Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT with NHTSA between 2010 and 2023.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 50
Against the median year of the Cadillac Escalade EXT. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 52
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Cadillac Escalade EXT
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
942.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 71,800 mi
Electrical System
419.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 63,699 mi
Other & Unspecified
29.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 89,500 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
29.5%
Median failure at 35,699 miles
Body & Structure
29.5%
Median failure at 35,699 miles
Seats
14.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 100,000 mi
Lights
14.8%
Median failure at 89,500 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
17.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
646.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
323.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
323.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2010peak 6Sep 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
EA08010Opened 12 Jun 2008Closed 8 Sep 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES...
PE08010Opened 4 Feb 2008Closed 12 Jun 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION(ODI) DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-010, GM PROVIDED ODI WITH 41 ALLEGATIONS OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES INCLUDING 16 ALLEGATIONS OF FIRES ORIGINATING WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.ONE OF THE FIRES WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY AN ARSON EVENT.ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED 5 REPORTS, 4 OF WHICH ARE OF DUPLICATIVE OF REPORTS PROVIDED BY GM, ALLEGING NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN TOTAL, ODI IS AWARE OF 41 NON-CRASHENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES...
Recalls on the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2021026101,593 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Note: For 2009 models listed, this recall only affects vehicles that were imported into Canada, and were originally sold or ever registered in certain areas of the United States that experience high or moderate levels of heat and humidity. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the passenger-front airbag. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.
Recall 20205919,660 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Note: This recall is for vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain areas of the United States that experience high or moderate levels of heat and humidity, and that were subsequently imported into Canada. Affected states: American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), Virginia and West Virginia. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the passenger-front airbag inflator. Note: This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all air
Recall 20163077,809 units in Canada
Airbag
This Safety Improvement Program was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-591. General Motors Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving passenger airbag inflators in vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain areas of the United States that experience high or moderate levels of heat and humidity, and that were subsequently imported into Canada. Dealers will replace the passenger inflator on affected vehicles. Owners who believe their vehicles may have been originally purchased or registered in the states listed below should contact a General Motors dealer. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Affected states: American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), Virginia and West Virginia.
Recall 201018999,000 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles equipped with a Heated Washer Fluid System (HWFS), a short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. A repair was implemented in a recall in 2008, however, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on heated washer fluid system modules after this improvement was installed. This situation may cause some minor distortion, but also could lead to melting of the plastic around the heated washer fluid system, or cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page will be provided and inserted in the Owner Manual to document the removal of the feature.
Recall 200831354,431 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system, a short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This situation may cause other electrical features to malfunction which could cause smoke and in some cases a fire. Correction: Dealer will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesMcminnville, ORFire
SEATS
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED FROM POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND STARTED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11170048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMcminnville, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED FROM POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND STARTED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11170048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, ALCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD A FRONT END COLLISION WITH NO DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11016325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,600 milesJacksonville, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, I HAVE TWO CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON THIS SIDE AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH OF MY FRONT WHEELS WERE DETACHED DUE TO THE IMPACT OF A MID-SIZE MINI VAN AT A RATE OF OVER 40 MILES PER HR. JUST A CAUSE FOR CONCERN SINCE THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE IMPACT. WAS INFORMED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT A SIMILAR MAKE & MODEL HAD BOTH CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOY DUE TO OWNER SIMPLY RUNNING A 6INCH CURB.
NHTSA complaint #10329814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 123,000 milesAliceville, AL
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The infotainment display displayed a message indicating that the air bags were off, potentially compromising vehicle safety. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #11544534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taunton, MA
AIR BAGS
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the repair might cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he would have to sign a waiver to ensure that the dealer would not be held responsible for any damages to the vehicle. The manufacturer was then notified of the issue and confirmed that the dealer would not be held responsible for any cracks or damages to the dashboard. The contact declined to sign the waiver and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost of the dashboard because of the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11445061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMcminnville, ORFire
SEATS
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED FROM POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND STARTED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11170048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMcminnville, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED FROM POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND STARTED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11170048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, AL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE A CREDIT TOWARDS A NEW CADILLAC.
NHTSA complaint #11061028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valencia, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - HAVE BEEN CONTACTING OUR DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE REQUESTING NEW AIRBAGS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN RESPONDING THAT THE RECALL IS STILL NOT REQUIRED, THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS FIGHTING THE RECALL. WE HAVE EVEN STATED THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENTS AND GET A REIMBURSEMENT LATER. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. ARE ON A WAITING LIST. SINCE WE WERE JUST WANTING OUR FREE REPLACEMENTS, WE WERE NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THE BANKRUPTCY. HAD IT ON OUR CALENDAR FOLLOW UP BEFORE 2018. CHECKED THE WEBSITE TODAY, TURNS OUT THE DEADLINE WAS THE 27TH OF DECEMBER. WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN A LAWSUIT. WE JUST WANT OUR CAR TO BE SAFE. WE EVEN ASKED THAT OUR AIRBAGS BE DISCONNECTED UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. ANY HELP POSSIBLE? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11057500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DAVID TAYLOR CADILLAC IN HOUSTON, TEXAS 77074 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11048710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bluffton, SC
AIR BAGS
RECALL ON PARTS WITH NO REMEDY
NHTSA complaint #11047995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, ALCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD A FRONT END COLLISION WITH NO DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11016325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (AUTONATION CADILLAC WEST PALM BEACH LOCATED AT 2101 45TH ST, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33407; (561) 291-6025) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11011997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosharon, TX
AIR BAGS
TAMARA RECALL. SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT FIX THE RECALLED ITEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT PROVIDING THE REPLACEMENT PART. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #11000270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,500 milesChesapeake, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTINGS ON THE TRUCK JUST GOING OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND UNWANTED TICKETS. PLEASE HANDLE THIS ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10560595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,500 milesChesapeake, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTINGS ON THE TRUCK JUST GOING OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND UNWANTED TICKETS. PLEASE HANDLE THIS ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10560595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,500 milesChesapeake, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IM WRITING BECAUSE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTINGS ON THE TRUCK JUST GOING OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND UNWANTED TICKETS. PLEASE HANDLE THIS ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10560595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,500 milesWhitman, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10435072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,898 milesWhitman, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10435073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,500 milesWhitman, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10435072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,898 milesWhitman, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10435073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,500 milesWhitman, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10435072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,898 milesWhitman, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOOR FROM REMOTE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE REAR DRIVER DOOR USING THE REMOTE, THE ELECTRONIC LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC LOCK NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SIGNALS FROM THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR BUTTON AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10435073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,600 milesJacksonville, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, I HAVE TWO CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON THIS SIDE AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH OF MY FRONT WHEELS WERE DETACHED DUE TO THE IMPACT OF A MID-SIZE MINI VAN AT A RATE OF OVER 40 MILES PER HR. JUST A CAUSE FOR CONCERN SINCE THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE IMPACT. WAS INFORMED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT A SIMILAR MAKE & MODEL HAD BOTH CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOY DUE TO OWNER SIMPLY RUNNING A 6INCH CURB.
NHTSA complaint #10329814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.