2005 Cadillac Escalade Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 16%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 153,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Cadillac Escalade, 16% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 153,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased my car used from a dealership in 2009 and I now have the following problems with it. A check engine light that will not go out, the error states the fuel cap is not tight and no matter how much I tightened it never goes away. When fueling the car fuel will overflow if not paying attention. Also the the shift lever position is no longer illuminated so I am not sure which position the car is in most of the time I have to listen and gauge it before trying to put it in gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #11032027, filed 2017-10“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the gear shift lever light failed to illuminate during the daytime. The contact stated that during night time driving, the gear shifter light operated as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v055000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11414146, filed 2021-04, 126,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear differential locked. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic who stated that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would speak to a dealer regarding the repair. The manufacturer had not made a decision. The failure mileage was 68,800.”
NHTSA complaint #10376405, filed 2011-01, 68,800 miles“I was driving and the vehicle was acting like it didn't want to switches into the next gear. Transmission fluid was empty. Filled it up and the next day it still has the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11387336, filed 2021-01Related recalls
- 05V055000Feb 14, 2005Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102…Covers: Cadillac Escalade 2005, Chevrolet Tahoe 2005, GMC Yukon 2005 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 10% |
| 2025 | 2 | 10% |
| 2024 | 9 | 17% |
| 2023 | 21 | 15% |
| 2022 | 16 | 19% |
| 2021 | 10 | 13% |
| 2020 | 3 | 21% |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 12 | 24% |
| 2016 | 17 | 19% |
| 2015 | 28 | 29% |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 5 | 26% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 14 | 6% |
| 2005 | 7 | 16% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 9% |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% |
| 1999 | 3 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac Escalade
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology