2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TWO OTHER ESCALADE OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR WHO ARE NEIGHBORS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER SPENDS AROUND AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE YOUR SPEED. *TR
2004 Cadillac Escalade complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
I STOPPED AT THE POST OFFICE WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I PUT THE ESCALADE IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN IT. A LADY NEXT TO MY CAR SAID SHE HEARD THE VEHICLE MAKE A NOISE AND POPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. THE ESCALADE WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISE FROM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS IT WAS BACKING UP. THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A PARKED CAR. *TR
BAD LEASE ON 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AT PURCHASE AND WAS NOT TOLD AND WANTS A REIMBURSEMENT**CC THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE COMPLAINED OF THE POORLY DESIGNED LEATHER SEATS. THE SEATS WERE FRAYED. THE CD P LAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE DISCS. THE CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PAINT PEELING. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MIRROR LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB. (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF COMPLAINTS). *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 100 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF HE WERE AT A STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 120 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY STOPPED REGISTERING ANY SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE.*AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING TURNS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND FILLED IT WITH GREASE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT HEATER ELECTRICALLY SHOCKED THE PASSENGER RESULTING IN SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO REPLACED THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE BACK SUPPORT OF THE SEAT.
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 IN
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING DEFECTIVE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE HORN. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM 4 TIMES. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAD A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE, THE SIZE OF A PENCIL. THE SPEED THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING WAS ABOUT 35 MPH. THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT HAD A GM REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE TIRE. THE REPRESENTATIVE HAD PLENTY OF EXCUSES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION THAT WAS SATISFACTORY. THE CONTACT WAS A SAFETY ENGINEER AND DEALT IN THE TIRE INDUSTRY. HE KNEW THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE RIPPED ALL AROUND AND INTO THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A SMOOTH DIRT ROAD. THE LOCATION WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE.*AK
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 THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CALLED GM, AND THEY WILL NOT CALL THE CONSUMER BACK. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AT THIS POINT. THE CONSUMER HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES. *JB *SC
DT: THE VEHICLE HAS ONSTAR THAT DOESNT WORK. THE OWNER HAS FILED 29 COMPLAINTS WITH THE DEALER AND ONSTAR. CAR IS NOW AT DEALERSHIP. *AK
INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC AUTO ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLE. HIT IN FRONT PASSENGER & FRONT PART OF VEHICLE (BY RADIATOR AREA) AT HIGH SPEED. EST.SPEED APPROX. 45-55 MPH WITH NO SKID MARKS, OTHER VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT HIT US. NEW GM/ESCALADE-SUV/"04-WITH 11,000 MILES, BOUGHT NEW DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, WITH APPARENT SERIOUS FRAME DAMAGE/BENT 12 IN. AND FOUND STRESS CRK. SHOULD GIVE AN IDEA HIGH SPEED OTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING. 8-10 SECONDS FROM IMPACT, ONSTAR CAME ON AUTOMATICALLY, THEY RECD. EMERGENCY MESSAGE VIA SATELLITE, VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A SERIOUS MVA AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WE DIDN'T CALL ONSTAR THEY CALLED US. NEXT DAY WE CALLED ASKED HOW THEY KNEW WE WERE ACCIDENT. TOLD US DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY, THEY GET CERTAIN SIGNALS, WHICH OURS HAD ADVISED OF SERIOUSNESS & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. UNBELIEVABLY, NONE OF OUR 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE & HUNDREDS OF OUR FRIENDS ARE IN TOTAL DISBELIEF WHEN YOU SEE THE CONDITION VEIHICLE WAS LEFT IN & THAT 4 AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WE WERE INJURED BUT BY GRACE OF GOD INJURIES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING. HEAD,UPPERANDLOWERBACK,NECK,LEGS,SHOULDER,HIPSAND ARMS EXTREMLEY SORE. HAS BEEN 33 DAYS SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND AM STILL FEELING PAINS & SERIOUS HEADACHES BUT ALIVE. HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME ADVOCATES AND REPORT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT TO POSSIBLY SAFE A PERSON(S) LIFE AND MAKE GENERAL MOTORS AWARE THAT THEY HAVE A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THEIR AIR BAGS, LEADING TO MASSIVE RECALL AND POSSIBLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IF NOT FIXED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. AN
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 SYSTEM. TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS SEVERAL BULLETINS REGARDING THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ELECTRIC SYSTEMS, BUT DEALER DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL.*AK
THE TRUCK HAS HAD A VIBRATION THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY WHEN THE TRUCK REACHES A SPEED BETWEEN 76-78 MPH. THE DEALER HAS MADE 5 ATTEMPTS THUS FAR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM INCLUDING CHANGING THE TIRES & BALANCING THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES TO NOI AVAIL
WHEN BRAKING AT 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK *NM
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT PRODUCED A WHININNING NOISE. DEALER REPAIRED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
THE NEW MODEL YEAR 03 AND 04 CADILLAC ESCALADE SUVS HAVE TOO HIGHLY MOUNTED AND POORLY DESIGNED AND OR MIS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS CAUSING BLINDING GLARE TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS IN FRONT OF THESE VEHICLES. THE EXCESSIVELY GLARING LIGHT CAUSED EYE PAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
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
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade → · Every Escalade year → · How the figures are calculated →