52 of the
2,305 complaints filed about the Cadillac Escalade
are about the seats —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
It been twice that I have experienced lifters issues and damage caused to engine because of these. First time I fixed it in a NY mechanic shop because dealer workflow and expecting dates (all lifters, crankshaft, and seals were replaced new), less than 1 year later again the lifters failed (2) but this time ruined my engine. Went to local GM dealership and asked at service department if they could fix it complementary due to all reported lifters issues from GM as we all can see online and rejected my offer. So far vehicle is still not fixed and it’s been 5 months in shop looking ways to see if engine could be solved but have to replaced. Also on the Escalade 2018 the seats (middle seat row and 3rd are really being noisy, I purchased vehicle 3 years ago with about 80K miles but these seats are not fully locked in the bottom and metal with metal makes sounds on bumps and bricks streets. When purchased I used to take vehicle to dealer but actually it continues with issues and I just lost confidence and pricing and turnaround were not convenient. Unfortunately, the 2018 Escalade is the worst vehicle decision I have made in my life. When told service manager that I couldn’t believe how a 2018 vehicle was failing engine and again, he told me he has seen 2024 so it shouldn’t be surprising. More to say but will keep simple
NHTSA complaint #11695716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver seat has randomly started moving while driving most recently moving further back away from the steering wheel making it difficult to reach the break and gas. Which is severely dangerous since I was on a busy roadway. Sometimes the seat also goes completely forward also making it difficult as I’m literally pushed against the steering wheel. All times when I go try to adjust the seat after these kind of incidents I have to keep messing with the side buttons because they don’t want to work right away. The most recent incident was on May 11, 2025 The driver seat moved back away from the steering wheel as well as the back part of the seat moved back into a reclining position all while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11660354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My drivers side heated seat burned when initiated switch after a while. I felt extreme heat while driving and turned off seat heating switch. I did not take to dealer for further inspection. I seen on a forum someone else had the same issue
NHTSA complaint #11508119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR PURCHASED FEBRUARY 2019 BRAND NEW. WHEN SEAT COOLING, THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HEAT UP IN ALL COOLING MODES FROM HIGH TO LOW. RETURN VENTS ON BACK SIDE OF DRIVER/PASSENGER SEATS BLOW OUT VERY HOT AIR PROVIDING SAFETY CONCERN IF TOUCHED BY PASSENGER. INFRARED THERM. PERSONALLY PURCHASED AND RECORDED A LOG OF SEAT TEMPS FOR OVER A MONTH. RETURN VENTS ON BACK OF BOTH SEATS REACHED A MAXIMUM OF 132FON DRIVERS SIDE AND 129F ON PASSENGER. ON AVERAGE, INFRARED THERM. SHOWED DRIVER/ PASSENGER BACK OF SEATS MEASURING AVG 92-96 DEGREES F. ON OCASSION COOLING SEATS WORK WITH NO ISSUE BUT USUALLY OCCURS 15 MINUTES INTO DRIVING WITH COOL ON. WHEN SEAT COOLING TURNED OFF, SEATS/VENTS COOL OFF. WHEN TURNED BACK ON SEATS/VENTS HEAT UP. CAR SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. AFTER NOTIFYING GM CUSTOMER RELATIONS WITH CERTIFIED LETTER, A GM SERVICE ENGINEER WAS SENT TO ASSESS MY CAR ISSUES ON THE THIRD TIME. PER INVOICE 10644 9/24/19, GM SERVICE ENGINEER CONFIRMED THERE WAS AIR BEING TRAPPED IN FOAM OF BACK SEAT CAUSING RETURN AIR VENTS TO HEAT UP. HE MEASURED THE BACK SEATS TO HEAT TO 81F AFTER TWO TEST RUNS ONLY WITH A DIGITAL THERMOMETER. HIS CORRECTION IS REMOVAL OF OPEN CELLED FOAM IN BACK OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND REPOSITIONED THEN REMOVED HOT AIR EXHAUST PORTS ON LF/RF SEAT BACK COOLERS. NOTES COOLING SEATS OPERATE AS DESIGNED. