2008 Cadillac Escalade Safety Rating — NHTSA Crash Tests
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 5 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance. Check a specific Escalade’s crash and title history below.
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2008 Cadillac Escalade— By the Numbers
- Frontal crash — driver
- 5★
- Side crash — driver
- 5★
- Rollover risk, single-vehicle crash
- 22.8%
- Recall campaigns on NHTSA's file
- 4
- Owner complaints
- 167
Frontal crash — driver
Side crash — driver
Rollover risk, single-vehicle crash
Recall campaigns on NHTSA's file
Owner complaints
Quick Answer
- What is the 2008 Cadillac Escalade safety rating?
- The 2008 Cadillac Escalade was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 5 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance. These are results for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade 4-DR. w/SAB, from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program.
- Did NHTSA test every part of the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?
- No. NHTSA published no result for the side pole test on this version. "Not rated" means the test was not run or not published — not that the vehicle failed it.
- Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade have recalls or complaints on file?
- NHTSA's record for this version lists 4 recall campaigns, 167 owner complaints and 3 investigations. Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is answered by its VIN, not the model year.
2008 Cadillac Escalade crash-test ratings
Its weakest result is rollover; the frontal and side crashes produced top marks at every seat NHTSA tested, and this older record carries no overall score or pole test.
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 5 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance.
Rollover is the result to weigh here. The rating describes the vehicle as NHTSA measured it, so worn or mismatched tyres, tired suspension or a lift kit on a used example can move it away from that baseline.
What NHTSA did — and did not — test
A star rating is only as complete as the tests behind it. This is which of NHTSA's four crash tests the 2008 Cadillac Escalade actually went through.
No. NHTSA published no result for the side pole test on this version. "Not rated" means the test was not run or not published — not that the vehicle failed it.
Recalls, complaints and investigations
NHTSA keeps these alongside the crash-test results for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade 4-DR. w/SAB. They answer a different question: not how the vehicle was built to perform in a crash, but what owners and the agency have reported since.
A recall campaign covers a range of vehicles; whether the repair was done on a particular car is a per-VIN question. Check open recalls by VIN.
The rating is for the EscaladeNHTSA crashed. Check the one you’re buying.
Salvage and rebuilt brands, reported accidents and odometer records follow the VIN.
Inspecting a used 2008 Escalade
The ratings describe the Escalade as it left the factory. A car that has been in a serious crash, rebuilt, or had its airbags replaced is no longer the car NHTSA tested.
From a step stool, sight along the roof for ripples or filler, then check the headliner for sagging or re-glued edges and the windshield for uneven fit. Any of these can follow roof or pillar repair.
Match the tyres against the size and load rating on the door-jamb placard, and look for a lift or leveling kit. A raised example no longer matches the vehicle NHTSA rated for rollover.
The rated version carried side airbags, so confirm this example has them and that the airbag lamp goes dark after start-up. Stability control is listed as standard, and its lamp should clear the same way.
Why these stars come from different tests than a newer model's
NHTSA announced new NCAP crash tests and rating criteria in July 2008, including a new overall rating that combines the frontal, side and rollover results. It then postponed the change by a year: the new criteria apply to vehicles tested beginning with model year 2011, not 2010 as first announced.
In NHTSA's own words, its rollover resistance ratings “estimate the risk of rollover if a vehicle is involved in a single-vehicle crash.”
One limit applies to every vehicle here. NHTSA notes that the frontal crash rating “depends on vehicle mass, and cannot be compared across vehicle weight classes” — a full-size truck's frontal stars and a compact car's are not the same measure.
- Federal Register, 73 FR 79206 (Dec. 24, 2008) — new NCAP criteria begin with model year 2011
- Federal Register, 73 FR 40016 (July 11, 2008) — NCAP testing and rating changes, including the overall rating
- Federal Register, 68 FR 59250 (Oct. 14, 2003) — NCAP rollover resistance ratings
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Compare and keep going
Ratings from before model year 2011 compare only with each other.
4 stars overall
Rated before the current program
Rated before the current program
Rated before the current program
Whether a recall was repaired on one specific car.
Reported crashes and damage after the car left the factory.
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2008 Cadillac Escalade Safety FAQ
What NHTSA’s record shows for this model year, and what it cannot tell you about one car.
What is the 2008 Cadillac Escalade safety rating?+
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 5 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance. These are results for the 2008 Cadillac Escalade 4-DR. w/SAB, from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program.
Did NHTSA test every part of the 2008 Cadillac Escalade?+
No. NHTSA published no result for the side pole test on this version. "Not rated" means the test was not run or not published — not that the vehicle failed it.
Does the 2008 Cadillac Escalade have recalls or complaints on file?+
NHTSA's record for this version lists 4 recall campaigns, 167 owner complaints and 3 investigations. Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is answered by its VIN, not the model year.
Can I compare the 2008 Cadillac Escalade's stars with a newer model?+
Not like for like. NHTSA changed its crash tests and rating criteria starting with model year 2011 and added an overall score, so a star from before then was earned under different tests. Compare it with vehicles rated under the same program.
Does a good safety rating mean a used Escalade is safe to buy?+
A rating describes the vehicle as it left the factory. A used Escalade that has been in a serious crash, rebuilt from salvage, or had an airbag replaced is no longer the vehicle NHTSA tested. A VIN check reads its title brands, salvage and accident records from NMVTIS.
Five stars at the factory. What about since?
A crash rating can’t see a salvage title, a rebuilt frame or a replaced airbag. The VIN record can.
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