2002 Cadillac ESCALADE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
115 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
78,780 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 115 complaints (12.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 50 | 43.5% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 9.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 5 |
| Parking Brake | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
Electrical System: 14; Service Brakes: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Suspension: 7; Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc): 5; Parking Brake: 4; Power Train: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 44 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2001: 3; 2002: 9; 2003: 16; 2004: 13; 2005: 6; 2006: 9; 2007: 6; 2008: 3; 2009: 6; 2010: 8; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 8; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 50 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10006413 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL FELL OFF DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009018 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011253 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011616 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE POWER STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL, WHICH ALSO CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION FELT FROM ALL FOUR WHEELS, IN WHICH THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL TO SEIZE AND EXPLODE. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012236 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSTALLED WITH AN ALARM THAT SOUNDS IF ANY OF THE DOORS ARE AJAR. THE ONLY DOOR THAT HAS AN ALARM IS THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021476 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS DUE TO A SAFETY CATCH FOR A CHILD SEAT OR CHILD. THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT OR BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSES BELT TO TIGHTEN TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT. IT MAY HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AS A SAFETY FEATURE, BUT IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE MY WIFE WILL NOT USE THE BELT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CADILLAC TO NO AVAIL. THEY CLAIM IT WORKS TO SPECS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT TRIED TO RIDE WITH IT ON FOR ANY TIME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021746 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
WHILE MAKING TURN ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022470 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022470 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.
02V253000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
Reported: 2002-09-17 (September 17, 2002)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.
Consequence: IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