Menu

2009 Cadillac EscaladeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 58 owner complaints about the 2009 Cadillac Escalade, 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.

2009 Cadillac Escalade
61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year37% below the Escalade median · #13 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 28%Owner complaints584 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage105kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 28, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Cadillac Escalade has problems

58 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 bags241
Electrical system142
Engine92
Power train40
Steering40
Exterior lighting40
Seats31
Fuel/propulsion system31
Structure30
12 other systems171

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

5 recalls

2009 Cadillac Escalade 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 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 median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 Cadillac Escalade safety ratings

2009 Cadillac Escalade 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% 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, and the recalls they led to.

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

What Escalade owners report

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

Observed information on dashboard stating service Air Bag...it was told that my car has a Takarta brand air bag..is there a recall for this airbag ? If so can I be sent a notification..
Complaint 11523952 · May 26, 2023
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE IN REGAURDS TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACTS…
Complaint 11400034 · Mar 9, 2021 · 150,000 miles
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V052000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.…
Complaint 11398891 · Mar 3, 2021

Own a 2009 Escalade?

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