VehicleVerdict

2006 Cadillac Escalade problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2006 Cadillac Escalade — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Escalade years?

Escalade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted317 complaints1999: 46 complaints2000: 96 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 164 complaints2003: 111 complaints2004: 99 complaints2005: 63 complaints2006: 26 complaints2007: 317 complaints2008: 180 complaints2009: 89 complaints2010: 47 complaints2011: 53 complaints2012: 32 complaints2013: 23 complaints2014: 29 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 120 complaints2017: 76 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 28 complaints2020: 15 complaints2021: 85 complaints2022: 98 complaints2023: 176 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 24 complaints2026: 16 complaints
Escalade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escalade years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Cadillac Escalade problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System623%
Brakes415%
Engine415%
Airbags312%
Tires & Wheels28%
Fuel System28%
Lighting28%
Other28%
Body & Structure14%

Does the 2006 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V455000SteeringOctober 5, 2005 · 123,592 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND HAD LIFT GATE, LIFT REAR GLASS AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THE PULSE POWER THAT WAS OBTAINED FROM THE BATTERY WAS VERY LOW WHICH CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO NOT OPEN. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 24, 2006

“A VEHICLE TURNED ACROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. STOOD ON THE BRAKES AND FELT THE BRAKES GRAB HARD. I INITIALLY THOUGHT I COULD MISS THE TRUCK WHEN FIRST APPLIED BRAKES, THEN THEY FELT LIKE THEY RELEASED. NO PULSING LIKE YOU WOULD FEEL WHEN ANTI-LOCK HAS ENGAGED. JUST FELT LIKE THEY RELEASED. ALSO,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 24, 2015 · crash

“ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING WHILE ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS BLINKING. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THE RESULT IS #6 AND #8 ARE MISFIRING AND ALSO WERE TOLD THAT 2 MANIFOLD BOLTS ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE WERE BROKEN OFF IN ENGINE BODY. IF THEY CANNOT GET THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 11, 2016

“A VEHICLE TURNED ACROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. STOOD ON THE BRAKES AND FELT THE BRAKES GRAB HARD. I INITIALLY THOUGHT I COULD MISS THE TRUCK WHEN FIRST APPLIED BRAKES, THEN THEY FELT LIKE THEY RELEASED. NO PULSING LIKE YOU WOULD FEEL WHEN ANTI-LOCK HAS ENGAGED. JUST FELT LIKE THEY RELEASED. ALSO,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 24, 2015 · crash

“I NOTICED VIBRATIONS WITH VOGUE CUSTOM BUILT TIRES WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A SEPARATED VOGUE CUSTOM BUILT TIRE ON LEFT FRONT. TIRE SIZE IS 305-40-22. THE VOGUE CUSTOM BUILT TIRE HAS BEEN DRIVEN 25,000 MILES. SEE PHOTO.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 15, 2016

2006 Cadillac Escalade — common questions

Is the 2006 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 Escalade problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (6 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2006 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Cadillac Escalade. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac Escalade years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escalade years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2023, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2000, 2009, 2021, 2024, 2011, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2013. The cleanest record among Escalade years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.