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Cadillac Escalade EXTModel year report

2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
106,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and air bags (1). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 75 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Passlock security system failure - vehicle tries to start then stops firing. Passlock light comes on and cannot start vehicle for 10 - 20 minutes. This has occurred 7 times in 15 months beginning at 55k miles. I have read several complaints from owners having the same problem. Dealer repairs are not permanent. These repairs range from replacing ignition cylinders to security modules.”

NHTSA complaint #10320454, filed 2010-03, 55,000 miles

Brakes: “The brake lines from the proportioning valve to modulator, lines from master cyl to proportioning valve had to be replaced. The quoted description is from the dealers service invoice. One or more of these lines corroded thru and failed while I was (luckily) in my driveway. I had filed a complaint in 2012 regarding corrosion failure related to the rear brake lines and in 2013 for corrosion failure related to the front brake lines. Odi numbers are available.”

NHTSA complaint #10747573, filed 2015-08, 142,270 miles

Air bags: “The air bag light came on, the consumer went to the dealer. The ignition was turned on/off to see if it would go off. The vehicle was left at the dealers the next morning. The airbag light went on again the next week. There was a part ordered, and replaced. Consumer drove the vehicle for two days and the air bag light came on again. General motors stated that the airbag wiring harness would be replaced by them, however no parts are available. As of this date the vehicle is still at the dealers awaiting repair.”

NHTSA complaint #10082106, filed 2004-07, 17,000 miles

Engine: “I discovered broken/missing exhaust manifold bolts at 107k miles although I suspect they have been missing for quite some time. I was made aware of the problem by other Cadillac, chevy, and gmc owners with the 6.0l engine. Upon hearing about this issue I inspected my vehicle to find that I have missing/broken exhaust manifold bolts too. This is a major safety concern as well as emissions. Many owners of these vehicles with this engine have had multiple missing or broken manifold bolts, many at mileages of less than 50k. …”

NHTSA complaint #10505456, filed 2013-04, 107,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

22% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 111,054 miles.

0%0–1022%10–250%25–5022%50–750%75–10056%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 106,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20042005201020122013320142015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Escalade EXT · sedan not rated3 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Escalade Ext AWD6.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121613$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 75 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 75 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade EXT

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20081463,6994———Not enough data
20071678,2255———Falling
2005542,8411—13—Not enough data
200411106,0002—13—Not enough data
20031583,0612—13—Stable
20022286,0561—12—Stable

All Cadillac Escalade EXT model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT (Escalade Ext AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 12 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 111,054 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.