CADILLAC ESCALADE · model year

1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE

46 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999CADILLACESCALADE carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 ESCALADE is suspension:front with 5 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3) and seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 1999 ESCALADE, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

46
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

46 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION:FRONT5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER3
SEATS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
TIRES2
STEERING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20160110STEERING

I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH MY FRONT STEERING, I CAN'T KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. IT KEEPS DARTING TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT.I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. I THINK THAT CADILLAC SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.

Mileage: 135,598

20140925CrashSEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,409.

Mileage: 155,409

20101227VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS OF SPEED CONTROL FAILURE OCCURRED TODAY. WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SET TO ABOUT 65MPH, THE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE FIRST TIME. UPON BRAKING A SECOND TIME, IT DID DISENGAGE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE CONTROL WAS SET TO ABOUT 55MPH AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AFTER REPEATED BRAKING EFFORTS. IT WAS DISENGAGED MANUALLY AND NOT USED SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 185,230

20100813CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE WITH ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS IS DUE TO CORROSION BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND WHEEL HUB HOUSING. GM REPLACED MANY OF THESE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS IN CANADA. WELL I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, WITH SALTED ROADS. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WENT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND ASKED THEM TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST, AND THEIR ANSWER WAS NO. NOW I HAVE HIT MY GARAGE DOOR TWICE, AND THE BACK OF MY GARAGE WALL ONCE. MY FATHER HAS A 2000 YUKON DENALI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO REAL, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM... *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20100324VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I OWN A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. IT HAS 110,000 APPROXIMATE MILES. FOR THE LAST FEW HUNDRED MILES, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH STOPPING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. NEARLY RUNNING INTO MY GARAGE, AND OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTINGLY, THEN GOES OFF. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY FRIENDS/ RELATIVES THAT THERE WHERE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, AND PROBLEMS WITH THE GM BRAKING SYSTEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE SEVICE MANAGER AT DAVID TAYLOR CADILLAC. ON 03/24/2010. HE SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON OR FOR MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 108,000

20100324SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

I OWN A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. IT HAS 110,000 APPROXIMATE MILES. FOR THE LAST FEW HUNDRED MILES, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH STOPPING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. NEARLY RUNNING INTO MY GARAGE, AND OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTINGLY, THEN GOES OFF. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY FRIENDS/ RELATIVES THAT THERE WHERE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, AND PROBLEMS WITH THE GM BRAKING SYSTEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE SEVICE MANAGER AT DAVID TAYLOR CADILLAC. ON 03/24/2010. HE SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON OR FOR MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 108,000

20100111SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER. SHE ALSO WAS BURNED ON THE BACK OF HER LEGS. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND GET OUT THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT WARMER MELTED THE LEATHER SEATS. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN UPDATED 02/22/10.*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20081031STRUCTURE:BODY

THE HOOD FLUTTERS TERRIBLY BEGINNING AROUND 40MPH AND GETS INCREASING WORSE AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES FURTHER. I NOTICED THIS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WASN'T A PROBLEM BUT JUST THE NATURE OF THAT YEARS MODEL 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE, WHICH I STILL HAVE AND IT STILL FLUTTERS AND WOBBLES AS THOUGH ITS GETTING READY TO FLY OFF ITS HINGES!!! *TR

Mileage: 500

20060321SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I OWN A 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE, I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR CRASHES DUE TO THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM NOT WORKING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER THERE IS A SELECTIVE RECALL 05V329000 THIS RECALL IS FOR SALT STATES AND ONLY CERTAIN MODELS. HE TOLD ME MY CADILLAC WAS NOT ONE OF THE MODELS, AND DID NOT KNOW IF PENNA WAS ON THE LIST. I SEE THIS AS A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE, AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV IS NOT LISTED WITH OTHER SUV'S AND I DEFINITELY LIVE IN A SALT STATE. *JB

20051019SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

DT: 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATES THE ABS IS MAKING HORRIBLE NOISES AND PULSATSE WHEN DRIVING UNDER 15 MPH. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN WORKED ON 5 TIMES ALREADY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE LAST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER THEY TOLD HIM IF HE COULD WAIT AWHILE THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL FOR THE ABS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT SHOUL B E APROBLEM DRIVING THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS. WHEN HE DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS NOT MAKING ANY NOISE. THAT WAS A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, BUT THE NOISE CAME BACK. *AK

20050517SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED THE ABS GOES OFF AT ABOUT 5 MPH. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT INFORM THE CONSUMER WHY THE ABS WAS DOING THIS. *JB CONTACT STATES WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE THE STEERING COLLAPSED, AFTER THE WHEELS ARE STRAIGHTENED THE STEERING IS NORMAL. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING.

20050304FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING THE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 89,000

20040817EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING TAIL LIGHTS WEREINOPERTIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 112,000

20031121STEERING

WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT BECAME LOOSE THEN GRABBED. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE STEERING MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. WHEN MAKING A TURN STEERING WHEEL SLIPS THEN GRABS. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO OVER-STEERING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT REPAIRS WOULD COST $200.00.*MR

Mileage: 109,000

20031111ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1990 VINTAGE GENERAL MOTORS 350 CI ENGINE HAS A PEWTER HEATER HOSE CONNECTOR ON THE ENGINE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL AND PRONE TO FAILURE. THE CONNECTION HAS A SHORT LIFE FOR ENGINE COMPONENTS AND WILL EASILY BREAK AT THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING ENGINER TO OVERHEAT. THE FAILURE CAN OCCUR ON A HOT ENGINE WHILE A MECHANIC IS WORKING ON ENGINE AND RESULT IN SCALDING FLUID ON THE MECHANIC. I HAVE TWO VEHCILES WITH THE ENGINE/CONNECTOR AND BOTH HAVE FAILED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BY GMC. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

20030624TIRES

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20030520TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. FIRESTONE FIREHAWK LS P265/70R16. *JB

20030505SUSPENSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN BREAKING THE VEHICLE WILL SHIMMY HEAVILY AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED

20021205SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE T O PULL OVER AND TURN THE SEAT HEATER OFF.TS CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT CONTAINED A BURN HOLE.*JB

20021008WHEELS

WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BY MECHANIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR

Compare 1999CADILLACESCALADE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE have?
The 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE has 46 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE?
The most-complained component for the 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE is SUSPENSION:FRONT with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER.
Is the 1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.