2007 Cadillac ESCALADE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
230 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 111 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 113 of 230 complaints (49.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 5.7% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 113 |
| Engine | 33 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 15 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Structure:Body | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Suspension | 10 |
Air Bags: 113; Engine: 33; Electrical System: 30; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 15; Power Train: 13; Structure:Body: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Suspension: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 26 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 26 |
| 150,000 and above | 20 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 26; 100,000 to 149,999: 26; 150,000 and above: 20
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 119 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2007: 8; 2008: 4; 2009: 9; 2010: 7; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2013: 8; 2014: 13; 2015: 14; 2016: 19; 2017: 36; 2018: 20; 2019: 34; 2020: 19; 2021: 10; 2022: 4; 2023: 7; 2024: 2; 2025: 5; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 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 10283504 · 2009-09-10 (September 10, 2009)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE WILL 'NEVER' OWN ANOTHER GMAC CADILLAC (COMPANY NAME: MCGINNIS) VEHICLE. WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH, 2009 AND WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE WE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY'S LIVES RIDING IN THIS 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV. GMAC AND MCGINNIS HAVE CREATED AN UNDUE HARDSHIP AND FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S LIVES. YES, WE FEAR FOR OUR LIVES AS A FAMILY WHEN WE ARE IN THIS VEHICLE; IT IS NOT CERTAIN IF WE WILL MAKE IT BACK HOME. GMAC AND MCGINNIS CADILLAC DEALERSHIP KNEW THAT THIS VEHICLE HA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10283504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290668 · 2009-10-28 (October 28, 2009)
2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WITHIN THE 60 DAY PERIOD NOR WAS IT REPAIRED WITHIN 365 DAYS OF THE RECALL NOTICE. DUE TO THE PROBLEM NOT BEING FIXED, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. AND, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AVAILABLE THE DEALERS WERE ALLOWED TO REMOVE THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WIPER FUSE; DISABLING THE SYSTEM. RECALL 08V441000. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10290668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218863 · 2008-02-22 (February 22, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER WOULD LEAK AROUND THE SUNROOF. THE WATER LEAKED INTO THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRAIN HOSE WAS NOT ORIGINALLY INSTALLED; THEREFORE, THEY INSTALLED THE DRAIN HOSE AND REPLACED THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND BEGAN TO SPIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER IT FINISHED SPINNING, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH WHILE DRIVING HOME. THE DEALER STAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350090 · 2010-08-17 (August 17, 2010)
2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE. EXTREME JERKING WHILE DRIVING, WHEN PARKED ON FLAT SURFACE AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE OR DRIVE WOULD JERK LIKE IT WAS ON A STEEP INCLINE. DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING IN FOUR LANES OF DIESEL TRAFFIC GOING 75 AND I DECELERATED TO 65 WITH IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND WITH MY ONLY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND IN THE VEHICLE. HAPPENED JULY 28, 2010, I HAVE BEEN REPORTING PROBLEMS TO THEM SINCE OCTOBER 2009. THEY WOULD DO TRANSMISSION FLUSHES OR CHANGE MODULES WHICH WOULD DO NOTHING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10183211 · 2007-02-21 (February 21, 2007)
BRAKES SQUEAK REALLY LOUD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. PROBLEM KEEP GETTING WORST, UNTIL THE POINT WE DON'T DRIVE IT ANYMORE. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID TO WAIT A MONTH. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 7,215 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199950 · 2007-08-17 (August 17, 2007)
SQUEAKING FROM FRONT LEFT WHEEL...BRAKES RUBBING? TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. FIRST TIME THEY "ADJUSTED" SOMETHING IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. SECOND TIME THEY SAID BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN THAT THEY WOULD PUT NEW ROTORS ON IT WHEN I CAME IN AGAIN, SO I BROUGHT IT IN AND THEN THE 65+ YEAR OLD SERVICE PEOPLE COULDN'T HEAR THE SQUEAK AND MY ORIGINAL SERVICE PERSON WASN'T THERE...SO THEY SAID THEY DID SOMETHING...BUT NOW IT IS WORSE! I AM GLAD TO I SPENT 70K ON A POS! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10199950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261280 · 2009-03-09 (March 9, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY, BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/06/09.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359931 · 2010-10-10 (October 10, 2010)
2007 ESCALADE EXT ,34K MILES. HEAT SHIELD ON EXH MANIFOLD RUSTED THRU MOUNTS , FELL INTO STEERING COLUMN. STEERING LOCKED IN A RT HAND TURN, WENT LOC, VERY HARD JERK ON STEERING WHEEL BROKE IT FREE. CHECKED PASSENGER SIDE, IT HAD ALSO FALLEN OFF BUT DIDN'T CAUSE ANY PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691013 · 2015-02-27 (February 27, 2015)
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY WITH NO ISSUES CAR WILL STALL OUT APPROACHING LIGHTS,STOP SIGNS OR SLOWING DOWN OR LETTING OFF GAS PEDAL.HAS HAPPENED 8-9 TIMES IN LAST WEEK. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR IDLING ISSUES THAT WOULD WARN US OF THE ISSUE. CHANGED BATTERY,CRANKSHAFT SENSOR ,CLEANED THROTTLE BODY, FUEL FILTER ,AND CHANGED OIL. NO CODES SHOW UP ON MECHANICS DIAGNOSTIC METER.I HAVE TAKEN TO ONLINE CADILLAC FORUMS AND LEARNED THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM.VERY UNSETTLING WITH WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 92,255 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10716459 · 2015-05-14 (May 14, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STABILITRAC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILITRAC LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,931.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,931 miles reported. Look up ODI 10716459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10891958 · 2016-08-01 (August 1, 2016)
VEHICLE STALLED OUT IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC IN BOTH MARYLAND, AND INDIANA WHILE I WAS ON VACATION. THIS OCCURRED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN BOTH OCCASIONS THAT WAS PACKED WITH TRAFFIC.THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN HARMFUL TO BOTH ME AND MY FAMILY. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS ,JULY 16TH 2016 AND JULY 22ND 2016.DEALERSHIP AT FIRST COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE FIRST CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN BETHESDA MARYLAND. THE 2ND DEALERSHIP TOOK A WEEK TO CREATE, IDENTIFY, AND HOPEFULL…
Owner-reported narrative. 194,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10891958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11245044 · 2019-08-19 (August 19, 2019)
2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE APPARENTLY WAS BUILT WITH SEVERE CAMSHAFT AND BEARING ISSUE. 1ST. STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND WARNING. STRAIGHT AND LEVEL DRIVING ON CLEAR DRY DAY. THIS IS WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE FULLY AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS FORCED TRANSMISSION/ENGINE INTO LIMP MODE. MCCADDON DEALERSHIP INSTALLED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION COST OVER $8,000---- ISSUE CAME BACK. THEN THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP. THEN THEY REPLACED OIL PUMP WHICH SEEMED TO FIX ISSUE, COST $2084.04. NOW AT 225,000 MILES OIL PRESSURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 220,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245044 at NHTSA ↗