22 of the 111 complaints about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade are about the braking system — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 82,168 miles.
22
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINE LEAK DUE TO INFERIOR BRAKE LINES
NHTSA complaint #11413871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BREAKS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WENT DOWN EMBANKMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11354001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL USE OF BRAKES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON DRIVING 45MPH ON A CITY STREET. WHILE DRIVING THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SHUT OFF 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WHILE TURNING. T/C LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND IMMEDIATELY LOST RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. DASH LIGHTING SYSTEM FLASHES DIFFERENT INDICATOR LIGHTS, DISPLAY RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11290631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SEIZED AND FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN NEEDED. THE FAILURE PRESENTED THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 02V224000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); ALTHOUGH, THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11223001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND IT FELT AS IF SHE WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. ON OCCASION, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND LOOSENED ON ITS OWN. FURTHERMORE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE "REAR DOOR MAINTENANCE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TAKEN TO KUNI CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2449 FULTON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, (916) 538-7217). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE POWER STEERING AND SEAT BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THE STEERING AND SEAT BELT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11187056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ON I 75 PASSING UNDER MILLER RD IN FLINT, MI WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED TO BACK UP AND SLOW DOWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STATED TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDDLE THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO WHERE I COULD GET IT INTO REVERSE TO STOP IT. WE WHERE SO LUCKY! I GOT IT TO A CADILLAC DEALER IN DEARBORN, MI AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINE REPLACE. I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM STILL ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT GM HAD A BRAKE LINE MATERIAL PROBLEM DURING THE EARLY 2000 THAT LEAD TO RUSTING OUT OF THE LINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. THE DEALER WAS LES STANFORD CADILLAC UPDATED 10/9/15
NHTSA complaint #10761781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I WAS ON I 75 PASSING UNDER MILLER RD IN FLINT, MI WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED TO BACK UP AND SLOW DOWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STATED TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDDLE THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO WHERE I COULD GET IT INTO REVERSE TO STOP IT. WE WHERE SO LUCKY! I GOT IT TO A CADILLAC DEALER IN DEARBORN, MI AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINE REPLACE. I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM STILL ON THE ROAD. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT GM HAD A BRAKE LINE MATERIAL PROBLEM DURING THE EARLY 2000 THAT LEAD TO RUSTING OUT OF THE LINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. THE DEALER WAS LES STANFORD CADILLAC UPDATED 10/9/15
NHTSA complaint #10761781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF HYDRAULIC LINES/COMPONENTS. LAST TIME WHEN BRAKE FAILED I WAS ON A FREEWAY AND I HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR TO TAKE AN EXIT AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THANKS GOD NO DAMAGE TOOK PLACE. I AM HAVING LOT OF RUST/CORROSION/CHROME FAILURE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10744936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WHEN I BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER, LUCKY ME I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, IT LOOKS LIKE THE BRAKE LINES IS BROKE, I HAVE A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID IN MY DRIVE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10643736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE TRUCK STARTED RELEASING THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHILE DESCENDING A MOUNTAIN AND HAD TO REAPPLY TO ENGAGE FOR BRAKES TO WORK THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. ITS WAS INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE . I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TO OCCUR AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. OTHER ISSUES ARE THE ELECTRICAL IN THE DASH HAS SHORTS AND SOMETIMES THE A/C DOES NOT WORK AND COMES ON BY ITSELF. THE GAUGES ,SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE DO NOT WORK ANYMORE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON . THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED WITH ZERO MILES ON IT AND PURCHASED FOR OVER $ 70,000 AND NOW ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10578672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A SLIGHTLY ICY ROAD, THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WAS COMING TO A STOP. I HIT MY BRAKES, BUT THE GROUND WAS A LITTLE SLICK SO THE ABS KICKED ON. I PUSHED THE PEDAL HARDER, THERE WAS A POP NOISE, AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE WARNING CHIME CAME ON, ALONG WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAID "SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM" IN THE DIC ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY BRAKES WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD A DASH CAM RUNNING AT THE TIME, AND CAPTURED A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT, WHICH I HAVE PUT ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VE6GQFIWQ_A I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT UP THE ROAD, AT WHICH POINT I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID DIRECTLY UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN A FRIEND ARRIVED TO GIVE ME A RIDE HOME, I HAD HIM PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL SO I COULD SEE WHERE THE FLUID WAS ESCAPING. IT WAS COMING FROM A SPLIT IN ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (ALSO ON YOUTUBE): HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=MUDTDMZLA2U I NOTED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES THAT I COULD SEE LOOKED EXTREMELY CORRODED, AND DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ONCE I SAW THAT IT WASN'T A FREAK INCIDENT AND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GM TRUCKS / SUVS.
