2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 63,699miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The part named most often is air bags, with 9 complaints (64% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and latches, locks and linkages (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,699 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1,089 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 221 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.
- Air bags9 64%
- Electrical system4 29%
- Other or unknown2 14%
- Body and structure2 14%
- Exterior lighting1 7.1%
- Seats1 7.1%
Example complaints
Air bags: “My 2008 Cadillac Escalade Ext hit on drivers side wheel well and drivers side door, I have two curtain airbags on this side and they did not deploy. Both of my front wheels were detached due to the impact of a mid-size mini van at a rate of over 40 miles per hr. Just a cause for concern since the sensor was located in the area of the impact. Was informed by a local dealership that a similar make & model had both curtain airbags deploy due to owner simply running a 6inch curb.”
NHTSA complaint #10329814, filed 2010-05, 20,600 milesElectrical system: “Electronic door lock actuator failed to lock/unlock door from remote. When attempting to unlock the rear driver door using the remote, the electronic lock failed to unlock the door. The electronic lock no longer responds to signals from the remote or the door button and must be manually locked/unlocked.”
NHTSA complaint #10435072, filed 2011-11, 33,500 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “Electronic door lock actuator failed to lock/unlock door from remote. When attempting to unlock the rear driver door using the remote, the electronic lock failed to unlock the door. The electronic lock no longer responds to signals from the remote or the door button and must be manually locked/unlocked.”
NHTSA complaint #10435073, filed 2011-11, 37,898 milesOther or unknown: “Im writing because there is a serious issue with the headlights and all other lightings on the truck just going out which is a safety issues which can cause an accident and unwanted tickets. Please handle this asap.”
NHTSA complaint #10560595, filed 2014-01, 89,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,500 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade EXT · sedan AWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 3 · 21.2% risk |
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.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V050000Feb 5, 2021Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Cadillac Escalade EXT 2007–2011, Chevrolet Tahoe 2007–2011, GMC Yukon 2007–2011 +11 more
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra…
- 21V052000Feb 5, 2021Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Cadillac Escalade EXT 2007–2009, Chevrolet Tahoe 2007–2009, GMC Yukon 2007–2009 +11 more
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles…
- 10V240000Jun 4, 2010Electrical systemCovers: Cadillac Escalade EXT 2007–2009, Buick Lucerne 2006–2009, Cadillac DTS 2006–2009 +15 more
Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc…
- 08V441000Aug 28, 2008Electrical systemCovers: Cadillac Escalade EXT 2007–2008, Buick Lucerne 2006–2008, Cadillac DTS 2006–2008 +13 more
Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, saturn outlook; and my 2008 buick…
Recall details for the 2008 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. 1,089 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017868Apr 11, 2025Steering. This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk…
- 11008956Sep 9, 2024Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade EXT
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 63,699 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 16 | 78,225 | 5 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 5 | 42,841 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 11 | 106,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 15 | 83,061 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 22 | 86,056 | 1 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
All Cadillac Escalade EXT model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (64% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,699 miles and the middle half falls between 33,500 and 100,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
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.