2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Only 6 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 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 36 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 62 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 70 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 6 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
3 of 6 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, VIBRATED, AND STALLED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL MODULE AND FUEL PUMP WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150218
3 of 6 total reports mention: air bags.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20141121
AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON AND IT WILL NOT GO AWAY. I AM UNABLE TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THAT. 07/06/2016 MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL ISSUED NHTSA #16V381 RECALL #2049151 PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS STATUS: REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE
NHTSA ODI report, 20200901
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160804
2 of 6 total reports mention: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
INITIALLY MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I ASSUMED IT FAILED AND WAS GOING TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL GAUGE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201127
1 of 6 total reports mentions: service brakes.
1 of 6 total reports mentions: electrical system.
Show complaint excerpts
INITIALLY MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I ASSUMED IT FAILED AND WAS GOING TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL GAUGE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201127
SAFETY TIMELINE
GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996
Campaign 09V154000 — check if this car was fixed
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 E
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 BEE
Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V050000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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 24, 2021.
Campaign 21V053000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 21V052000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V154000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V050000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V053000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V052000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 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 2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.