Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Cadillac Escalade problems

Owners filed 61 complaints about the 2009 Cadillac Escalade with NHTSA between Jun 2009 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (26).

Complaints
61
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
10
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags26
  2. Electrical system14
  3. Engine9
  4. Power train4
  5. Steering4
  6. Exterior lighting4
  7. Fuel/propulsion system3
  8. Suspension3
  9. Seats3
  10. Tires3
  11. Vehicle speed control3
  12. Structure3
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Engine and engine cooling1

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 8, 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
20102
20111
20120
20131
20141
20156
20168
20176
201812
20196
20204
20212
20222
20232
20243
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

26 reports1 crash3 related recalls
“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

14 reports1 related recall
“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

9 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

Power train

4 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

Steering

4 reports
“THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY AND OIL AND POWER STERING FLUIDS WAS ON MY CARPORT. I HAVE CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AND MORE THAN A FEW IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SUV.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2020Steering, EngineODI 11307946

Exterior lighting

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITY RACK WARNING INDICATORS KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE WARNING INDICATORS CONTINUED FLASHING. AN UNKNOWN DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED AS A TRADE-IN FROM A 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE THAT EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11139500
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

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