHEVROLET (4989 CHILES RD, DAVIS, CA 95618) WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11376134
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Nov 24, 2020
Crash reported

AIRBAG RECALL: MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. EX: BEEN IN A COUPLE COLLISIONS AND NO RESPONSE FROM BAGS.

NHTSA ID
11376091
Incident
Apr 21, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 24, 2020

WAITING ON FOLLOWUP TO THIS RECALL SINCE 2016 BUT THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T HAVE A REMEDY YET FOR THIS AIRBAGS THAT POSE A SAFETY RISK OF BURSTING OVERTIME. MY VEHICLE IS MY DAILY DRIVER SO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. I SAW IN THE NEWS ABOUT THIS TODAY SO AM FOLLOWING UP ON THE RECALLS.

NHTSA ID
11376081
Incident
Nov 23, 2020
Airbags
Filed Nov 23, 2020

I SAW ON TV THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG. I CALLED 866-982-2339. TO SEE WHEN THEY COULD REPAIR. REPLACE MY AIRBAGS. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO CHECK WITH NH TSH. SO I AM FILING A COMPLAINT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THEY WANT TO HELP ME. THEY GAVE ME THE RUN-AROUND THEY CUT ME OFF FOUR TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE FOR OVER AN HOUR WITH NO SUCCESS.

NHTSA ID
11376052
Incident
Nov 23, 2020
Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER RED NOLAND CADILLAC INC. (990 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 177,000.

NHTSA ID
11363013
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
Mileage
177,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 28, 2020

PURCHASED 4 BRAND NEW LEXANI THIRTY TIRES WITH WHEELS, AND LESS THAT 200 MILES THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY TIRE BLEW OUT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WAITED 3 WEEKS FOR NEW TIRE TO COME, AND LESS THAN A WEEK THE NEW TIRE AND ALSO ANOTHER TIRE HAS CHUNKS COMING OFF OF THEM.

NHTSA ID
11361446
Incident
Sep 20, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 1, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MOORE CADILLAC LOCATED AT 9177 W. BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11352455
Incident
May 27, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 24, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON START OF HIS VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11350949
Incident
Aug 10, 2020
Mileage
180,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 4, 2020

ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS THE ACCELERATOR HAS STUCK AND ACCELERATED. ONLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE GRADUALLY BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A STOP WITH ENGINE STILL REVVING. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT STOPPED AND DROVE NORMAL. AFTER PARKING AND STARTING UP THE ENGINE AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AGAIN FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES. AFTER LETTING THE TRUCK SIT FOR 2 DAYS IT RAN FINE TOT HE MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I DRIVE ON MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND ROADS WITH STEEP CLIFFS SO NO FUN FIGHTING THIS BIG TRUCK UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, NOT TO MENTION MY BRAKES WERE BURNING UP

NHTSA ID
11343167
Incident
Jul 25, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 16, 2020

I HAVE A RECALL NOTICE BUT THE DEALER STATES THAT GM SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAGS AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM! I'VE WRITTEN TO GM AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE FROM "CUSTOMER SERVICE" WHO TOLD ME THAT CADILLAC SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY AIR BAGS. IN THE MEANTIME MY CAR HAS A RECALL WHICH HAS REFLECTED IN SUCH A LOW TRADE IN VALUE THAT I CAN'T EVEN SELL MY CAR. NOW THE LIGHT IS ON THAT SAYS TO "SERVICE AIR BAGS" AND CADILLAC WANTS TO CHARGE ME OVER $1300 TO "SERVICE" THE AIR BAGS THEY WON'T REPLACE. SINCE WE LIVE IN FLORIDA, WHERE IT'S HOT AND HUMID, THE CONDITIONS MAKE IT EVEN MORE LIKELY THAT THE PROPELLANT CAN DEGRADE AND IF DEPLOYED CAN CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY. AND SINCE BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ELDERLY AND DISABLED, THIS CAUSES EVEN MORE CONCERNS.

NHTSA ID
11339786
Incident
Sep 23, 2019
Mileage
45,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 29, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL DEALERS, INCLUDING CADILLAC OF NORWOOD LOCATED AT 700 PROVIDENCE HWY, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781) 762-5900, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11331583
Incident
Jun 29, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 1, 2020

HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO FAIL AND GO OUT DUE TO LACK OF PROPER DESIGN. CONSTANTLY GETTING MOISTURE INSIDE OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326721
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
107,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 24, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11319122
Incident
May 27, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 20, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. (LINDSAY CADILLAC OF ALEXANDRIA 1525 KENWOOD AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302 (703) 935-4445) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11310389
Incident
May 27, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 20, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:16V383000 (AIR BAG). THE CONTACT CALLED LINDSAY CADILLAC OF ALEXANDRIA 1525 KENWOOD AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302 WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED BY THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11310329
Incident
Dec 11, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 3, 2020

WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST 5=6 YEARS THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. AFTER MANY CALLS WITH THE SAME ANSWER WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE ARE TOLD THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT NO REMEDY. WE RECENTLY TRIED TO SELL THE CAR BUT SINCE IT HAD THE AIR BAG PROBLEM, THE VALUE WAS GREATLY IMPACTED. IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB AND NO ONE AT CADILLAC OR GMC CARES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11306712
Incident
May 31, 2016

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