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2004 Cadillac Escalade

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 47.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

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 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2025
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11637676

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI #11498643

186,000 miles · Jun 9, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSuspension

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 A…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11218809

96,959 miles · May 3, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesSteering

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.

NHTSA ODI #11091648

45,104 miles · Oct 17, 2017
Service Brakes

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 FOLLO…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11034021

44,177 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Service Brakes

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 UN…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10637685

75,445 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Service Brakes

DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND LEAKING FLUID. BRAKE LINES ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE RUSTED. NO BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615122

99,982 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Service Brakes

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10609358

187,500 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Service Brakes

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10577834

49,315 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Service Brakes

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 CON…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10566351

Official recalls

2

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

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.