YearToAvoid

2008 Cadillac Escalade Engine Problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Cadillac Escalade, 13% of all 136 complaints for this model year. That is #9 highest engine complaint count among 21 Escalade model years. These complaints report 1 crash, 2 fires, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 136,000 miles.

Engine complaints
18
13% of 136
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
136,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Cadillac Escalade engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 10, 2008, latest Jan 23, 2025.

2008 Cadillac Escalade engine complaints: complaints filed per month1Apr 2008May 2013Jul 2016Sep 2019Aug 2020Jan 2021
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2008 to Jan 2025; peak Apr 2008 (1).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Escalade model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20058 (19%)
  2. 20064 (21%)
  3. 200743 (19%)
  4. 200818 (13%)
  5. 200911 (19%)
  6. 20103 (8%)
  7. 20110 (0%)
  8. 20125 (25%)
  9. 20135 (26%)
  10. 20146 (30%)
  11. 201533 (34%)
  12. 201634 (38%)
  13. 201723 (45%)
  14. 201810 (48%)
  15. 201917 (68%)
  16. 20208 (57%)
  17. 202153 (74%)
  18. 202273 (89%)
  19. 2023115 (85%)
  20. 202440 (83%)
  21. 202513 (65%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade have engine problems?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Cadillac Escalade, 13% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 136,000 miles.
Which Cadillac Escalade year has the most engine complaints?
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade has the most engine complaints (115), compared with 18 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.