2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Escalade EXT years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 12 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT. That ranks 3rd out of 12 Escalade EXT model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 27%), typically at around 62,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 fires, 3 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 15owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 27% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 27% | 79,436 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 20% | 145,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 13% | 102,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 13% | 168,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 13% | 102,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 7% | 34,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 7% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 7% | 17,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 7% | 70,122 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 7% | 70,122 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Brake peddle went to the floor. Dealer diagnosed rusted brake lines. *tr
I had just left my home and at the first stop sign the brakes failed, the pedal went to the floor, used emergency brake to stop. Returned home and found brake fluid coming from the left front frame area under the master cylinder. Pulled wheel off and the steel brake line had ruptured. All brake…
While driving the vehicle it appears the vehicle speed is not responding to the accelerator. You push down on the accelerator to increase speed while in traffic and nothing happens. This has occurred at least 3 times since we purchased the vehicle on june 17 of this year. Dealer states there are no…
Brake pedal went to the floor and subsequently lost all brake fluid. Cause was a corroded rear, steel (hard) brake line along the frame. *tr
2003 cadillac escalade ext. Consumer writes in regards to brake system failure in vehicle. *smd the consumer stated on two occasions, he experienced brake system failure which was related to oxidation and rust damage to the brake lines (metal tubing) and subsequent loss of brake fluid. The first…
Other Cadillac Escalade EXT years
← 2002 Escalade EXT · 2004 Escalade EXT →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Escalade EXT | 1 | 3 |
| 2012 Escalade EXT | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 Escalade EXT | 3 | 4 |
| 2010 Escalade EXT | 1 | 3 |
| 2009 Escalade EXT | 3 | 5 |
| 2008 Escalade EXT | 14 | 4 |
| 2007 Escalade EXT | 16 | 5 |
| 2006 Escalade EXT | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 Escalade EXT | 5 | 1 |
| 2004 Escalade EXT | 11 | 2 |
| 2003 | 15 | 2 |
| 2002 Escalade EXT | 22 | 1 |
See all Cadillac Escalade EXT problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.
Similar Cadillac models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT?
Owners most often report electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Escalade EXT model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.