Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid problems

Owners filed 76 complaints about the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid with NHTSA between Jun 2009 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (27).

Complaints
76
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
10
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags27
  2. Electrical system18
  3. Engine13
  4. Fuel/propulsion system7
  5. Power train5
  6. Structure5
  7. Steering5
  8. Suspension4
  9. Vehicle speed control4
  10. Exterior lighting4
  11. Seats3
  12. Service brakes3
  13. Engine and engine cooling2
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20092
20103
20113
20120
20131
20144
20156
201610
20178
201813
201910
20204
20213
20222
20232
20242
20253

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

27 reports2 crashes
“Observed information on dashboard stating service Air Bag...it was told that my car has a Takarta brand air bag ..is there a recall for this airbag ? If so can I be sent a notification..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2023Air bagsODI 11523952

Electrical system

18 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the battery was drained. The contact called AAA, who had installed the battery incorrectly. The battery was replaced. While driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started to shake. The vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the system needed to be reset, and the vehicle was working as designed. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the cylinder head was cracked, and the air compressor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11696026

Engine

13 reports
“COMPLETE Submitted on: Thu Jan 06 2022 Claim number: [XXX] Residential zip code: [XXX] Residential state: MO ITEM 1 Brand & model: Safeco claims Age of item: 55.00 Original price: 185055014 Description: Jennifer Steele Condition: below average Note: ITEM 2 Brand & model: Identity theft investigation Age of item: 43.50 Original price: 63051 Description: Cyber scout Condition: above average Note: ITEM 3 Brand & model: 4023 fawn hollow drive Age of item: 30.50 Original price: 46414319 Description: Sabrina Köhler Condition: average Note: ITEM 4 Brand & model: 5571 Cheryl’s Age of item: 20.92 Original price: 137783 Description: GMC pick u Condition: new Note: ITEM 5 Brand & model: House spawn towel Age of item: 63.00 Original price: 631271888 Description: CN 2402/Moep 12/08 Condition: new Note: ITEM 6 Brand & model: Chesterfield airport road Age of item: 37.00 Original price: 3148492888 Description: National security committee Condition: new Note: [XXX] Age NCY in C K R IN HARLEY DAVISON GRAND IS RD SA IN TL O U I SMO ITEM 7 Brand & model: GMC Denali truck Age of item: 13.00 Original price: 327161312 Description: 1500serria Condition: below average Note: New tires replaced many upgrades”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11651505

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports
“MY HYBRID ESCALADE HAS NO EXTRA POWER IN REQUESTING THAT AFTER PRESS DOWN THE GAS PEDAL TO GET MORE NECESSARY POWER TO ENTRY IN HIGHWAY THE CAR SHOWS SOMETHING IS HOLDING THE CAR. I DO NOT IF NORMAL OR NOT. THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11288678

Power train

5 reports
“After driving car all day off and on, it suddenly went into limp mode. Multiple misfires. Service traction t control and service stabilitrak warnings. Engine light flashing. Car had oil. Replaced oil pressure sensor. Replaced spark plugs. Wires. And coils. Will not clear misfire and won’t go out of limp mode. $7500 fix. This is ridiculous. I have heard of 15 others with the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2024Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11605346

Structure

5 reports1 crash
“I HAVE THREE SEPARATE SITUATIONS WITH MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE PLATINUM. THE UPPER DASH CLOSER TO THE WINDOW IS CRACKED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO THE CADILLAC ESCALADE WOODGRAIN SIGN LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AS WELL. IS THIS A DEFECT? MY VEHICLE IS TYPICALLY STORED IN THE GARAGE BUT YET AND STILL MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. LASTLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CADILLAC REGARDING THE RECALL/REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS BACK IN 2015. I CALLED LINDSAY CADILLAC OF ALEXANDRIA TO SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER, THEIR RESPONSE IS THERE NO AIRBAGS AVAILABLE. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2020Air bags, StructureODI 11327229
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.