RoadVitals

2010 Cadillac Escalade Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
38
Latest Mar 13, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Cadillac Escalade, 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

  • Airbags2147.7%
  • Electrical613.6%
  • Engine36.8%
  • Other / unspecified36.8%
  • Exterior lighting24.5%
  • Interior & seats24.5%
  • Brakes24.5%
  • Tires & wheels24.5%
  • Body & structure12.3%
  • Transmission12.3%
  • Driver assistance12.3%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED IMPERIAL VALLEY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (602 WAKE AVE, EL CENTRO, CA 92243) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NEITHER HAD THE TOOLS NOR THE PROCEDURE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER NUMBER HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11404990 · filed Mar 26, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MICHAEL CADILLAC (5787 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11403575 · filed Mar 17, 2021
All 21 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Tubo problema en k a lus derecha delantera l

NHTSA ID 11724236 · filed Mar 13, 2026

My son was driving home from work down Highway 288 in Houston and the car just died and did not start. The door locks were going up and down like it was trying to reset and lock the car. I had it fixed and they said it was the fuel pump was out. We had the fuel pump fixed and a new battery put in. Would this cause it to loose power immediately and the door locks to go crazy?

NHTSA ID 11560641 · filed Dec 18, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated with an abnormal sound. The contact changed the spark plugs, wires and coils however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the lifters to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ID 11418274 · filed May 24, 2021

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SHRED OFF CAUSING ENGINE MISFIRE. LEADING TO A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. MECH. SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS ON ALL THE GM OF A SIMILAR DESIGN, AT HIGHWAY SPEED DON'T NOTICE THE ROUGHNESS. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AND CAN REALLY FEEL THE CYLINDER MISS FIRING. FAULT CODE SAID NUMBER WAS MIS-FIRING. *TR

NHTSA ID 11324215 · filed May 11, 2020

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRES LOSING AIR DUE TO POOR CHROMING PROCESS, AKA PAINT ON RIMS, FAKE CHROME PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON INSIDE OF RIMS, (SINCE GM DOESN'T LIKE TO RUSTCOAT ANY OF THEIR PARTS TO SAVE A COUPLE $) CAUSING TIRES NOT TO SEAL TO RIM, AS WELL VALVE STEM HOLE IS NO LONGER ROUND DUE TO FLAKING PAINT AND AIR IS ESCAPING HERE AS WELL. THIS COULD LEAD TO TIRE BLOWOUTS AND PROBABLY HAS, AND WAS PROBABLY BLAMED ON THE TIRE OR ROAD HAZARDS THAT WEREN'T THERE.

NHTSA ID 10953825 · filed Feb 10, 2017

TIRES LOSING AIR DUE TO POOR CHROMING PROCESS, AKA PAINT ON RIMS, FAKE CHROME PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON INSIDE OF RIMS, (SINCE GM DOESN'T LIKE TO RUSTCOAT ANY OF THEIR PARTS TO SAVE A COUPLE $) CAUSING TIRES NOT TO SEAL TO RIM, AS WELL VALVE STEM HOLE IS NO LONGER ROUND DUE TO FLAKING PAINT AND AIR IS ESCAPING HERE AS WELL. THIS COULD LEAD TO TIRE BLOWOUTS AND PROBABLY HAS, AND WAS PROBABLY BLAMED ON THE TIRE OR ROAD HAZARDS THAT WEREN'T THERE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND CADILLAC AND THEY ONLY THINK THEIR PARTS SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS EXTRA WARRANTY YOU PAY FOR. SO 3 YEARS. AFTER THAT, ALL PARTS ARE OK TO FAIL IN THEIR EYES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10678167 · filed Jan 21, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Tubo problema en k a lus derecha delantera l

NHTSA ID 11724236 · filed Mar 13, 2026

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THESE "BLUE" LIGHTS MANY TIMES WHILE TRAVELING. THEY ARE VERY VERY HARD TO SEE INTO FROM THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND A WHILE AND AM SURPRISED THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DISCONTINUES. I KEEP THINKING TO MY SELF, "WHAT IF ALL VEHICLES HAD THESE?" WE WOULD HAVE A LOT MORE CRASHES. I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING THEM OFF THE AUTO COMPANIES THAT ARE SELLING THEM. IT'S GOOD FOR THE DRIVER BUT BAD FOR THE ON COMING VEHICLES. PLEASE CONSIDER RESENDING THESE BLUE LIGHTS ON CARS AND TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10308890 · filed Feb 12, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SEAT DROPPED BACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT FAILED TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 09/21/16.*JB

