Cadillac Escalade Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 278 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Cadillac Escalade across 27 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (34).

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 147 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles15 · 10%
10k–25k miles10 · 7%
25k–50k miles13 · 9%
50k–75k miles23 · 16%
75k–100k miles28 · 19%
100k–150k miles35 · 24%
150k+ miles23 · 16%

How serious are the reports?

Of 278 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 30 a fire, 9 an injury.

Cadillac Escalade electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2007, with 34 complaints
1999: 319992000: 72002: 1620022003: 232004: 2020042005: 112006: 520062007: 34342008: 2320082009: 142010: 520102011: 22012: 920122013: 42014: 820142015: 152016: 1520162017: 92018: 320182019: 12020: 120202021: 82022: 820222023: 162024: 820242025: 62026: 42026

n = 278 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Escalade411%—
2025 Escalade630%21,952
2024 Escalade815%20,000
2023 Escalade1611%19,000
2022 Escalade89%32,000
2021 Escalade811%—
2020 Escalade17%—
2019 Escalade14%—
2018 Escalade314%11,000
2017 Escalade918%9,300
2016 Escalade1517%30,000
2015 Escalade1515%100,000
2014 Escalade840%16,000
2013 Escalade421%81,248
2012 Escalade945%57,000
2011 Escalade24%85,000
2010 Escalade513%53,500
2009 Escalade1424%96,900
2008 Escalade2317%100,000
2007 Escalade3415%90,000
2006 Escalade526%105,000
2005 Escalade1126%90,000
2004 Escalade2029%98,050
2003 Escalade2328%96,500
2002 Escalade1614%89,000
2000 Escalade710%133,000
1999 Escalade38%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2025, with 34 complaints
2000: 420002001: 12002: 220022003: 22004: 620042005: 32006: 420062007: 42008: 420082009: 82010: 420102011: 42012: 520122013: 82014: 1720142015: 242016: 1120162017: 132018: 1420182019: 182020: 1720202021: 102022: 920222023: 152024: 1020242025: 34342026: 272026

n = 278 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (6)

Air bags:srs malfunction warning lamp/light; electrical system:softwareJun 10, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V421000 · 285,622 vehicles

Model years: 2021

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

Electrical system:ignitionDec 30, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles

Model years: 2011, 2012

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

Electrical systemOct 1, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V614000 · 106,307 vehicles

Model years: 2013, 2014

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

Electrical systemJun 4, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; saturn outlook; and model year 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamber.

Risk: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.

Fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Electrical systemAug 28, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V441000 · 857,735 vehicles

Model years: 2007, 2008

Problem: Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, saturn outlook; and my 2008 buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.

Risk: This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.cadillac.com; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com, gmc at 1-866-996-9436; or hummer at 1-800-732-5493; or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cablesAug 12, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V224000 · 649 vehicles

Model years: 2003

Problem: Certain all-wheel drive sport utility vehicles were built without a power steering bracket to secure the positive battery cable, allowing the cable to come in contact with the steering shaft.

Risk: This contact could cause a wear-through of the cable insulation, exposing the wire core and result in intermittent electrical shorting. If enough current is discharged at the point of contact, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the positive battery cable routing and re-route, if necessary. No owner notification will take place since all vehicles were captured at the dealers.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

While driving in a heavy rainstorm on October 15, 2026, the vehicle hydroplaned and every brake warning light came on at once, and the dashboard displayed a message that the brake system had failed and the brakes did not work. I believed I had no brakes while crossing a river bridge and thought I…

Received Oct 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11771401

The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and the engine shut off. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred…

Received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769037

We bought my 2022 Cadillac Escalade brand new in mid July from a Cadillac dealership.. fast-forward early September ( I remember because my son was in a wedding at the end of September) and we were shopping for my son dress shoes. My son and I were tired after a long full day of shopping, and…

Received Oct 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768640

I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine and took delivery on XXX. At approximately 9,700 miles, the vehicle developed an engine-related problem and the check engine light illuminated. I brought the vehicle to Cadillac of Norwood in [XXX] on XXX During diagnosis…

Received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768411

My 2015 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L V8 with Active Fuel Management has had repeated lifter/valvetrain failures. On 10/2/2025 at approximately 109,536 miles, an independent repair shop confirmed a failed lifter on cylinder 3. The driver-side cylinder head was removed and all eight lifters on that bank…

Received Sep 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764891
Cadillac Escalade
2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV photographed at Open Road Cadillac, Florham Park, New Jersey.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: BuickCentury04, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Cadillac Escalades have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 278 owner complaints about electrical system for the Cadillac Escalade. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Cadillac Escalade electrical system?

Yes: 6 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

Other Cadillac Escalade problems

See all Cadillac Escalade problems.