2002 Cadillac Escalade problems
The 2002 Cadillac Escalade has 164 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (30%) concerns brakes. After that come electrical system (10%) and drivetrain & axles (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 164 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 16 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 96 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 9 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 18 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 6 |
What the data shows
Among the 96 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 75,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (36 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 16 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 15 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the Cadillac Escalade with enough data (81 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
While stopping at a red light another vehicle traveling at approximately 50 MPH rear ended consumers vehicle, upon impact none of the airbags deployed also drivers side seat belt did not hold. *slc
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 cadillac escalade. While driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The front driver side shoulder seat belt retractor failed to function and the webbing would not release properly. As a result, the driver struck the steering wheel with force. The contact suffered from back and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle sustained minor rear end damage and was driven from the scene. A police report was not filed.
Upon the recent development of a loud "ticking" noise when starting my 2002 escalade 6.0 AWD, I immediately brought the truck into my local shop for diagnostics. A quick inspection found missing and rusted exhaust manifold bolts on the driver side of my engine, causing an exhaust leak. This leak creates not only a dangerous co2 leak within the engine compartment (which also can be drawn into the cabin's HVAC system), but it also raises environmental concerns, as the leaking exhaust is not being properly treated…