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2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV is electrical system, typically around 128,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Escalade ESV model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
76/100
Owner complaints
14
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
580
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 1

Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicatorReported February 14, 2005 · 7,194 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
Risk
The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 05V055000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV 580

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 580 bulletins for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV

2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-DR. w/SAB; w/updated ESCPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.3

What 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Electrical · 188,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that each time the doors were manually locked or unlocked, the vehicle started and turned off. The alarm alert warning light and the tire pressure monitor warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical system malfunctioned, and the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The steering column was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Jiffy Luke where it was diagnosed and determined that the cause was related to the electrical system. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2018 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · FL · fire

The vehicle was parked in my driveway, where it had been since the day before. It was not powered on in anyway, nor was anything plugged in inside. In the early morning we were made aware by a neighbor that the truck was on fire. The fire was in the passenger side dashboard area and the center console of the vehicle. The fire dept arrived quickly and extinguished the blaze. The fire report stated: ignition - d1 area of fire origin: vehicle area, other d2 heat source: heat from powered equipment, other d3 item first ignited: other cause of ignition - failure of equipment factors contributing to ignition - electrical failure, malfunction, other human factors contributing to ignition - none

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Brakes · MO

February 14, 2016 I was driving to work going about 50 miles per hour upon approaching 60 the vehicle begin to lose power so I steered over to the side of the highway and hit the onstar button to tell them that I was losing power and that would they run a diagnostic they stated that would. They stated also what they are going to check, braking system, engine, transmission etc. When they came back online me not know what they really did check I was told that all was a green light, so I proceed to continue on my way to work, but it happen again and I contacted them again and was told the same thing. Never once did they diagnostic only meant that they was just checking for codes and it was not a true diagnostic check. They also never offer to tow the vehicle home or to the dealer. I was able to get the vehicle home and took it to the first mechanic and was told that the yaw rate sensor needed replaced at $500 something didn't seem right so I took it to a gm certified mechanic and was told it was the hydo-boost, pressure hoses needed replaced at $2600 along on the phone back and forth with on star which claimed responsibility on star stated to me that gm tech wanted the vehicle taken to the dealership and that they would pay for the diagnosis to see what was the problem. So gm came and pick the vehicle up and transported to bommorito cadillac of which they inspected the vehicle and report back to on star which stated that they wasn't responsible and that they believed that gm should handle it from here. To make a long story short gm claimed no responsibility for this even though you guy's and consumer affairs warned them about the issue with the braking system before and they done nothing about it even though it was a safety issue. My complaint that this issues should not be my responsibility nor the cost cause they new the potential of this failure.

Filed Sep 8, 2015 · Brakes · 230,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac escalade esv. While driving approximately 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not stop and the brake pedal extended to the floor. The contact drove onto the shoulder to avoid crashing into oncoming vehicles. During the incident, the brake light illuminated. The contact, who was an independent mechanic, inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear brake lines were corroded and no brake fluid was present. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 131,000 miles · WI

The drivers heated seat button turns off and on when pushed but this time it stayed on, it over heated and it burnt a small hole in the seat as I was driving... The passenger heated seat does the same but did not burn hole ...

Filed Sep 1, 2014 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · MI

Brakes completely went out while driving my children to school. Brake line rust busted the brake lines. This was out of no where and could have killed someone.

Filed Sep 30, 2012 · Lights, Transmission · 85,000 miles · IL

The hid headlights have been blinking together on and off for no reason. Started, stopped, moving, sitting in the driveway after shut off waiting for delay lighting to turn off. The loss is momentary. It is more critical on unlit highways and side streets. They blink on and off together. The dealer was unable to repair in a 4 month window. On dry roads, from a stop, starting out at 5-20 MPH active traction control turns on and the vehicle stalls. As most stops occur directly prior to intersection this is a very dangerous position to place the driver with a gas peddle that is basically inoperative because the car is in active traction mode and taking over the drive train. Dealer was unable to repair over a 4 month period. It might have been related to speed sensors in front wheels but they didn't want to replace them. They made me drive for 2 weeks with a code recorder in order to get them to do any service.

Filed Aug 10, 2012 · Engine · 123,633 miles · MI

Exhaust manifold bolts are shearing off the engine causing exhaust odor and fumes.

Filed May 2, 2011 · Fuel system · 95,000 miles · NJ

Faulty fuel gauge. We had been complaining of the faulty fuel gauge since we leased the care and then subsequently bought it. It will occasionally just shut off when previously showing a full tank then go to empty or anywhere in between.

Filed Oct 8, 2010 · Airbags · 97,656 miles · MI

2005 cadillac escalade esv.. Intermittent service air bag message. After doing an internet search of the problem I found hundreds of owners of similar gm vehicles 2003 to 2005 with the same problem. Not knowing if your air bag is working is a scary situation.

Compare the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Other model years

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Questions about the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Is the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV, close to a typical Escalade ESV model year.

What is the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV year score?

The 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Electrical system, with 5 complaints, typically around 128,000 miles. Next is brakes (4).

How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?

1 recall, covering power train.

Is the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV safe in a crash?

The 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 3 out of 5.

What year does the Cadillac Escalade ESV have the most electrical problems?

The Cadillac Escalade ESV model years with the most electrical complaints are 2021 (11 complaints) and 2023 (11 complaints).

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