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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.

About this comparison →
14Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
12
200322
200414
20055
200639
200717
2008
Compare all Escalade Esv years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Service Brakes
3Power Train
2Air Bags
1Engine
1
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

1 reports
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83,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO COAST. THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY, BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO COAST. THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY, BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $3,200. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECEIVE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FAILED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,050. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE TIRES BLEW OUT. UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10256451

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.