Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Lights

Cadillac Escalade Lighting problems by year

63 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac Escalade's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20251000
20241000
20232001
20220001
20214001
20201100
20191000
20182000
20172000
20161000
20151000
20121000
20111000
20102000
20094000
200814000
20079000
20061000
20054000
20045030
20023000
20001001
19992001

Lighting recalls

Latest Escalade lighting complaints

2018 Cadillac EscaladeElectrical systemLights

The instrument cluster reset, flashes and the turn signals will stop working while the system is cycling or restting, whilw changing lanes or in a middle of a turn

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11745705
2025 Cadillac EscaladeLights

The driver-side headlight on my 2025 Cadillac Escalade failed while the vehicle was still under factory warranty. This is a critical safety component that significantly reduces nighttime visibility and creates a safety risk for both myself and other drivers on the road. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized GM/Cadillac service center, and the failure was confirmed. The warranty repair was approved; however, the replacement part has been placed on national backorder with no reasonable repair timeframe...

Read the full complaint

provided. I have now been dealing with this unresolved safety-related issue for nearly three weeks. Because the headlight assembly is a major safety component, the vehicle may not be safe or practical to operate at night or during poor weather conditions. Prior to the failure, there were warning/error messages related to the headlight system appearing on the dashboard. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request through the servicing dealership. My concern is not only the headlight failure itself, but also the inability of the manufacturer to provide timely replacement parts for a critical safety-related system on a nearly new vehicle. This creates an ongoing safety concern and prolonged loss of use of the vehicle.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11740405
2021 Cadillac EscaladeTransmission & drivetrainLights

The engine. I'm told my engine is not part of the recall but makes an extremely loud sound on start up. Been to dealer just for them to say the vehicle is not part of the recall. Recently called roadside assistance because the vehicle shut off in the middle of traffic. Took it back to dealer, Nothing they can do, just keep bringing it back! Now warranty has expired & sound is getting worse

Filed Incident Power train · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11727375
2004 Cadillac EscaladeLights

When this device is used to replace the Flasher Module (my had failed so I ordered this replacement from Amazon) I found that the brake light circuit to any trailer connected tot he vehicle would no longer work. Under further research on Amazon via reviews and other online sources, I found that all of the Chinese clone parts have this same failure mode. Since most people check trailer lights with Directionals or 4 Way flashers, they would not be aware of the failure of the brake (stop) lamps not working on the trailer leading to critical dangerous situation if they need to slow as the driver behind them is likely to rear end the trailer due to the failure of the stop lamps to light.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11674809
2021 Cadillac EscaladeLightsEngine & cooling

Driving home going 60-70 miles an hour I lost power in the middle of the highway and cruised off to the emergency lane. Engine completely shut off out of nowhere. Spedeometer went down even though i was pressing the accelerator . Starter burned out as well. Dealership says there was metal in the engine. Ordered a new engine and that engine was also defected. Now going into my third engine. In less than 2 months. If traffic would have been worse the possibility of safely maneuvering to a emergency lane could be fatal. Also one of the day running lights on multiple 2021 escalades go off.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11644365
2024 Cadillac EscaladeElectrical systemLightsEngine & cooling

I started my Escalade and 5 minutes later I lost power which as the entire vehicle had no power. So I left it alone for an hour or so in my garage and I started up again and this time didn't loose power. Everything appeared normal and working again. Than the next day I started it up and I had this popup message SD card has been removed press ok to exit navigation (when no SD card was removed). I also noticed that my backup camera, grid lines, or augmented reality has also intermittently not working on days. It...

Read the full complaint

sometimes works as normal and sometimes it does not. The message shows Service Augmented Reality System. The following next day, while I'm cruising on the highway the Escalade shifted into neutral when I was going 75 mph and had no mechanical power. So I pulled over stoped the vehicle and shut it off. Restarted after 15 minutes and it operated normally. I'm worried about Safety since it shifted to neutral at highway speed and lost mechanical power, along with other power issues which is extremely dangerous. This vehicle either is a lemon or there is a unknown manufacturing defect and in both cases needs to be replaced due to egregious safety concern.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11596072
2023 Cadillac EscaladeElectrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

When reversing this huge SUV, there is no visibility. Currently, I have to keep pressing my brakes to get the red light to see little however it is not enough. I have taken it to the 2 different Cadillac Escalade dealership and they keep giving it back to me that it is working properly. This has been a problem since I bought this car, unfortunately when we went to test drive it was in a very bright parking lot. During the day it is fine, however if I reverse at night and god forbid hit someone/something - GM will be liable as this should not be on the road and they refuse the fix this big safety concern. Please note this is a 7 passenger SUV- It is too big to lack reverse visibility.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11558884
2021 Cadillac EscaladeLights

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V827000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool showed no present recall.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11515958
2023 Cadillac EscaladeLights

System Failed: Back up lights are not working. Safety Concern: Cannot reverse in dark and putting self, family and others in danger. Problem reproduced at dealership: Fred Beans Cadillac in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Dealership Response to problem: They said GM is aware of the issue and it is related to software issue, no ETA of when it will be fixed however telling me it is safe to drive. No warning lamps however do have a blue hour glass in backup camera (not sure if that is related). "Cannot see anything when reversing as no reverse lights are working". Please see picture, driveway lights are on, front headlights are on, but no lights are working for reverse.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11506645
2018 Cadillac EscaladeLights

The low beam headlights are too bright. I get flashed constantly, and then some drivers leave their bright lights on, blinding me, and creating a dangerous driving situation. Almost crashed last night due to being blinded by oncoming vehicle.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11487241
2020 Cadillac EscaladeLightsCrash

Cadillac Escalade was struck in a rear end collision in Georgia. Driver of trailing car stated that the Escalade "suddenly stopped". After reviewing dash cam footage from the trailing car it can be seen that the Escalade was very slowly decelerating for ~4 seconds before suddenly stopping, the trailing driver did not react to the initial deceleration, only the sudden stop. Closer inspection of the footage suggests the non-standard brake lights of the Escalade contributed to the crash. The vertical stripes do not register as brake lights easily, especially as they blend into the structure of the vehicle. Screenshots of dashcam footage showing this are attached.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11445717
2021 Cadillac EscaladeLights

2021 Cadillac escalade. Consumer stated that the tail lights on the vehicle were intensely bright.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11441002
2005 Cadillac EscaladeElectrical systemLights

Speedometer quit working on the instrument cluster. Only around 55,000 miles on vehicle. You can drive it awhile and then it quits working. Let it sit for a few minutes and it will work again for a little while and quit again. No other gauges are affected yet. Lamp assembly is fading from the inside of the light housing.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11394897

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience