Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems by Year
NHTSA has 92 owner complaints and 16 safety recalls on file for the Cadillac Escalade EXT, across 12 model years (2002–2013). The 2002 model year has the most complaints (22). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Cadillac Escalade EXT years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Escalade EXT year: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2002 Escalade EXT: 22 complaints, 1 recall
- 2007 Escalade EXT: 16 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2003 Escalade EXT: 15 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2010 Escalade EXT: 1 complaint, 3 recalls
- 2012 Escalade EXT: 1 complaint, 3 recalls
- 2013 Escalade EXT: 1 complaint, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Cadillac Escalade EXT problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 26 | 8 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 21 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Structure | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Engine | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Cadillac Escalade EXT model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Escalade EXT | 1 | 3 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2012 Escalade EXT | 1 | 3 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2011 Escalade EXT | 3 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2010 Escalade EXT | 1 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2009 Escalade EXT | 3 | 5 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2008 Escalade EXT | 14 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 Escalade EXT | 16 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2006 Escalade EXT | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2005 Escalade EXT | 5 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2004 Escalade EXT | 11 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Escalade EXT | 15 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 Escalade EXT | 22 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Cadillac: all Cadillac models · Cadillac VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Escalade EXT years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2002 (22), 2003 (15), 2004 (11), 2007 (16), 2008 (14) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Escalade EXT year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Cadillac Escalade EXT?
Air Bags, with 26 complaints across 8 model years.
How many recalls does the Cadillac Escalade EXT have?
16 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.