Does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV, the most recent reported on February 14, 2005 (Power train: manual transmission, shift pattern indicator). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (5 complaints), followed by service brakes (3).

How many 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 14 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls and problems

1 recall and 14 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

Power train: manual transmission, shift pattern indicator

NHTSA campaign 05V055000 · reported February 14, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 7,194 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system5
Service brakes3
Power train2
Air bags1
Engine1
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Seat belts1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 6, 2023 · Electrical system · 188,000 miles
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…

Sep 5, 2018 · Electrical system · 128,000 miles · fire reported
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…

Mar 17, 2016 · Service brakes
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…

Sep 8, 2015 · Service brakes · 230,000 miles
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…

Apr 25, 2015 · Electrical system · 131,000 miles
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 ...

Escalade ESV model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2003	1	12	1	0
2004	1	22	3	1
2005	1	14	0	1
2006	1	5	1	0
2007	4	39	1	2
2008	4	17	1	0

Across all years, the 2023 Escalade ESV has the most complaints (91). All Cadillac Escalade ESV years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV, the most recent reported on February 14, 2005 (Power train: manual transmission, shift pattern indicator). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV?: Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (5 complaints), followed by service brakes (3).
How many 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 14 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 6, 2023.