Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV, most recently filed February 2004. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V045000 Filed Feb 4, 2004

GM/FMVSS 135/BRAKE VALVE

Service brakes, hydraulic
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence
CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Repair progress not yet reported68,875 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V045000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (22)

22 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
1involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 22.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other Escalade ESV years

Best and worst Escalade ESV years →
12 22 14 5 39 17 6 4 13 3
2003200420052006200720082009201020112012
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 13 mpg combined

13
mpg combined
12
city
16
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$5,150
CO₂ tailpipe
684 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$5,024per year
$419per month
1,154gallons a year

Miles ÷ 13 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 13$5,150684

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 Escalade ESV for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Escalade ESV years

Where to next

2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V045000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (6), Power train (5), Air bags (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV get?

EPA rates the 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 12 city, 16 highway and 13 combined mpg.

How does the 2004 Escalade ESV compare with other years?

Among the 2003–2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2007 the most (39). The 2004 drew 22. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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