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2005 Cadillac Escalade Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac Escalade, most often about the electrical (26% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 16th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2005 Cadillac Escalade problems
Electrical
11 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Tl- the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed inaccurate gauge readings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the instrument panel cluster would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the speedometer displayed inaccurate speeds well above and below the actual traveled speeds. There was a recall issued for her same make and model vehicle, but her year was not included. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000…
Air bags
10 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. After starting the vehicle, the service air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was advised that there was no recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,977.
Fuel system
8 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic stated the fuel pump assembly and module would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. ...updated…
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated and the fuel gauge fluctuated showing the incorrect fuel level. The contact mentioned that an abnormal noise emitted from the wheels. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The…
Brakes
8 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
The emergency/parking brake release mechanism has broken today. This is the second time this mechanism has failed. It was replaced with a gm OEM purchased from the dealer on 8-13-2011. This vehicle has 68932 miles on it and we are the original owners. There is obviously a design failure in this part.
At home in the driveway, started the engine and put my foot on the brake. The pedal went all the way to the floor and a brake failure warning light came on in the vehicle. Under the vehicle there was a large pool of brake fluid and a leak from one of the brake pipes under the drivers side of the vehicle. On closer…
Engine
7 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
I have a 2005 Cadillac Escalade 6.0l engine, with 88,000 miles on it. I had a ticking sound investigated by a local mechanic and he found 3 exhaust manifold bolts, two on one side and one on the other, had spontaneously broken. He indicated before he lifted the hood that was the problem because "that was a common…
I have two cracked exhaust manifold bolts. I have read that thousands of similar vehicles have this same condition. I have an intermittent check engine light that it won't pass emissions. I am also worried of where it is located, that it may cause a fire. I would think gm should have an obligation to fix this defect…
Transmission
7 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: driveline.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear differential locked. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic who stated that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would speak to a dealer…
While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and began to coast. The transmission active indicator light came on. Lost control of the vehicle.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 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.
Transmission: shift pattern indicator
Risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
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 2005 Cadillac Escalade
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac Escalade?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (11 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); fuel system (8 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 a bad year for the Cadillac Escalade?
- It is 16th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints, with 43 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.