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2005 Cadillac Escalade EXTProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints52 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage19kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 8, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system30
Equipment20
Exterior lighting10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Seat belts11
Seats10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Manual transmission: shift pattern indicator

Recall 05V-055 · Feb 14, 2005 · 7,194 vehicles

Risk. THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other Escalade EXT year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escalade EXT median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT safety ratings

2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT w/SAB; w/updated ESC in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Escalade EXT owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY AND DISPLAYED THAT THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 80 MPH WHEN TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND…
Complaint 10392466 · Mar 22, 2011 · 68,700 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON ALL OTHER OCCASIONS. THE…
Complaint 10167487 · Sep 6, 2006 · 18,558 miles
THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN IT WAS NEEDED. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE HORN IS NOT USED FOR SOME TIME. I HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MY 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, AND I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM ON ALL GM CARS AND TRUCKS INVOLVED. I AM TIRED OF BEING SCARED WHEN MY…
Complaint 10144184 · Dec 1, 2005 · 8,363 miles

Own a 2005 Escalade EXT?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.