2009 Cadillac Escalade problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (21) · Steering (4) · Seats (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Escalade model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
34 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V050000 · 2,641,272 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. G
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V052000 · 557,023 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylv
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-878
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V053000 · 692,526 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. G
Electrical System 2010-06-04 · campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles
Defect: 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 P
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
Service bulletins (1,310)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-09 · 13598 · Other
new vehicle monitoring programs section in ivh
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-07 · PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes b3055, b3060, b3935, c0750, c0755, c0760, c0765, and/o
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,310 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-28 · Engine · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 cadillac escalade. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the battery was drained. the contact called aaa, who had installed the battery incorrectly. the battery was replaced. while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started to shake. the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights ill…”
2025-03-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“complete submitted on: thu jan 06 2022 claim number: [xxx] residential zip code: [xxx] residential state: mo item 1 brand & model: safeco claims age of item: 55.00 original price: 185055014 description: jennifer steele condition: below average note: item 2 brand & model: identity theft investigation age of item: 43.50 original price: 63051 d…”
2025-01-26 · Engine“lifter failure resulting in a bent pushrod, camshaft, and piston damage. the engine was very dirty like the oil changes were neglected. i always changed the oil in 5,000 mile increments or less depending on driving conditions. the owners manual and oil filler specifies mobil 1 5w30 oil. when i was working i always had the shop next door change …”
2024-07-30 · Suspension“after driving car all day off and on, it suddenly went into limp mode. multiple misfires. service traction t control and service stabilitrak warnings. engine light flashing. car had oil. replaced oil pressure sensor. replaced spark plugs. wires. and coils. will not clear misfire and won’t go out of limp mode. $7500 fix. this is ridiculous. i have …”
2024-05-16 · Seats“low oil pressure causing engine failure, suspension issues constantly, limp mode won’t go off…”
2023-05-26 · Air Bags“observed information on dashboard stating service air bag...it was told that my car has a takarta brand air bag ..is there a recall for this airbag ? if so can i be sent a notification..…”
2022-03-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/Camshaft Position Sensor · 117,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 cadillac escalade. the contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle was shuddering with an abnormal sound coming from the engine. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle. the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the con…”
2022-02-23 · Vehicle Speed Control“ for approx. the past 6 months, the radio has been cutting out several times during my daily commute. on occasion, a message would appear saying stabilitrack is off. saturday, it cut out and stayed off for more than 30 minutes and did it several more times. everytime the radio cuts out, the door locks started locking and unlocking on their own, …”
2021-03-09 · Air Bags · 150,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2009 cadillac escalade. the contact stated while driving 45 mph, the passenger side air bag deployed without impact which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. no further details were available in regaurds to the crash. the contacts wife who was seated in the front passenger side sust…”
2021-03-03 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2009 cadillac escalade. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v052000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. arrowhead cadillac (8310 w bell rd, glendale, az 8…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.