2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TWO OTHER ESCALADE OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR WHO ARE NEIGHBORS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER SPENDS AROUND AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE YOUR SPEED. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escalade years →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
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.
What owners actually said
69 reportsI STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I PUT THE ESCALADE IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN IT. A LADY NEXT TO MY CAR SAID SHE HEARD THE VEHICLE MAKE A NOISE AND POPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. THE ESCALADE WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISE FRO…
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I STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I PUT THE ESCALADE IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN IT. A LADY NEXT TO MY CAR SAID SHE HEARD THE VEHICLE MAKE A NOISE AND POPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. THE ESCALADE WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISE FROM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS IT WAS BACKING UP. THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A PARKED CAR. *TR
BAD LEASE ON 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AT PURCHASE AND WAS NOT TOLD AND WANTS A REIMBURSEMENT**CC THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE COMPLAINED OF THE POORLY DESIGNED LEATHER SEATS. THE SEATS WERE FRAYED. THE CD P LAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE DISCS. THE CONSUMER ALSO C…
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BAD LEASE ON 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AT PURCHASE AND WAS NOT TOLD AND WANTS A REIMBURSEMENT**CC THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE COMPLAINED OF THE POORLY DESIGNED LEATHER SEATS. THE SEATS WERE FRAYED. THE CD P LAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE DISCS. THE CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PAINT PEELING. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MIRROR LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB. (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF COMPLAINTS). *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 100 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF HE WERE AT A STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 120 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY STOPPED REGISTERING ANY SPEED. TH…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 100 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF HE WERE AT A STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 120 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY STOPPED REGISTERING ANY SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE.*AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING TURNS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND FILLED IT WITH GREASE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT HEATER ELECTRICALLY SHOCKED THE PASSENGER RESULTING IN SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO REPLACED THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE BACK SUPPORT OF THE SEAT.
ON JULY 16TH, 2005; I WAS INVOLVED IN A LIFE CHANGING, SINGLE VEHICLE AUTO ACCIDENT. I STRUCK A HILL WITH THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH ENOUGH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO FLIP THIS CADILLAC ESCALADE HEAD FIRST. THE ESCALADE FLIPPED TWICE, IMPACTING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND LANDING UP SIDE DOWN. ASTONISHINGLY, OUT OF THE FO…
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ON JULY 16TH, 2005; I WAS INVOLVED IN A LIFE CHANGING, SINGLE VEHICLE AUTO ACCIDENT. I STRUCK A HILL WITH THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH ENOUGH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO FLIP THIS CADILLAC ESCALADE HEAD FIRST. THE ESCALADE FLIPPED TWICE, IMPACTING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND LANDING UP SIDE DOWN. ASTONISHINGLY, OUT OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS IN THIS VEHICLE, NOT ONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. I PURCHASED THIS 2004 ESCALADE BRAND NEW AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IT ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS AND IT IS UTTERLY UNBELIEVABLE THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THE RAVED REVIEWS, CONSUMER REPORTS INCLUDING SAFETY FEATURES, AND STYLISH BODY THAT THIS CADILLAC ESCALADE BECAME THE VEHICLE OF MY DREAMS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY CADILLAC EXPERIENCE. I DO NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE ENOUGH TO GET INTO ANOTHER ONE. I KNOW THAT I AM ONLY HERE BECAUSE GOD DECIDED THE SPARE MY LIFE. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT I FREQUENTLY SUFFER SEVERE MIGRAINES, DIZZY SPELLS, BLURRED VISION, MEMORY LOSS, AND ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS ALL WHICH KEEP ME FROM SLEEPING. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO COMMUTE FROM DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND WORK FOR FEAR OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT. THE NEXT WEEK I HAD SEVERE CHEST, SHOULDER AND LOWER BACK PAINS; ALL OF WHICH I AM BEING TREATED FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS. I ALSO SEEK TREATMENT FROM A NEUROLOGIST FOR THE HEAD INJURY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS AND GM SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER. *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING DEFECTIVE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE HORN. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM 4 TIMES. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAD A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE, THE SIZE OF A PENCIL. THE SPEED THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING WAS ABOUT 35 MPH. THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT HAD A GM REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE TIRE. THE REPRESENTATIVE HAD PLENTY OF EXCUSES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID N…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAD A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE, THE SIZE OF A PENCIL. THE SPEED THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING WAS ABOUT 35 MPH. THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT HAD A GM REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE TIRE. THE REPRESENTATIVE HAD PLENTY OF EXCUSES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION THAT WAS SATISFACTORY. THE CONTACT WAS A SAFETY ENGINEER AND DEALT IN THE TIRE INDUSTRY. HE KNEW THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE RIPPED ALL AROUND AND INTO THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A SMOOTH DIRT ROAD. THE LOCATION WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE.*AK
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE WAS HAVING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED ALONG WITH THE RPMS, THE LEVERS WERE MISREADING THE INFORMATION. THE LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF AND BECAME VERY DIM AND YELLOWISH. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM ALSO. THE INSTRUMENTS ON STEERING WHEEL WERE GET…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE WAS HAVING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED ALONG WITH THE RPMS, THE LEVERS WERE MISREADING THE INFORMATION. THE LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF AND BECAME VERY DIM AND YELLOWISH. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM ALSO. THE INSTRUMENTS ON STEERING WHEEL WERE GETTING VERY WARM, AND THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO, SPECIFICALLY STATED THE CONSUMER. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WAS HAVING PROBLEMS READING INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CALLED GM, AND THEY WILL NOT CALL THE CONSUMER BACK. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AT THIS POINT. THE CONSUMER HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK. *AK
Official recalls
205V163000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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