Cadillac ESCALADE EXT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
92 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
69,411 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2013 model years. Data snapshot: . 58 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 92 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 26.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 24 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 3 |
| Equipment | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Air Bags: 24; Electrical System: 13; Service Brakes: 11; Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 3; Equipment: 3; Power Train: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 5; 2005: 7; 2006: 7; 2007: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 6; 2011: 5; 2012: 6; 2013: 5; 2014: 11; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 11; 2018: 6; 2019: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10146167 · 2005-12-27 (December 27, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ACTIVATED AT LESS THAN 30 MPH. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A CHATTERING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WAS ON ONGOING PROBLEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2004. THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE CORROSION FROM THE ABS SENSORS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RETURN UNTIL DECEMBER 23, 2005. THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE THE SAME AS BEFORE. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE CORROSION FROM THE ABS SENSORS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *AK THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181260 · 2007-01-31 (January 31, 2007)
RECENTLY, MY VEHICLE WAS PRESENTED TO FIRESTONE FOR STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THIS COMPLAINT IS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE'S PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. I WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS PREVELANT IN THE CADILLAC ESCALADE PRODUCTION LINE AND SIMILAR SERIES SUCH AS THE CHEVEROLET AVALANCHE. THE ASSOCIATE ATTRIBUTED THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S NEGLECT TO ADOPT AN EFFECTIVE RETAINING CLIP WHICH RESULTS IN PREMATURE WEAR OF THE PARKI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342574 · 2010-07-12 (July 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 80 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWELVE OCCASIONS AND REPLACED SIX TIMES UNDER THE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DUE TO FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING HAD AL…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10343178 · 2010-07-14 (July 14, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC EXT ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OVERHEATED AND FAILED AS SOON AS HE DROVE FROM THE LOT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT WARNING ON AT LEAST TWELVE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158948 · 2006-06-04 (June 4, 2006)
IGNITION SWITCH: THE TRANSMISSION MAY GET STUCK IN THIRD GEAR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 66,857 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175982 · 2006-12-12 (December 12, 2006)
DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. IGNITION SWITCH BROKE. AAA SENT LOCKSMITH. LOCKSMITH SAID HE HAS CHANGED APPROX. 14 OF THESE IN LAST 1 AND 1/2 WEEKS. BRASS PART AND SPRING BREAK OFF LEAVING IGNITION DEAD/UNABLE TO START OR MOVE VEHICLE. I WAS FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT OUT ON THE ROAD. $347.00 LATER AND IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME. BEFORE LOCKSMITH SHOWED UP CADILLAC WANTED TO DISCONNECT TRANSMISSION AND DROP DRIVE SHAFT PLACE ON FLATBED TO TRANSPORT TO DEALERSHIP. WHAT WOULD THAT HAVE COST ME? CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE HELD HO…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128944 · 2005-07-15 (July 15, 2005)
I AM CURRENTLY HAVING A RE-OCCURING PROBLEM WITH THE STABILITY TRACK. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED FOUR TIMES NOW TO NO AVAIL. EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN THEY TELL ME IT IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THAT IT JUST NEED TO BE RESET. I HAVE YET TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, BUT TODAY I ALMOST DID. WHILE GOING TO THE CURB ENTERING THE FREEWAY THE STEERING WENT CRAZY AND THE SERVICE STABILITY TRACK NOTICE APPEARED. AFTER I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STILL WAS JERKING UNCONTROLABLE. I TURNED OF THE STABILITY TRAC BUTTON IN HOPES OF GAINING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607158 · 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10607158 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 3