KnownCarProblemsHome › Cadillac › Escalade › 2004
2004 Cadillac Escalade Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac Escalade, most often about the electrical (29% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Cadillac Escalade problems
Electrical
20 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, horn.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel on the vehicle became inoperable, including the speedometer. The dealer stated that there were no recalls; however, the manufacturer was aware of the failures and stated that Cadillac would replace the instrument panel for…
My 2004 Cadillac Escalade wants to shut down while driving. The system is resetting its self, causing my car to stall, the alternator gauge is fluctuating back and forth.
Brakes
19 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
I was traveling at a low rate of speed in a residential area and my foot went to the floor as I applied the brakes. I kept pumping them and downshifted to come to a stop. Upon inspection, noticed brake fluid coming from passenger rear (above exhaust pipe). Seems that line is corroded. I've never had something like…
2004 Cadillac Escalade. Consumer writes in regards to defective brake line. The consumer stated when his wife applied the brake, the pedal went to the floor, and the vehicle did not stop. She went through a red light and coasted until the vehicle finally stopped. The consumer discovered brake fluid leaking under the…
Air bags
7 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: frontal.
On july 16th, 2005; I was involved in a life changing, single vehicle auto accident. I struck a hill with the front right side of the vehicle with enough excessive force to flip this Cadillac Escalade head first. The Escalade flipped twice, impacting the front of the vehicle and landing up side down. Astonishingly…
I was in an mva on nov. 1, 2011 that totaled my 2004 Escalade. None of the airbags deployed, despite damage to all sides of the automobile, including front end impact. The car actually rolled. The frame was bent and the front hit an embankment nose first with great impact. I suffered several injuries, including head…
Seats
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Escalade. He stated that the passenger rear seat caught fire due to the seat warmer that was activated on its own. He smelled smoke and then noticed the flames. He was able to unplug the seat warmer from underneath the seat; however, there were damages to the seat, pillow and a blanket.…
: the contact stated while riding in the passenger seat, the seat heater electrically shocked the passenger resulting in second degree burns to the back. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection who replaced the heating system in the back support of the seat.
Lights
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
Dt: the consumer stated that the 2004 Cadillac Escalade was having an electrical problem. The speedometer failed along with the rpms, the levers were misreading the information. The lights were blinking on and off and became very dim and yellowish. The bright lights were very dim also. The instruments on steering…
Headlights and ballets been replaced 3times.. They comes on only when not driving then I start driving then all the lights start flickering. Seatbelt in rear was repaired twice but wont retract after unbuckleing.
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 7%Fuel system
5 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated the brake pedal was stuck to the floor board when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact noticed the brake fluid on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the contact's mechanic for inspection, which located the brake lines severely corroded and…
The strong odor of. Fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. Strong when driving. We find no gas on the ground leaking. We have made sure the gas cap is secure. It is getting 14mpg.
Engine
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and caused the contact to crash into a guard rail. The contact also mentioned that the instrument panel failed to illuminate. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
I was the owner of a 2014 Cadillac Escalade. On august 26, 2015, while driving I plugged in my cell phone charger into the cigarette lighter. Sparks and smoke started coming from underneath the dashboard. I pulled over to a side street. No sooner than I was able to get out, the entire cabin of the vehicle, the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Cadillac Escalade recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Cadillac Escalade
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac Escalade?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (20 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); brakes (19 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles); air bags (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Cadillac Escalade?
- It is 11th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints, with 69 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.