2008 Cadillac Escalade Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 17%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Cadillac Escalade, 17% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I turn on the A/C this smells like oil burning, and I have check engine light on as well. This is because oil is leaking in to the exhaust system. I read that this is a typical issue in these cars. I thought this is a particular car's defect, but I read that is very common issue in the 2008 escalades.”
NHTSA complaint #10872187, filed 2016-06, 100,000 miles“The front seat heaters failed. Prior to failure I noted a medium-strong burning smell, but couldn't identify the source. When I took the vehicle to the dealer they reported that the climate control seat module (ccsm) had melted due to too much current passing through it. They quoted me $1092.00 to replace the part, which might or might not solve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10560866, filed 2014-01, 75,000 miles“My truck normal driving and a few miles loose power meters go up and down looose power train conection this trucks on particular has electric problems ground problems I need to stop turn off the key and turn on again check engine light go on and you can see tons of videos on you tube very dangerous if you driving on a highway . I really concern about that and the dealers know the problem and doesn t make a massive recall on that I just report that if I had a accident I report on the NHTSA page.”
NHTSA complaint #11192102, filed 2019-03, 100,000 miles“The engine light came on, it was trembling for a month prior to the light. Then pepboys could not find problem. Reset electrical panel. A week later brake stabilizer light came on. Took to ocean Cadillac in miami. The engine was smoking, knocking and about to go on fire. It lost pressure and I called insurance flatbed.. After fuel pump replaced and $1200 later.. Picked up and drove off. 15 minutes later engine vibrating & smoking as service dept closed. They gave me a loaner car, and said fuel pump blown out from engine malfuction.. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377772, filed 2020-12, 95,000 miles“Heated seat control module connection overheated and completely melted on drivers side and there was no indication that this had taken place nor have I ever received any type of warning from GM that this has happened to a great number of other customers having this same poor electrical issues that most ended up starting a fire. I was having my oil changed at the GM dealership, and asked them to check as to why my heated seats were no longer working. The passenger seat was partially melted, so it could have started a fire as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243169, filed 2019-08, 170,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V240000Jun 4, 2010Gm 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…Covers: Cadillac Escalade 2007–2009, Buick Lucerne 2006–2009, Cadillac DTS 2006–2009 +15 more
- 08V441000Aug 28, 2008Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche…Covers: Cadillac Escalade 2007–2008, Buick Lucerne 2006–2008, Cadillac DTS 2006–2008 +13 more
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 10% |
| 2025 | 6 | 29% |
| 2024 | 8 | 15% |
| 2023 | 16 | 11% |
| 2022 | 8 | 9% |
| 2021 | 9 | 12% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 9 | 18% |
| 2016 | 15 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 15% |
| 2014 | 8 | 40% |
| 2013 | 4 | 21% |
| 2012 | 9 | 45% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 13% |
| 2009 | 14 | 24% |
| 2008 | 23 | 17% |
| 2007 | 34 | 15% |
| 2006 | 5 | 26% |
| 2005 | 11 | 26% |
| 2004 | 20 | 29% |
| 2003 | 23 | 28% |
| 2002 | 16 | 14% |
| 2000 | 7 | 10% |
| 1999 | 3 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2008 Cadillac Escalade
74 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology