Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Cadillac Escalade Ext problems
Owners filed 145 complaints about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade Ext with NHTSA between Jun 2001 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is service brakes, hydraulic (34).
Complaints
145
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes, hydraulic34
- Electrical system19
- Service brakes16
- Power train12
- Suspension9
- Structure8
- Steering8
- Engine6
- Seat belts6
- Tires6
- Parking brake6
- Electronic stability control6
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Air bags5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
10
19
15
10
14
8
3
7
8
5
5
4
13
6
1
3
2
1
2
2
0
0
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes, hydraulic
34 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from the front wheel hubs on the driver’s and passenger’s side wheels. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was brake fluid leaking from the brake lines, causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Electrical system
19 reports2 crashes4 fires
“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.”
Service brakes
16 reports
“Purchased this vehicle from a friend who was inherited from his father’s estate. He hadn’t driven the vehicle for sometime. When meeting up at the DMV to transfer ownership he noticed that the brakes were spongy. And purchased some brake fluid in case the fluid was low. Neither my friend or myself are mechanically impaired so We made the exchange of ownership and went on our way home. When we arrived my step father felt the need to investigate the issue. He discovered that every brake line under the drivers seat back approximately 24” were so rusted and soaked with brake fluid that fluid was dripping and making a puddle and was unable to pinpoint where the hole was at that time. We decided that the vehicle was too dangerous to drive, and returned to [XXX] to retrieve his trailer to bring the Escalade to his shop for safety reasons. We tried researching and did find where GM’s SUV’s did have a recall on this matter. The Cadillac is in excellent condition inside and out. The leather seats other than the drivers show no wear at all. Carpets show no wear. The exterior is in excellent shape without chips or dings. Basically a like new with 104,000. Miles which is…”
Power train
12 reports1 crash
“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”
Suspension
9 reports
“WHEN I GOT THE MY SUV FROM THE DEALERSHIP 8YEARS AGO 1 YEAR LATER THE LIGHT STAYABILITY SERVICES SYSTEM CAME ON AND NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM AT ALL TRACTION CONTROL NOT WORKING SUSPENSION POWER NOT WORKING”
Structure
8 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.