The Lemon Index
200320052nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 13–14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Lincoln Navigator 812004 Volvo XC90 1382004 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Cadillac Escalade
- Rust / frame corrosion16 complaintsmostly at 74,000–119,000 miles (120,000–192,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E106000 (wheels), 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 05V163000 (seat belts) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Cadillac sent dealers 775 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 27 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 29K miles (3K to 48K km) on the car (16 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
My complaint is with your assessment that I might get "confused" by informaition furnished by automakers regarding safety defects perhaps you are a little confused about your responsibilities. Your arrogance astounds me.
2004 Cadillac Escalade owner · NHTSA complaint 10088524
More owner reports
Consumer complaint regarding defective 2004 Cadillac Escalade horn.
NHTSA complaint 10146403
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 775 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
- The service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear, the transmission does not…
- Slip condition in 2nd, 3rd or 4th damaged 2-4 band 3-4 clutch on the 4l60e/4l65e automatic…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALL…
Show all 4 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac Escalade recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300–$4,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac Escalade year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2004" title="Cadillac Escalade reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-escalade/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac Escalade year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2004 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and airbags (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade have?
4 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 to $4,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Cadillac Escalade year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Cadillac Escalade years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works