2002 Cadillac Escalade: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 115 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving carefully out of [XXX] here in Walker Minnesota using the newly opened east side of the parking lot exit and 50 feet later as I accelerated the Heavy Full size spare tire fell from under the rear of the truck and my 2002 Cadillac EXT left the ground as the tire bounced back up against the truck!!! If we had been going faster and in a Different area we may have been Killed! It's a terrible design to store a full size and very heavy spare tire. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2024
“Service Ride control and stability control system lights have been flashing the instrument panel cluster on my dash will cut off and not illuminate once it's time to turn the head lights on there is a ticking /clicking noise when first cranked up and as the gas is pushed and when accelerated and when driving over 65 mph the vehicle will start swaying to the point of being uncontrollably.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2021
“The drive suspension light stays flashing and the vehicle is all over the road then come night the dash lights in the interior instrumental panel go off and your are unable to see your speed or any of the dash the vehicle does this weather it would be in motion or stationary and 8d is constantly doing this since I purchased the vehicle in 11/19/2020”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle cuts off when idling. On one occasion, the vehicle cut off after a two-hour drive when driver slowed down when approaching a stop sign. The problem is intermittent.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, a humming noise was heard without warning. The vehicle stopped and the brake lost power. There was no warning. The contact called the schmitt cadillac dealer, located at 915 w highway 50, o fallon, il 62269) and was told there was no recall, however, to bring the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2019
“While stationary, both rear seatbelts stopped rewinding & require a screwdriver to untangle before one of them can be used again. The passenger rear seatbelt is completely unusable.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac escalade. While driving, smoke appeared from the lighter area. The contact turned off the vehicle and found a penny in the lighter area. The vehicle caught fire. The contact stated that the vehicle's change holder was positioned in a manner where change could fall into the lighter compartment. The contact stated that the dashboard, seats, and electrical wiring were burned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac escalade. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a rear end crash while driving 25 mph. As a result, the seat belts fractured and unlatched independently. The security warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were three injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 214,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2015
“Severe leak(corrosion) in brake line at center pillar. Line is inboard of chassis beam, adjacent to fuel tank. Note this is the fourth brake line failure experienced on this vehicle. (mass car) had similar total failure on another brake line near the current failure. Dealer also found two other corrosion caused leakage at regular maint insp. All repairs made by cadillac dealer. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac escalade. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escalade by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:front assembly:head restraint. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.