2004 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 22 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 27.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
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 | 4 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10071898 · 2004-04-30 (April 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE BACK AND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE TRUNK AND THE ROAD WHEN THEY PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND INDICATED THAT THE SERVO WASN'T INSTALLED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY, WHICH RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION TO LEAK OIL. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088524 · 2004-08-25 (August 25, 2004)
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT THAT I MIGHT GET "CONFUSED" BY INFORMAITION FURNISHED BY AUTOMAKERS REGARDING SAFETY DEFECTS PERHAPS YOU ARE A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES. YOUR ARROGANCE ASTOUNDS ME.*AK IT APPEARS YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE FDA, A SORRY BUNCH OF DRUG COMPANY PUPPETS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107628 · 2005-01-20 (January 20, 2005)
THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED ON A NEW 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE A SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE ON THE DASH. THERE WAS NO NOISE OR WARNING PRIOR. AFTER THE BEARING SEIZED, THE AXEL SNAPPED AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WHEEL ON WAS THE BRAKE CALIPER. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL, DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. I HAVE HEARD OF WHEEL FAILURES ON CHEVROLET AVALANCHE TRUCK'S ALSO (SAME CHASSIS). MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A COMPONEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127562 · 2005-07-05 (July 5, 2005)
FIRST OCCURANCE: 3/05 NOTICED TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE LIGHT UP IN VEHICLE, WENT TO GAS STATION CHECKED ALL TIRES AND FILLED FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. ONE DAY LATER SAME TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ON, WENT TO TIRE SHOP TO FIX FLAT TIRE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIM HAD THREE HAIR LINE CRACKS IN IT , TOOK RIM TO DEALER AND DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE. SECOND OCCURANCE: 7/05 SAME THING HAPPENS BUT TO FRONT DRIVER SIDE RIM. THE VEHICLE HASN'T EVEN BEEN DRIVEN ENOUGH TO GET A FLAT TIRE LET ALONE A RIM WITH TWO HAIR LINE CRACKS IN IT. DEALER WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBIL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10127562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139277 · 2005-10-11 (October 11, 2005)
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 TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177217 · 2006-12-28 (December 28, 2006)
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WOULD GO INTO GEAR WITH THE IGNITION BEING IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS IN THE VEHICLE THE KEY WAS ON ACCESSORY POSITION, AND THE CHILD PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT, THE REASON THAT YOU CAN PULL THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN CASE YOU NEED TO TOW THE VEHICLE, SO YOU CAN SET IT IN NEUTRAL. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219548 · 2008-02-28 (February 28, 2008)
HAD MY ESCALADE ESV IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR SERVICE ON THE TRANSMISSION, AT 122,000 MY 3RD AND OVERDRIVE BAND BROKE LEAVING ME STRANDING IN GILROY CALIFORNIA, NOT A BAD PLACE REALLY NICE PEOPLE. WROTE A LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF GM, RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE NAMED AMY, AND HERE IS THE DIALOGUE: I AM SORRY THIS HAPPEN WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING, NO WONDER GM IS LOSING MARKET SHARE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 122,558 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240692 · 2008-09-02 (September 2, 2008)
SPEEDOMETER STICKS AND IS NOT ACCURATE. THERE IS A POLICY SET UP TO FIX ONLY THOSE VEHICLES UNDER 70000 MILES. WHY IS MY VEHICLE BEING EXCLUDED? I HAVE 88,000 MILES ON MY 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE DEALER, KEY CADILLAC IN EDINA MINNESOTA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. A BROKEN SPEEDOMETER THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM IS JUSTIFIED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240692 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