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2005 Cadillac Escalade

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 47.5.

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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

30 reports with mileage · 13 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. 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.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2026
Air Bags

The check air bag light stays on and will not go off. The light stays on with the seatbelt on or off.

NHTSA ODI #11755197

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND HAS REMAINED ON. IT IS ON WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING. IT NEVER GOES OFF. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR ANYTHING TO CAUSE IT TO COME ON. I FEAR THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING FAULTY HAPPEN WHILE I DRIVE. ALSO I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FUELING MY 2005 ESCALADE. IT WILL ONLY LET ME PUT IN $1.00 MAYBE …

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND HAS REMAINED ON. IT IS ON WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING. IT NEVER GOES OFF. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR ANYTHING TO CAUSE IT TO COME ON. I FEAR THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING FAULTY HAPPEN WHILE I DRIVE. ALSO I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FUELING MY 2005 ESCALADE. IT WILL ONLY LET ME PUT IN $1.00 MAYBE $1.50 AT A TIME AND THE PUMP WILL KICK OFF. I'VE EVEN HAD GAS SPILL OUT WHILE THIS IS OCCURRING. THE GAS SPILL HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS ALMOST EMPTY. SO IT WASN'T OVERFILL. ALSO, MY AIR CONDITIONER, AT TIMES WILL JUST GET HOT WHILE DRIVING. IF I STOP AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE AIR WILL RETURN TO COLD. AND IT SMELLS LIKE BURNING WIRES. I HAVE BEEN ROUTINELY LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THROUGH THIS WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #11288292

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2018
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND SAYS CHECK AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI #11129309

64,977 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,977.

NHTSA ODI #10915892

77,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10762401

180,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED SHOWING THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS U…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED SHOWING THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746323

180,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10663397

151,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

MY SERVICE AIRBAG CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING, THAN EARLIER THIS YEAR MY AIRRIDE CONTROL WENT OUT AIR COMPRESSOR AND SHOCKS , IN FEB MY REAR BOLTS ON THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE LOOSE LEAKING FLUID , MY REAR SEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR MY SON 8 YEARS GET STUCK, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS HOT ON ONE SIDE AND COLD ON THE OTH…

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MY SERVICE AIRBAG CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING, THAN EARLIER THIS YEAR MY AIRRIDE CONTROL WENT OUT AIR COMPRESSOR AND SHOCKS , IN FEB MY REAR BOLTS ON THE DRIVE SHAFT WERE LOOSE LEAKING FLUID , MY REAR SEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING FOR MY SON 8 YEARS GET STUCK, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS HOT ON ONE SIDE AND COLD ON THE OTHER CADILLAC CHANGED OUT A MODULE THREE MONTHS LATER. IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING BUT I WON'T TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN ALL THE OTHER STUFF STARTING HAPPENING REAR BOLTS LOSE LOST MASSIVE FLUID THEN THE AIR RIDE WENT OUT AIR COMPRESSOR AND SHOCKS. WHEN WE OPENED THE AIR COMPRESSOR UP IT WAS RUSTED AS IF IT HAD NOT WORKED IN YEARS SO I TRULY BELIEVE THAT SEWELLE CADILLAC DAMAGED MY SUV EVERYTHING BUT THE AIR ON ONE SIDE WAS GETTING HOT NOT TO MENTION THEY HAD MY TRUCK FOR OVER 7HRS AS I WAITED IN THE LOBBY LAST YEAR LOST MY ONE OF MY HUBS THE INTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE VIDEO PLAYER WENT OUT IN 2007 . MY VEHICLE STAYS ON WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPEN AND THE KEY IS OFF AND OUT OF THE IGNITION THE INSIDE LIGHT SWITCH COMES ON SOMETIMES AND THIS TRUCK IS ALMOST PAID BUT ITS A LOT OF MONEY FOR ALL THESE THINGS TO GO WRONG. THERE IS A LOT MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482369

1,850 miles · Mar 10, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

HAD A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS 4 WEEKS OLD AND HAD 1850 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS GIVEN AN AIRBAG HISTORY LESSON VIA TELEPHONE FROM SOMEONE THAT HAD NEVER SEEN MY VEHICLE OR INSPECTED IT FOR DAMAGE AFTER THE ACC…

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HAD A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS 4 WEEKS OLD AND HAD 1850 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS GIVEN AN AIRBAG HISTORY LESSON VIA TELEPHONE FROM SOMEONE THAT HAD NEVER SEEN MY VEHICLE OR INSPECTED IT FOR DAMAGE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. AT THE END OF OUR CONVERSATION I WAS TOLD ALL WAS OK, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE WAS KNOCKED OFF, THE FRAME HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS AND IS BENT AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION AND THE COLLISION CENTER IS 90% CERTAIN THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152376

15,000 miles · Nov 23, 2005
Air BagsEquipmentCrashInjury

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. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143566

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.

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.