Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2025 | 6 | 30% | 22,000 miles |
| 2024 | 8 | 15% | 20,000 miles |
| 2023 | 16 | 11% | 19,000 miles |
| 2022 | 8 | 9% | 32,000 miles |
| 2021 | 9 | 12% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% | 11,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 18% | 16,000 miles |
| 2016 | 15 | 17% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 15 | 15% | 100,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 40% | 16,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 21% | 88,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 45% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% | 85,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 13% | 59,000 miles |
| 2009 | 14 | 24% | 97,000 miles |
| 2008 | 23 | 17% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 34 | 15% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 26% | 105,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 26% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 20 | 29% | 88,000 miles |
| 2003 | 23 | 28% | 103,000 miles |
| 2002 | 16 | 14% | 89,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 10% | 133,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 8% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On February 12, 2026, while driving my 2026 Cadillac Escalade from Corpus Christi to Portland, Texas, I encountered a severe safety issue. While driving on the bridge, the engine started making a loud knocking noise and then abruptly stopped working, causing the vehicle to turn off in the middle of traffic. I have only had my vehicle for a total of 55 days, and the mileage on my vehicle is 2,455 miles. This incident highlights a critical motor failure that poses a significant safety risk.
The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPh, attempting to make a left turn in the snow, the vehicle prompted them to activate the skid protection mode. After activating the Skid Protection mode, the vehicle began to lose power and shut down. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and coasted to the side of the road. The contact waited before restarting the vehicle and continued to drive. While driving, the contact noticed the speedometer showed 120 MPH; however, they were only going about 30 MPH-the warning for transmission failure and other lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the issue as the computer disconnecting due to the weather. The dealer had reported the issue to the manufacturer in an attempt to prevent the failure from occurring again. …
On [redacted], at approximately 15,200 miles, my 2025 Cadillac Escalade V developed multiple warnings while I was driving at highway speed. These included reduced acceleration, speed limited to 62 mph, service power steering, service traction control, rear axle system off, and unavailable forward-collision and adaptive-cruise functions. At one point, the speedometer displayed 0 mph while I was still traveling over 60 mph. The vehicle ultimately stopped in the roadway and required towing back to Crestmont Cadillac in Beachwood, Ohio. Becoming disabled in traffic and losing a reliable speed indication created a safety risk. I picked up the vehicle from Crestmont the previous day after approximately a week at the dealership. I was told no battery issues had been found. There had been earlier visits for electrical/network and reduced-power problems. …
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. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with starter failure. The contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
I started my Escalade and 5 minutes later I lost power which as the entire vehicle had no power. So I left it alone for an hour or so in my garage and I started up again and this time didn't loose power. Everything appeared normal and working again. Than the next day I started it up and I had this popup message SD card has been removed press ok to exit navigation (when no SD card was removed). I also noticed that my backup camera, grid lines, or augmented reality has also intermittently not working on days. It sometimes works as normal and sometimes it does not. The message shows Service Augmented Reality System. The following next day, while I'm cruising on the highway the Escalade shifted into neutral when I was going 75 mph and had no mechanical power. So I pulled over stoped the vehicle and shut it off. Restarted after 15 minutes and it operated normally. …
Vehicle was running with the driver side door open and driver out of vehicle. The vehicle slipped out of gear and reversed quickly. Driver went to get back in while moving backwards to try and stop vehicle. The driver got smashed between the garage and vehicle door. The vehicle door hyperextended and caused damage/injury to driver. The emergency brake did not come on until after the accident. Prior to this happening recalls were not preformed due to GM advising us that our vehicle was not next to get it done. Throughout ownership the vehicle has slipped out of gear two other times. We took it in each time and were told it shouldn't happen again and they could not replicate. GM did an inspection after and fixed recalls and told us they would not assist us with damage or any compensation.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that there were several unknown codes and unknown electrical issues displayed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer approximately eight or nine times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was a Lemon. The manufacturer was contacted regarding a buyback, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine shut off without warning. Despite the failure, the engine restarted immediately after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted, and the contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact waited two months for parts since the parts were on backorder. After the engine was replaced, the contact stated that vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. …
Related recalls (5)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical system
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014.
Electrical system
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…
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 been permanently…
Electrical system
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.
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://www.Cadillac.com;…
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, GM provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative…
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Escalade years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (34), 2003 (23), 2008 (23), 2004 (20) and 2002 (16) model years. Electrical complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Cadillac Escalade electrical problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 14V-827 (ignition, Dec 30, 2014); 14V-614 (electrical system, Oct 1, 2014); 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac Escalade electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (9 mentions), followed by the wiring (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.