2008 Cadillac Escalade
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 39 |
| 2000 | 71 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 115 |
| 2003 | 81 |
| 2004 | 69 |
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 229 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 49 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 94 |
| 2016 | 86 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 57 |
| 2022 | 71 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
54% of complaints: air bags — 74 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AIRBAG RECALL: MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. EX: BEEN IN A COUPLE COLLISIONS AND NO RESPONSE FROM BAGS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201124
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SHE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO A SNOW MOUND. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131216
AFTER I LEFT MY GIRLFRIEND HOUSE I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE AND STARTED TRAVELING TO WORK. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 59 SOUTH AND 20 WEST FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE CONDITIONS OUTSIDE WERE COLD AND DRY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120113
16% of complaints: electrical system — 22 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED.THAT BEING SAID YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY A PERSON WOULD BE FRUSTRATED WHEN THEY DISH OUT AN ESTIMATED 700 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO BE FACING THE SAME ISSUE NO MORE THAN...
NHTSA ODI report, 20141107
2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120208
Truck goes into limp mode, reduced power, stuck in second gear, stabilitrak and engine lights. Took it to the Cadillac dealership and after 3100 dollars in repairs the truck is still doing it.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250123
10% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
Truck goes into limp mode, reduced power, stuck in second gear, stabilitrak and engine lights. Took it to the Cadillac dealership and after 3100 dollars in repairs the truck is still doing it.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250123
7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 9 distinct reports on file.
4% of complaints: structure — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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, SI
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 HTTP://WW
Campaign 08V441000 — 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
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
2008 Cadillac Escalade — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (74 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V441000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V050000 (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 2008 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade have?
4 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.