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH REMOVAL OF MANUFACTURERS DESIGN PARTS FOR FUNCTIONING OF CAR. HAVE CONFIRMED OTHER CADILLAC SUV OWNERS HAVE HEATING ISSUES WITH RETURN VENTS IN A 2016 SUV SERVICED BY SAME DEALERSHIP AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO, 2019 ESCALADE ESV LOANER PROVIDED TO ME EXHIBITS EXACT SAME ISSUES AS THOSE REPORTED IN MY CAR WITH HEAT IN BACK OF SEATS AND RETURN VENTS DURING COOLING SEATS ACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #11258340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION OVERHEATED AND COMPLETELY MELTED ON DRIVERS SIDE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS HAD TAKEN PLACE NOR HAVE I EVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF WARNING FROM GM THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A GREAT NUMBER OF OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME POOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT MOST ENDED UP STARTING A FIRE. I WAS HAVING MY OIL CHANGED AT THE GM DEALERSHIP, AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK AS TO WHY MY HEATED SEATS WERE NO LONGER WORKING. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS PARTIALLY MELTED, SO IT COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AS WELL. THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND I WASN'T ABOUT TO PAY JUST FOR THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN AGAIN OR CONSTANTLY WORRY IF REPAIRED, WAS IT GONNA CAUSE A FIRE NEXT TIME. I STILL ENDED UP PAYING TO HAVE THEM SEARCH THE PROBLEM AND PAY TO DISCONNECT THE MODULE COMPLETELY. $800 PLUS DOLLARS TO REPAIR , MOSTLY LABOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE SEAT TO REPLACE THE MODULE. HA!, THEY DISCONNECT THE BURNT UP MODULES WITHOUT TAKING MY SEAT OUT, SERIOUSLY??? SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THE HEATED STEERING AS WELL?!?!. AFTER REVIEWING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE , CADILLAC SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. YOU CAN BET THAT I'M VERY FURIOUS ABOUT THIS AND I EXPECT AN ANSWER BACK WITH AN EXPLANATION. SINCERELY, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
NHTSA complaint #11243169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN ALL VIDEOS I CHECKED FOR ISSUES WITH THE HEATED AND COOLED SEATS I SAW THAT ONE OF THE CONNECTORS TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD WE'RE STARTING TO MELT THE CONNECTOR. UPON REMOVING MINE, THE SAME ISSUE IS SHOWN AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL IF IT CONTINUES TO MELT AND CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11208916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL---2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE, STABILITY LIGHT CONTROL COMES ON AND OFF. ALSO TRIGGERS MY ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. I HAVE REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, CAM SHAFT, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR, NEW SHOCKS, NEW COMPRESSOR, AND I KEEP THE OIL CHANGED. EVEN THE CADILLAC DEALER HAS WENT THRU AND THRU THIS VEHICLE REPLACING ALL THIS STUFF AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER, TO STILL DOING THE SAME THING AND THEY EVEN SAID THEY HAVE NO CLUE OF WHY IT KEEPS DOING THIS. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CADILLAC AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TO FIX THESE ISSUES NOT ON THE OWNERS POCKET. ON GM'S POCKET. THIS VEHICLE IS ENOUGH ALONE WITHOUT HAVING TO CONTINUE SINKING MONEY AFTER MONEY IT IS TO JUST TRY AND FIX THIS ISSUE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CADILLAC'S AND THIS IS MY 2 ONE, BUT PROBABLY MY LAST ONE BECAUSE WHO WANTS TO FORK OUT 80,000 FOR A NEW ONE, TO CONTINUE FORKING OUT WITH ISSUES. THESE ISSUES SEVERELY NEEDS A RECALL BEFORE IT TAKES PEOPLES LIVES. SOON AS THESE LIGHTS COME ON, AND YOU GIVE IT GAS, IF FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FALL OUT IN THE ROAD. JERKS YOU EVERYWHERE. THIS IS A DAILY PROBLEM, NOT JUST A ONE TIME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11185639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
USING REMOTE START CAUSED THE HEATED SEATS TO BURN OUT. THERE WAS AN ODOR OF ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS VISIBLE SIGNS OF BURNING OR BURNT OUT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS IS CLEARLY A FIRE HAZARD. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND REMOTE START USED.
