2009 Cadillac Escalade EXTProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-050 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 10, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT has problems

3 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 bags20
Tires10

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

5 recalls

2009 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 →

43%repaired · 2023 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-053 · Feb 5, 2021 · 692,526 vehicles · 298,205 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 →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 09V-154 · May 6, 2009 · 27,188 vehicles

Risk. WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE…

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

2009 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

2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT safety ratings

2009 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Escalade EXT owners report

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

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "SERVICE THE AIR BAGS SOON" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING NEAR THE…
Complaint 11075442 · Feb 28, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL…
Complaint 10892805 · Aug 3, 2016 · 57,000 miles

Own a 2009 Escalade EXT?

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