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2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
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188,000 miles · Oct 6, 2023
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that each time the doors were manually locked or unlocked, the vehicle started and turned off. The alarm alert warning light and the tire pressure monitor warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that …

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The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that each time the doors were manually locked or unlocked, the vehicle started and turned off. The alarm alert warning light and the tire pressure monitor warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical system malfunctioned, and the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The steering column was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Jiffy Luke where it was diagnosed and determined that the cause was related to the electrical system. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

NHTSA ODI #11548629

128,000 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SINCE THE DAY BEFORE. IT WAS NOT POWERED ON IN ANYWAY, NOR WAS ANYTHING PLUGGED IN INSIDE. IN THE EARLY MORNING WE WERE MADE AWARE BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AREA AND THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIR…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SINCE THE DAY BEFORE. IT WAS NOT POWERED ON IN ANYWAY, NOR WAS ANYTHING PLUGGED IN INSIDE. IN THE EARLY MORNING WE WERE MADE AWARE BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AREA AND THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED QUICKLY AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. THE FIRE REPORT STATED: IGNITION - D1 AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN: VEHICLE AREA, OTHER D2 HEAT SOURCE: HEAT FROM POWERED EQUIPMENT, OTHER D3 ITEM FIRST IGNITED: OTHER CAUSE OF IGNITION - FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO IGNITION - ELECTRICAL FAILURE, MALFUNCTION, OTHER HUMAN FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO IGNITION - NONE

NHTSA ODI #11124518

131,000 miles · Apr 25, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BUTTON TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN PUSHED BUT THIS TIME IT STAYED ON, IT OVER HEATED AND IT BURNT A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEAT AS I WAS DRIVING... THE PASSENGER HEATED SEAT DOES THE SAME BUT DID NOT BURN HOLE ... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712862

95,987 miles · Jan 19, 2009
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER FROZE. WHEN I PULLED ONTO AN EXIT RAMP AN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE GAUGE FEEL TO ZERO BUT WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE THE GAUGE WOULD NOT MOVE, IT STAYED ON ZERO FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY DRIVE. ONSTAR COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO TAKE IT …

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER FROZE. WHEN I PULLED ONTO AN EXIT RAMP AN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE GAUGE FEEL TO ZERO BUT WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE THE GAUGE WOULD NOT MOVE, IT STAYED ON ZERO FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY DRIVE. ONSTAR COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER YET. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR TSB FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255601

15,000 miles · Mar 1, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE DVD PLAYER AND THEN SWITCHING TO THE RADIO, CD OR SATELLITE, THE SPEAKER VOLUME INCREASES TO A DEAFENING LEVEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT A REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10151556

Official recalls

1

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.