NHTSA complaint #10556458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A VEHICLE PULLING INTO HER LANE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND THEN SKIDDED. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AND THE STABILITY SYSTEM DISABLED AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND ONCE PARKED, SHE NOTICED THERE WAS PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES SUFFERED FROM SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,337.
NHTSA complaint #10538052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE CORROSION CAUSED RAPID LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID . STEEL LINE RUPTURED WITHIN A PLASTIC RETAINER LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE LEFT FRAME RAIL DIRECTLY BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK.. I HAVE KEPT THE EXACT RUPTURED PART.. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF CORROSION ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE IN FACT THE REST OF THE LINE LOOKS GOOD.. THE PLASTIC RETAINER, FOR SOME REASON ACCELERATED THE RATE OF CORROSION IN A SMALL ISOLATED AREA. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE.. I CAN ASSIST IN ANY INFORMATION IF NEEDED...THIS PROBLEM WILL DEFINITELY INJURE SOMEONE....
NHTSA complaint #10435412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE BRAKE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HOUSING AND PIPES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,00.
NHTSA complaint #10425729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE PURCHASED USED FROM THE ORIGINAL KNOWN OWNER LAST YEAR. 27,500 ORIGINAL MILES GARAGE KEPT WHOLE LIFE AND NEVER DRIVEN IN INCLEMENT WEATHER BY ORIGINAL OWNER OR MYSELF. HAD VEHICLE IN FOR PA SAFETY INSPECTION TODAY, WAS TOLD EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS FOUND ON FUEL AND BRAKE LINES AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ASAP. REPAIR GARAGE SUGGESTED CONTACTING NHTSA AS A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION WAS LAUNCHED OF JANUARY 26, 2011 AT 10:34 AM NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11001 IT WOULD APPEAR MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS MINE AND I WANTED TO BE ON RECORD WITH REGARDS TO THE INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10415106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LOCKED UP WHEN A LEFT TURN WAS MADE WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE A WEEK. THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES. THE LEFT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LOCK UP OCCURRED ON A DRY PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LOCK UP EVERYTIME A LEFT TURN IS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/05/06.
NHTSA complaint #10160427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH OR ABOVE AND IF NEEDED TO COME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP IT WON'T STOP LIKE IT SHOULD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID BRAKE PADS WERE FINE, AND THEY DID NEED NOT TAKE APART THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO, THEY CHECKED A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BUT IT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. NOTICED THIS AROUND AUGUST 1, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10135065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH OR ABOVE AND IF NEEDED TO COME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP IT WON'T STOP LIKE IT SHOULD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID BRAKE PADS WERE FINE, AND THEY DID NEED NOT TAKE APART THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO, THEY CHECKED A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BUT IT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. NOTICED THIS AROUND AUGUST 1, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10135065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CADILLAC ESCALADE 2003 POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT SLOW SPEED. *BF THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY FIXING DOING VARIOUS THINGS TO THE BRAKES. GM FINALLY ADMITTED THERE WAS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10113469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
UPON PULLING OUT OF A CAR WASH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MASTER CYLINDER BROKE IN HALF WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN MOLDING OF THE METAL, PER THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10053832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO RUN INTO A CURB TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10053521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TURNING SLOWLY TO THE RIGHT AND OVER BUMPY ROAD SURFACES, VEHICLE APPLIES BRAKES ON ITS OWN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.