Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV with NHTSA between 2005 and 2016.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 19 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Cadillac Escalade ESV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 79
15.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Cadillac Escalade ESV
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
323.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 86,000 mi
Airbags
215.4%
Median failure at 88,000 miles
Electrical System
215.4%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
215.4%
Median failure at 139,000 miles
Wheels
17.7%
Tires
17.7%
Median failure at 69,871 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
Median failure at 198,900 miles
Steering
17.7%
Median failure at 100 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
327.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
436.4%
150,000+ miles
19.1%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4-DR. w/SAB
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2005peak 2Jan 2016
Recalls on the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200511973,473 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the 2nd row centre occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants. A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow unfavourable occupant kinetics in the event of a crash. Moreover, the higher routing allows 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. Correction: Dealers will modify the guide loop.
Recall 20040374,075 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the relief valve o-ring seal within the brake hydro-boost module could fail. If this happens during braking applications, the driver may be able to hear an engine compartment noise similar to the sound that occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a full stop position. The driver could also experience a slight increase in steering efforts while braking and parking. Under certain driving conditions, a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort may be required to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seal failure. Correction: Dealers will inspect the hydro-boost module, and replace it, if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 86,000 milesThornville, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/8/14
NHTSA complaint #10626261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesThornville, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/8/14
NHTSA complaint #10626261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Brighton, MA
ENGINE
BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON ENGINE FOUND AT UNDER 100K MILES. CREATES SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10820802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesMadison, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, ALL THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED BUT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10810006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMiami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE. THE ABS AND TRACTION ACTIVITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRO-BOOST FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10766335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesThornville, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/8/14
NHTSA complaint #10626261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesThornville, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/8/14
NHTSA complaint #10626261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesBurlington, IA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,043.
NHTSA complaint #10478143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,900 milesHughesville, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SIX TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT A DISTRICT SPECIALIST WOULD BE SENT TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,900.
NHTSA complaint #10414768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesPasco, WA
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATER MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10370389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesConyers, GA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. NOTHING WAS DONE PRIOR TO LIGHT COMING ON. I ACTUALLY CALLED GM TO SEE IF IT WAS A RECALL AND ALSO TO REPORT THE INCIDENT....
NHTSA complaint #10324744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,871 milesTulsa, OK
TIRES
BRIDEGESTONE DUELER TIRES BOUGHT ON 6/07/08 AT FIRESTONE IN TULSA. ON 9/02/08, LESS THAN 1500 MILES LATER, HAD VALVE STEM CRACK CAUSING FLAT TIRE. ON 11/02/08, ANOTHER 1500 MILES LATER, HAD A DIFFERENT TIRE GO FLAT CAUSED BY CRACKED VALVE STEM. FIRESTONE INSISTS THAT THIS IS COINCIDENTAL AND THAT NOBODY ELSE IS MAKING VALVE STEM COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10247530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesEncino, CA
STEERING
STEERING/CROSS BAR/AXEL- BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 10 + TIMES. CAR STEERING GOES OUT. CAR MAKES CRACKLING NOISES WHILE TURNING.
NHTSA complaint #10178666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesTupelo, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, LIGHTNING STRUCK THE EXTERIOR ANTENNA FOR THE ON-STAR SYSTEM DISRUPTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10168185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broadview Heights, OH
WHEELS:RIM
DT: THE ALUMINUM RIMS CORRODED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DEFLATE. THERE WAS AIR LEAKING FROM AROUND THE VALVE STEMS. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON 8-8-05. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. . THE VEHICLE WAS LEASED.
NHTSA complaint #10131962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.