2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 10, 2015 · 11 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Escalade EXT years
Far more complaints than other years 5th of 12 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT. That ranks 5th out of 12 Escalade EXT model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints, 45%), typically at around 55,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.

Cadillac Escalade EXT
2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT photographed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System5 · ~55,000 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~119,200 mi
Air Bags1 · ~17,000 mi
Engine1 · ~107,000 mi
Equipment1
Fuel/propulsion System1 · ~107,000 mi
Power Train1 · ~15,000 mi
Suspension1 · ~106,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System545%55,000——
Service Brakes327%119,200——
Air Bags19%17,000——
Engine19%107,000——
Equipment19%———
Fuel/propulsion System19%107,000——
Power Train19%15,000——
Suspension19%106,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2013, with 3 complaints
2004: 2200422005: 1200512010: 1201012012: 1201212013: 3201332014: 2201422015: 120151

n = 11 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachmentsMar 17, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V129000 · 3,662,211 vehicles

Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.

Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.

Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 4, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · 68,875 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The brake "lines from the proportioning valve to modulator, lines from master cyl to proportioning valve" had to be replaced. The quoted description is from the dealers service invoice. One or more of these lines corroded thru and failed while i was (luckily) in my driveway. I had filed a complaint…

Service Brakes · received Aug 10, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10747573

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 cadillac escalade ext. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Electrical System · received Dec 18, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10667123

I have a 2004 escalade ext and approx. 1 year ago the speedometer stopped working. I contacted cadillac and was told it was my problem as the warranty was up. I just read in a car magazine that my year of escalade is listed as a bad vehicle to purchase due to speedometer breakdowns. Cadillac wants…

Electrical System · received Jan 8, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10559095

The driver side front brake line corroded thru. This is a little over a year since the rear brake line corroded thru. *tr

Service Brakes · received Aug 7, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10533994

I discovered broken/missing exhaust manifold bolts at 107k miles although i suspect they have been missing for quite some time. I was made aware of the problem by other cadillac, chevy, and gmc owners with the 6.0l engine. Upon hearing about this issue i inspected my vehicle to find that i have…

Engine · received Apr 2, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10505456

Other Cadillac Escalade EXT years

← 2003 Escalade EXT · 2005 Escalade EXT →

See all Cadillac Escalade EXT problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT?

Owners most often report electrical system, service brakes, air bags problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 5 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Escalade EXT model years, the 2004 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.