2010 Cadillac ESCALADE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
82,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 38 complaints (55.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 21 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
Air Bags: 21; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 22 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 8; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2023: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 10308890 · 2010-02-12 (February 12, 2010)
I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THESE "BLUE" LIGHTS MANY TIMES WHILE TRAVELING. THEY ARE VERY VERY HARD TO SEE INTO FROM THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND A WHILE AND AM SURPRISED THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DISCONTINUES. I KEEP THINKING TO MY SELF, "WHAT IF ALL VEHICLES HAD THESE?" WE WOULD HAVE A LOT MORE CRASHES. I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING THEM OFF THE AUTO COMPANIES THAT ARE SELLING THEM. IT'S GOOD FOR THE DRIVER BUT BAD FOR THE ON COMING VEHICLES. PLEASE CONSIDER RESENDING THESE BLUE LIGHTS ON CARS AND TRUCKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10308890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402542 · 2011-05-24 (May 24, 2011)
2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE WAS DELIVERED TO THE FIRST RETAIL CUSTOMER BY A FRANCHISED GENERAL MOTORS DEALER WITH OUT THE OWNER MANUAL AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING SAFETY AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON JANUARY 21, 2011. TO DATE GM HAS FAILED TO SUPPLY THE REQUESTED OWNERS MANUAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471789 · 2012-08-21 (August 21, 2012)
SECOND LEMON FROM THE TEXAS PLANT. FIRST WAS 07 GMC YUKON WITH MASSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS NEW CADILLAC, ALSO MADE IN ARLINGTON, HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE SAME REAR PASS DOOR, DOOR LATCH, WINDOW SEALS AND WARPED DOOR FRAME. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. BOTH AUTO RUNNING BOARD MOTORS HAVE NEEDED REPLACING AND PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED OUT SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES ALL 8 LIFTERS IN THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING AND NOW THE TRUCK IS SLUGGISH AND "OUT OF SYNC". THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AFTER A…
Owner-reported narrative. 95 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10578231 · 2014-04-08 (April 8, 2014)
VEHICLE STOPS AND SHUTS OFF WHEN TRAVELING I TOOK EVERY THING OFF THE KEYCHAIN AND EVERY THING GOT BETTER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10678167 · 2015-01-21 (January 21, 2015)
TIRES LOSING AIR DUE TO POOR CHROMING PROCESS, AKA PAINT ON RIMS, FAKE CHROME PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON INSIDE OF RIMS, (SINCE GM DOESN'T LIKE TO RUSTCOAT ANY OF THEIR PARTS TO SAVE A COUPLE $) CAUSING TIRES NOT TO SEAL TO RIM, AS WELL VALVE STEM HOLE IS NO LONGER ROUND DUE TO FLAKING PAINT AND AIR IS ESCAPING HERE AS WELL. THIS COULD LEAD TO TIRE BLOWOUTS AND PROBABLY HAS, AND WAS PROBABLY BLAMED ON THE TIRE OR ROAD HAZARDS THAT WEREN'T THERE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND CADILLAC AND THEY ONLY THINK THEIR PARTS SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS EXTRA WARRANTY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10678167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10724842 · 2015-06-11 (June 11, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL TAPPING SOUND WHICH WOULD BECOME LOUDER AS THE SPEED WAS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10724842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10730361 · 2015-06-25 (June 25, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AT ONCE AND THE DOORS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10893074 · 2016-08-04 (August 4, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SEAT DROPPED BACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT FAILED TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 09/21/16.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10893074 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V050000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V053000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
NHTSA campaign record ↗