2003 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
93,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 8.3% |
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 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Steering: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10131962 · 2005-08-08 (August 8, 2005)
DT: THE ALUMINUM RIMS CORRODED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DEFLATE. THERE WAS AIR LEAKING FROM AROUND THE VALVE STEMS. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON 8-8-05. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. . THE VEHICLE WAS LEASED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10131962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168185 · 2006-09-13 (September 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, LIGHTNING STRUCK THE EXTERIOR ANTENNA FOR THE ON-STAR SYSTEM DISRUPTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178666 · 2007-01-14 (January 14, 2007)
STEERING/CROSS BAR/AXEL- BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 10 + TIMES. CAR STEERING GOES OUT. CAR MAKES CRACKLING NOISES WHILE TURNING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247530 · 2008-11-03 (November 3, 2008)
BRIDEGESTONE DUELER TIRES BOUGHT ON 6/07/08 AT FIRESTONE IN TULSA. ON 9/02/08, LESS THAN 1500 MILES LATER, HAD VALVE STEM CRACK CAUSING FLAT TIRE. ON 11/02/08, ANOTHER 1500 MILES LATER, HAD A DIFFERENT TIRE GO FLAT CAUSED BY CRACKED VALVE STEM. FIRESTONE INSISTS THAT THIS IS COINCIDENTAL AND THAT NOBODY ELSE IS MAKING VALVE STEM COMPLAINTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 69,871 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10324744 · 2010-04-09 (April 9, 2010)
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. NOTHING WAS DONE PRIOR TO LIGHT COMING ON. I ACTUALLY CALLED GM TO SEE IF IT WAS A RECALL AND ALSO TO REPORT THE INCIDENT.... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10324744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370389 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATER MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10414768 · 2011-07-22 (July 22, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SIX TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 198,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10414768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478143 · 2012-10-01 (October 1, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,043.
Owner-reported narrative. 139,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478143 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
NHTSA campaign record ↗