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2009 Cadillac Escalade

The Verdict

85 Smooth Ride

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade has 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (34 complaints) and engine (12 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 85/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Cadillac Escalade, consider the 2001 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2001 has 94% fewer complaints

View the 2001 Cadillac Escalade dashboard →

85

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

21V053000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sie...

Risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on Febru...

Reported May 2, 2021

09V154000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUK...

Risk

WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY S...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-...

Reported Jun 5, 2009

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000301115225
200111010
20024654201712
2003342827194
20041822411210
200561020178
200645681
2007587156548
2008230120186
20099134122
2010722932
20111424512
2012741041
201360614
2014401140
2015295143321
2016314173118
20171515113113
2018234102
2019502161
202011182
20211236503
2022204632
20238331005
2024231313
202501481

By Category

Electrical
34
Engine
12
Body
9
Transmission
2
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
25
2
29
3
1
4
2
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

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.

8mo ago
Engine 5

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

15mo ago
Engine 1

Lifter failure resulting in a bent pushrod, camshaft, and piston damage. The engine was very dirty like the oil changes were neglected. I always changed the oil in 5,000 mile increments or less depending on driving conditions. The owners manual and oil filler specifies Mobil 1 5W30 oil. When I was working I always had the shop next door change the oil with Mobil 1. After I retired in 2019, I had the nearby GM dealer change the oil. I was unaware that they were substituting DEXOS oil which is not what the owners manual or fill cap specifies for this vehicle. This resulted in premature engine failure. With DEXOS you could be getting oil that is inferior to Mobil 1 full synthetic. See [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

17mo ago
Engine 2

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.

23mo ago
Engine 1

Low oil pressure causing engine failure, suspension issues constantly, limp mode won’t go off

26mo ago
Electrical 1

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..

38mo ago
Electrical 2

N/A

38mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering with an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of an engine misfire due to a faulty camshaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

52mo ago
Engine 3

 For approx. the past 6 months, the radio has been cutting out several times during my daily commute. On occasion, a message would appear saying Stabilitrack is off. Saturday, it cut out and stayed off for more than 30 minutes and did it several more times. Everytime the radio cuts out, the door locks started locking and unlocking on their own, the air conditioning, cooled front seats, and defrost turns on and the seats the airbag off light came on, and a warning message saying service stability system came on, plus the engine was revving without power and I was worried I was going to lose all electrical and control, so I pulled off the We have ran several diagnostic but found no error code messages and nothing wrong with the vehicle. When I was talking to them, the system was acting normally. I have taken the car to the dealership and my local family mechanic shop. We have paid extensively to change the grounding wire, battery, cables, fuses and other grounding components to resolve this issue. It is very dangerous and has caused my family to jerk and sometimes be hit in the process. It has died on the highway and creates an extreme possibility for accident to others, if this continues to occur. I typically would not reach out in this manner and I would just replace the vehicle, but through further research, others have also had this problem, reported it on the Cadillac forum and we have not been added to the previous electrical recall or gotten resolutions. This is my last resort before this becomes a fatality for some owner.

53mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE IN REGAURDS TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACTS WIFE WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (WHITMORE'S WRECKER SERVICES INC 600 W GREENWOOD AVE, WAUKEGAN, IL 60087 (847) 623-7080). UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V052000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

65mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V052000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ARROWHEAD CADILLAC (8310 W BELL RD, GLENDALE, AZ 85308, (623) 455-6910) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

65mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TAYLOR MOTORS, INC. (2525 CHURN CREEK RD, REDDING, CA 96002; (530) 410-6816) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

68mo ago
Electrical 1

WHILE DRIVING THE BLIND SPOT INDICATOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.

71mo ago
Electrical 2

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

74mo ago
Engine 2

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.

78mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CREST CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 6280 STATE HWY 121, FRISCO, TX 75034, 469-919-5551) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

81mo ago
Electrical 1

RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE BY GM I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL WITHOUT SOLUTION. WE HAVE NO EXPLOSION OR INJURIES YET.

81mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON MARCH 14, 2019, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *BF*JB

84mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON OCCASION AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EARNHARDT BUICK GMC (6501 CENTENNIAL CENTER BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89149, 702-951-8200), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.

84mo ago
Body 1

LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING FROM THE ERROR CODE SYSTEM. COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY OR CAUSED ONE.I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. I HAVE THE REPAIR INVOICE AND THAT UNIT WAS CORRODED.

89mo ago

58 total

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