Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (54.4% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 6.4× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 74 · 54.4% | Recalled | Recall 21V050000 · Recall 21V052000 |
| Electrical System | 22 · 16.2% | Recalled | Recall 08V441000 · Recall 10V240000 |
| Engine | 13 · 9.6% | Investigation closed | EA08010 → recall 08V441000 · PE08010 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 · 6.6% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 6 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 6 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 136 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 21V050000 · 2021 · reported 02/05/2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 21V052000 · 2021 · reported 02/05/2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V441000 · 2008 · reported 08/28/2008
THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 2010 · reported 06/04/2010
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED MOORE CADILLAC…”NHTSA complaint 11352455 — filed 09/01/2020 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON START OF…”NHTSA complaint 11350949 — filed 08/24/2020 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO…”NHTSA complaint 11319122 — filed 03/24/2020 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 74 of 136 NHTSA complaints (54.4%), followed by electrical system (22), engine (13), exterior lighting (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
136 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V050000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