NHTSA ID 10893074 · filed Aug 4, 2016

SECOND LEMON FROM THE TEXAS PLANT. FIRST WAS 07 GMC YUKON WITH MASSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS NEW CADILLAC, ALSO MADE IN ARLINGTON, HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE SAME REAR PASS DOOR, DOOR LATCH, WINDOW SEALS AND WARPED DOOR FRAME. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. BOTH AUTO RUNNING BOARD MOTORS HAVE NEEDED REPLACING AND PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED OUT SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES ALL 8 LIFTERS IN THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING AND NOW THE TRUCK IS SLUGGISH AND "OUT OF SYNC". THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES AND REQUIRED AN ENTIRE NEW HVAC SYSTEM, NEW HOSES, MOUNTS, VENTS ETC. THE FRONT PASS LEATHER SEAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY. THE PAINT IN SEVERAL AREAS HAS FLAKED AND HAS BEEN TO THE BODY SHOP THREE X'S FOR PAINT REPAIR. GM HAS BEEN FORCED TO TAKE IT BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW IN CALIF. BACK TO BACK PROBLEMS FROM THE TEXAS PLANT ON SEPARATE GM PRODUCTS, BOTH BRAND NEW AND DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES PER YEAR. NEVER BUY ANYTHING BUILT IN THE TEXAS PLANT, THERE SEEMS TO BE BIG ISSUES THERE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10471789 · filed Aug 21, 2012

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Tubo problema en k a lus derecha delantera l

NHTSA ID 11724236 · filed Mar 13, 2026

SOMETIMES WHILE BRAKING IT NEEDS MUCH MORE FORCE, MEANING I HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN. ALSO IT FEELS LIKE THEY STICK AT TIMES. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2015-2018 FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT MAY GO BACK FURTHER.

NHTSA ID 11378411 · filed Dec 8, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Escalade equipped with Uniroyal Tires, Tire Line: PAW Touring, Tire Size: 285/45/R22, DOT Number: (Unavailable). The contact stated that upon inspection, it was discovered that all four tires had experienced tread separation and the steel belts were exposed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 9,000.

NHTSA ID 11530836 · filed Jul 7, 2023

TIRES LOSING AIR DUE TO POOR CHROMING PROCESS, AKA PAINT ON RIMS, FAKE CHROME PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON INSIDE OF RIMS, (SINCE GM DOESN'T LIKE TO RUSTCOAT ANY OF THEIR PARTS TO SAVE A COUPLE $) CAUSING TIRES NOT TO SEAL TO RIM, AS WELL VALVE STEM HOLE IS NO LONGER ROUND DUE TO FLAKING PAINT AND AIR IS ESCAPING HERE AS WELL. THIS COULD LEAD TO TIRE BLOWOUTS AND PROBABLY HAS, AND WAS PROBABLY BLAMED ON THE TIRE OR ROAD HAZARDS THAT WEREN'T THERE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND CADILLAC AND THEY ONLY THINK THEIR PARTS SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS EXTRA WARRANTY YOU PAY FOR. SO 3 YEARS. AFTER THAT, ALL PARTS ARE OK TO FAIL IN THEIR EYES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10678167 · filed Jan 21, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SECOND LEMON FROM THE TEXAS PLANT. FIRST WAS 07 GMC YUKON WITH MASSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS NEW CADILLAC, ALSO MADE IN ARLINGTON, HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE SAME REAR PASS DOOR, DOOR LATCH, WINDOW SEALS AND WARPED DOOR FRAME. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. BOTH AUTO RUNNING BOARD MOTORS HAVE NEEDED REPLACING AND PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED OUT SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES ALL 8 LIFTERS IN THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING AND NOW THE TRUCK IS SLUGGISH AND "OUT OF SYNC". THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES AND REQUIRED AN ENTIRE NEW HVAC SYSTEM, NEW HOSES, MOUNTS, VENTS ETC. THE FRONT PASS LEATHER SEAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY. THE PAINT IN SEVERAL AREAS HAS FLAKED AND HAS BEEN TO THE BODY SHOP THREE X'S FOR PAINT REPAIR. GM HAS BEEN FORCED TO TAKE IT BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW IN CALIF. BACK TO BACK PROBLEMS FROM THE TEXAS PLANT ON SEPARATE GM PRODUCTS, BOTH BRAND NEW AND DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES PER YEAR. NEVER BUY ANYTHING BUILT IN THE TEXAS PLANT, THERE SEEMS TO BE BIG ISSUES THERE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10471789 · filed Aug 21, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED IMPERIAL VALLEY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (602 WAKE AVE, EL CENTRO, CA 92243) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NEITHER HAD THE TOOLS NOR THE PROCEDURE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER NUMBER HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11404990 · filed Mar 26, 2021

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SOMETIMES WHILE BRAKING IT NEEDS MUCH MORE FORCE, MEANING I HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN. ALSO IT FEELS LIKE THEY STICK AT TIMES. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2015-2018 FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT MAY GO BACK FURTHER.

NHTSA ID 11378411 · filed Dec 8, 2020

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

Data on this page last refreshed .