2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2008
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2008: 17 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 39 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 74 |
| 2022 | 57 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Known problem areas
Only 17 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Air bags
12 of 17 total reports mention: air bags.
Show complaint excerpts
Takata recall. My vehicle has been recalled due to Takata airbags beginning in May 2016. There has been no resolution to the airbag issue and it is now December 10, 2016. My car is not safe to drive with these defective airbags.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-12-10
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (Air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-07
:Takata recall"Received notification in 2016 and manufacturer has not repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-31
Vehicle speed control
2 of 17 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 80 MPH independently. The contact was unable to stop the unintended acceleration and shut off the engine.
NHTSA ODI report, 2010-06-28
Electrical system
2 of 17 total reports mention: electrical system.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV. While driving at 60 MPH, the speed reduced to 25 MPH and the accelerator pedal failed to respond. The contact applied force to the accelerator pedal in order to increase speed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-10-19
Driving down the road, light rain, about 50 degrees, the engine shuts off, navigation/radio off, lights off. My wife was driving, lost and regained control of vehicle. Happened with deputy sheriff directly behind her.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-01-29
Power train
1 of 17 total reports mentions: power train.
Engine
1 of 17 total reports mentions: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Started to accelerate and there was a loss of power for approximately 2 seconds and then the engine shut down. Car would not restart. I could not pull over to the curb and had to have someone help me get the car out of the middle of the roadway.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-12
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2008-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-06-12 Non-crash engine compartment fires
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2008-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-09-08 Non-crash engine compartment fires
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2008-09-12Electrical system08V441000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2010-06-11Electrical system10V240000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2021-03-01Air bags21V050000 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,...
Remedy: 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.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2021-09-20Air bags21V052000 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...
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 2 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 2 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 08V441000 · Electrical system
- Recall 10V240000 · Electrical system
- Recall 21V050000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V052000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 71% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.