NHTSA complaint #11163626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT HEADREST BUILT IN WITH NON ADJUSTABLE SHAPE. DRIVER'S HEAD TOUCHES TO HEADREST WHILE SITTING ON DRIVE POSITION WHICH CREATES VERY UNCOMFORTABLE BODY POSTURE SHORTLY AFTER NECK PAIN STARTS. HOWEVER, REAR PASSENGER SEATS HAS NORMAL HEADREST BUILT IN WITH NO SEATING PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11143576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LIGHTING WE OWN TWO ESCALADES FROM 2008 AND HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM IN BOTH CARS. CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND BURN THEM OUT WE WERE QUOTED $1,000 FOR EACH HEADLIGHT TO FIX MIN!!! HEATED SEATS ARE OUT IN BOTH TRUCKS RIMS ARE PITTED AND PEALING. HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE RIMS WEEKS AFTER ROLLING OUT OF THE SHOWROOM SO DISAPPOINTED
NHTSA complaint #11052266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE GROUND WIRE ON THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL BOX, (LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT), BECOMES SO HOT THAT IT MELTS THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE AND EVENTUALLY BURNS LOOSE FROM THE PLUG CONNECTION. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BUT GM REFUSES TO FIX IT UNLESS THE OWNER PAYS FOR IT, (NEARLY $1,000). I HAVE REPAIRED THIS MYSELF ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS RE-OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #10968452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, REAR PASSENGER SEAT BECAME HOT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED, ONLY THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 232,000.
NHTSA complaint #10944125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10893074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS INFORMED BY A GM DEALER THAT THERE WAS A "BULLETIN" AFFECTING THESE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE SEAT WARMERS AND COOLING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE HARNESS WAS "FRYED", LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH TO ME SOUNDS AS THOUGH A FIRE OR SOME BURNING EVENT OCCURRED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $990 AND I CALLED GM FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT YES, IN FACT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THESE VEHICLES HOWEVER MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED.SOUNDS TO ME AS THOUGH THERE IS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS ISSUE HERE THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR OTHER PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE NOT PART OF THE "BULLETIN". IN TERMS OF DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THE SEAT HEATING AND COOLING JUST STOPPED WORKING ALTHOUGH THE LIGHTS INDICATING THEY WERE WORKING WERE STILL ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #10825716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ESCALADE HAVING SAME ISSUES AS EVERYONE ELSE. OIL PRESSURE DUE TO POOR BUILD AND CUT BACKS ON GENERAL MOTORS BEHALF. A UNIT WITH A PRICE UP WORDS OF $70-$80K SHOULD NOT HAVE THE ISSUES. WE AS THE CUSTOMERS AND THE VICTIMS SHOULD NOT PAY THE PRICE AND OUR OWN LIVES (FAMILIES LIVES) FOR A COMPANIES SELFISHNESS. PASSENGER SEAT CONTROL MODULE BURNT DUE TO YET ANOTHER FAULTY GM PRODUCT. THEY SEAM TO NOT CARE AND WANT TO FIX THE ISSUES THAT CAN AGAIN LEAD TO HARM TO ANYONE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. I STILL OWN THIS VEHICLE BUT IT HAS BEEN A UTTER DISGRACE OF WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS WE HAVE BEEN SOLD. TO THIS DAY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE COMPANY RECALLS PARTS THAT WOULD COST THEM NICKELS AND DIMES AND NOT THE MAJOR ITEMS THAT CAN LEAD TO DISASTERS LIKE DEATH. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD THEY REPLACED MY DE OTHERS DASH...(DASH). SO REPLACE A PLASTIC DASH THAT HAS NO HARM WHAT SO EVER AND OH DON'T MINED IF YOU TRUCK CATCHES ON FIRE DO TO FAULTY MODULES. SHAME HOW GM HAS LET A COMPANY LIKE TOYOTA WHO ACTUALLY LISTENS TO THE COSTUMES SEEM LIKE A MORE PATRIOTIC COMPANY AND KEEPS THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFE ON THE ROADS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, NOW IT'S TIME FOR ACTION. I STILL DRIVE THE TRUCK EVERYDAY AND PRAY I DON'T DIE EVERY TIME .
NHTSA complaint #10810626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I SEEN ANOTHER PERSON SAID THAT SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HER HEATED AND COOLING SEATS I'M HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WHY IS NOT A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10725529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATED SEATS NOT WORKING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT ESCALADE'S ARE PRONE TO MELTED WIRE CONNECTIONS ON THE CCSM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. MINE HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED BY MANY OTHER ESCALADE OWNER'S. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? THIS COULD POSE A VERY SERIOUS INTERIOR FIRE RISK.
NHTSA complaint #10683373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.