Problems · by component
2002 Cadillac Escalade service brakes, hydraulic problems
34 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade cite service brakes, hydraulic, 23% of all 145 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
34
23% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“THIS ESCALADE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR ACTION NUMBER PE05020. THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED ABS ON SLOW BRAKING AS DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE ACTION NUMBER. THIS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. GMC GARAGE DISCOVERED TROUBLE CODE AND REPAIRED WHEEL SPEED CENSORS AS PER PROTOCOL AND PROBLEM HAS RESOLVED. GM TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME IDENTICAL PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR”
“THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL HUMMING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY SLIDE TO A STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK) *TR”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AN EMERGENCY SITUATION REQUIRED A HARD APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THE VERY NEXT STOP SIGN MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AT ABOUT A DROP EVERY SECOND FROM ONE OF THE HARD METAL BRAKE LINES THAT ARE ROUTED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT ALONG THE FRAME. THERE ARE FOUR BRAKE LINES THAT ARE ROUTED TOGETHER AND COULD NOT TELL WHICH ONE WAS LEAKING. EACH OF THEM IS HEAVILY RUSTED. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSATE UPON ENGAGING. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE ABS SENSOR, FRONT AND REAR ROTORS, MASTER CYLINDER AND FOUR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. MOST RECENTLY, THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND WAS ALSO REPLACED WHICH REQUIRED THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE TO BE DISENGAGED FROM THE FRAME TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 1/24/2012 *LN *TR”
“MY 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAS BRAKING ISSUES UNDER 5 MPH. IT APPEARS THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED WHICH TAKES THE VEHICLE LONGER TO STOP. THE BRAKES GET VERY SPONGY AND DO NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO GET INTO SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS WHEN TRYING TO STOP. *TR”
Showing 6 of 34 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.