Cadillac Escalade Electrical System Problems
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).
- 278electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 9mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 47%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 147 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
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
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escalade | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2025 Escalade | 6 | 30% | 21,952 |
| 2024 Escalade | 8 | 15% | 20,000 |
| 2023 Escalade | 16 | 11% | 19,000 |
| 2022 Escalade | 8 | 9% | 32,000 |
| 2021 Escalade | 8 | 11% | — |
| 2020 Escalade | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2019 Escalade | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2018 Escalade | 3 | 14% | 11,000 |
| 2017 Escalade | 9 | 18% | 9,300 |
| 2016 Escalade | 15 | 17% | 30,000 |
| 2015 Escalade | 15 | 15% | 100,000 |
| 2014 Escalade | 8 | 40% | 16,000 |
| 2013 Escalade | 4 | 21% | 81,248 |
| 2012 Escalade | 9 | 45% | 57,000 |
| 2011 Escalade | 2 | 4% | 85,000 |
| 2010 Escalade | 5 | 13% | 53,500 |
| 2009 Escalade | 14 | 24% | 96,900 |
| 2008 Escalade | 23 | 17% | 100,000 |
| 2007 Escalade | 34 | 15% | 90,000 |
| 2006 Escalade | 5 | 26% | 105,000 |
| 2005 Escalade | 11 | 26% | 90,000 |
| 2004 Escalade | 20 | 29% | 98,050 |
| 2003 Escalade | 23 | 28% | 96,500 |
| 2002 Escalade | 16 | 14% | 89,000 |
| 2000 Escalade | 7 | 10% | 133,000 |
| 1999 Escalade | 3 | 8% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Air bags:srs malfunction warning lamp/light; electrical system:software
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:ignition
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 system
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). GMÂs number for this recall is 14515.
Electrical system
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 system
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:cables
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…

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
- Engine problems (502)
- Air Bags problems (327)
- Power Train problems (190)
See all Cadillac Escalade problems.