2008 Cadillac Escalade

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Cadillac Escalade
Pictured: 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Photo: BuickCentury04, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, Esv 4dr SUV AWD, Ext P/U Ext Cab S/Box AWD, Hybrid 4dr SUV 2WD
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
14 combined · 12 city / 19 hwy
Length
202.4–222.8 in
Curb weight
5,666–6,016 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 14 MPG combined, 26% below the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints138 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 15 for similar models — most often about the air bags.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Cadillac Escalade is a SUV - offered with a 6.2L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,666 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 19 highway), 26% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $5,850 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Escalade — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Escalade →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD202.4 in79.1 in76 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.9 in5,666 lb52/48
Esv 4dr SUV AWD222.8 in79.1 in74.4 in129.9 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,666 lb52/48
Ext P/U Ext Cab S/Box AWD218.1 in79.1 in74.4 in129.9 in68.5 / 67.7 in5,756 lb52/48
Hybrid 4dr SUV 2WD202.4 in79.1 in76 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.9 in5,728 lb
Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD202.4 in79.1 in76 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.9 in6,016 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escalade 2WD6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 14-26%$5,850635
Escalade AWD6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-20%$5,850635
Escalade ESV 2WD6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 14-26%$5,850635
Spend $17,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.9 MPG2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Cadillac Escalade (this car)14 MPGNot rated3
2008 Land Rover Range Rover15 MPGNot rated3
2008 Audi Q716 MPGNot rated2
2008 Lexus LX14 MPGNot rated3
2008 Lincoln Navigator14 MPGNot rated0
2008 BMW X617 MPGNot rated9
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class20 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V052000 · 557,023 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V050000 · 2,641,272 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Electrical System · Jun 4, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Problem
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Risk
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

138Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
105,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags92
Electrical System19
Engine12
Unknown Or Other7
Exterior Lighting7
Power Train5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Seats4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/07: 219/08: 519/09: 419/10: 319/12: 120/01: 320/02: 320/03: 120/06: 220/07: 120/08: 220/09: 220/10: 120/11: 420/12: 121/01: 221/08: 121/09: 121/12: 122/03: 123/03: 123/09: 124/11: 125/01: 119/0719/1020/0220/0720/1021/0121/1223/09max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 92 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 19 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Escalade years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Escalade17228.3 inNot rated00
2026 Escalade17227.2 inNot rated454
2025 Escalade17227.2 in★★★★★139
2024 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★274
2023 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★4234
2022 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★4143
2021 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★12169
2020 Escalade17203.9 inNot rated236
2019 Escalade17203.9 inNot rated159
2018 Escalade17203.9 in★★★★★237
2017 Escalade17203.9 in★★★★★289
2016 Escalade17203.9 inNot rated4104

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →