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2008 Cadillac Escalade EXTProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-050 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 28%Owner complaints144 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage72kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 14, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT has problems

14 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
Air bags91
Electrical system41
Latches/locks/linkages20
Structure20
Exterior lighting10
Seats11

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

4 recalls

2008 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.

28%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-050 · Feb 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles · 734,119 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2023 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-052 · Feb 5, 2021 · 557,023 vehicles · 212,499 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 08V-441 · Aug 28, 2008 · 857,735 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

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

2008 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

2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT safety ratings

2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (21.2% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT, and the recalls they led to.

  1. NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA08010 · closed Sep 8, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-441
  2. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  3. NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE08010 · closed Jun 12, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What Escalade EXT owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The infotainment display displayed a message indicating that the air bags were off, potentially compromising vehicle safety. The vehicle was taken to…
Complaint 11544534 · Sep 14, 2023 · 123,000 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the repair might cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he would have…
Complaint 11445061 · Dec 27, 2021
TAKATA RECALL - HAVE BEEN CONTACTING OUR DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE REQUESTING NEW AIRBAGS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN RESPONDING THAT THE RECALL IS STILL NOT REQUIRED, THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS FIGHTING THE RECALL. WE HAVE EVEN STATED THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PAY FOR THE…
Complaint 11057500 · Dec 29, 2017

Own a 2008 Escalade EXT?

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