2004 Cadillac ESCALADE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
84,489 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 69 complaints (24.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 30.4% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Service Brakes: 17; Electrical System: 15; Air Bags: 7; Unknown Or Other: 5; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Seats: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 8; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 5; 2011: 4; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2022: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10050311 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH DRIVER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE POWER BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AND VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STATED PISTON ROD WENT THROUGH THE OIL PAN. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090312 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
WHEN BRAKING AT 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,466 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081489 · 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT PRODUCED A WHININNING NOISE. DEALER REPAIRED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136307 · 2005-09-13 (September 13, 2005)
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 T…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124581 · 2005-06-08 (June 8, 2005)
DT: PROBLEM WAS NOTICED IN 5/05 WHEN KEY WAS TURNED ON, NO LIGHT CAME ON REGARDING THE STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION. WAS PUT ON DIAGNOSTICS, BUT NO ERROR CODE SHOWED. OWNER MANUAL STATED THE LIGHT WILL COME ON BRIEFLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THEN DISAPPEAR. IF THE LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON, THEN STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION MAY NEED SERVICE. THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED IN APRIL, WHEN RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRIC FUNCTIONS FAILED. ALSO, THE LOW PSI LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE REPAIR OF ELECTRIC SYSTE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332707 · 2010-05-28 (May 28, 2010)
I PURCHASED A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE IN MARCH 2010, HOWEVER SOON AFTER PURCHASE MY WATER PUMP HAD A LEAK WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULDN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, A MONTH LATER WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP MY VEHICLE THE REVERSE DID NOT WORK MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE NO REVERSE I HAVE CONTACT CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY ACT LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION GAUGE INSIDE VEHICLE IS PASS THE LIMIT LINE OVER HEATING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 84,489 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543222 · 2013-09-12 (September 12, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHICH LOCATED THE BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 12/118/13*CN ALSO, THE FUEL LINES RUSTED OUT, ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. UPDATED 12.24.13…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11091648 · 2018-05-03 (May 3, 2018)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,959 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345068 · 2010-07-24 (July 24, 2010)
MY 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE WANTS TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE SYSTEM IS RESETTING ITS SELF, CAUSING MY CAR TO STALL, THE ALTERNATOR GAUGE IS FLUCTUATING BACK AND FORTH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,821 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554721 · 2013-12-03 (December 3, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10377039 · 2011-01-18 (January 18, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. A PENNY FEEL BETWEEN THE CONSOLE AND THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRING. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE WIRING AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER SHOULD BE LOCATED IN A DIFFERENT POSITION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377039 at NHTSA ↗