What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Cadillac Escalade

Typical pattern

7.5% of complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (26 complaints), typically at 8.8 yr or about 104,000 miles.

Complaints
107
Median age at failure
8.8 yr
Median mileage
79,000 n=80
Crash / fire / tow
15% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
26 reports · 104,000 mi
8.8 yr
15.4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

07E106000 2007-12-17
Wheels:hub

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.

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E043000 2006-05-19
Fuel system

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.

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

05V163000 2005-04-22
Seat belts:rear/other

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE S

A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

04V045000 2004-02-04
Service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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.

03V037000 2003-02-06
Structure:body:door:hinge and attachments

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.

02V224000 2002-08-12
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables

CERTAIN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITHOUT A POWER STEERING BRACKET TO SECURE THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, ALLOWING THE CABLE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE STEERING SHAFT.

THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE A WEAR-THROUGH OF THE CABLE INSULATION, EXPOSING THE WIRE CORE AND RESULT IN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL SHORTING. IF ENOUGH CURRENT IS DISCHARGED AT THE POINT OF CONTACT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 8,452 mi 8 mo in service
SUSPENSION SERVICE STABILITY DISABLED DIGITAL WARNING 5 TIMES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION IT ALSO READ REDUCED POWER AND POWERED DOWN FROM 70 TO 35 MPH WITHIN SECONDS WHEN DRIVEN IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. REMOTE ANALYSIS BY ONSTAR INDICATED MOST RECENTLY AN ABS PROBLEM REQUIRED SERVICE. OTHER FUSE AND WIRE/SHORT PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE DASH. *TT
Electrical system 59,822 mi 2.0 yr in service
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORM THE DRIVER THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED FEEDBACK ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND MADE IT SHUT DOWN BLOWING A FUSE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE VEHICLE AND IS NOW ON THE ROAD AGAIN. *TC
Electrical system mileage not reported 2.0 yr in service
WHILE TURNING A CORNER THE VEHICLE STALLED. *NM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. FUEL WAS PUT INTO THE TANK BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WAS INOPERABLE. *TC *JB

Other Escalade model years

2026202420232022202120172016201520112010200920082007200420032002

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