2002 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Escalade years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade. That ranks 4th out of 28 Escalade model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (28 complaints, 24%), typically at around 50,000 miles. Complaints mention 12 crashes, 7 fires, 11 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 115owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 12complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Cadillac Escalade 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 28 | 24% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 16 | 14% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 10% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 10 | 9% | 92,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 8 | 7% | 50,040 | — | — |
| Steering | 7 | 6% | 58,800 | — | — |
| Structure | 7 | 6% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 5% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 6 | 5% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control | 5 | 4% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 5 | 4% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 4% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 4% | 92,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 3% | 86,380 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 3% | 33,800 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 3% | 223,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 3% | 69,706 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 3% | 125,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 2% | 97,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2% | 109,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2% | 86,435 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 2% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 2% | 80,490 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% | 200,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Cadillac Escalade recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with rearward folding head restraints on the second row seats, two potential pinch points exist on each of the folding head restraints when the restraints are folded rearward as the seatback is folded down.
Risk: If a person were to insert their finger(s) into the pinch point when the head restraint folds, it could trap and pinch the finger(s) causing injury.
Fix: Dealers will install protective covers over the pinch points. Owner notification began november 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Brake line corrosion failure (EA11001) — opened Jan 5, 2011, closed Apr 8, 2015.
- Unwanted low-speed abs activation (PE05020) — opened Apr 28, 2005, closed Sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V379000.
- Throttle sticking closed (EA02015) — opened Aug 1, 2002, closed Jan 12, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the fuel pump…
Purchased this vehicle from a friend who was inherited from his fatherâs estate. He hadnât driven the vehicle for sometime. When meeting up at the DMV to transfer ownership he noticed that the brakes were spongy. And purchased some brake fluid in case the fluid was low. Neither my friend or…
The problem is in the anti-lock braking system. When the vehicle slows to under 15 mph. and you apply the brakes the brake pedal" kick back" occurs with loss of braking . Making the vehicle a hazard to drive. Now with repeated depression of the brake pedal the vehicle does stop. But, if you are…
Driving carefully out of [XXX] here in Walker Minnesota using the newly opened east side of the parking lot exit and 50 feet later as I accelerated the Heavy Full size spare tire fell from under the rear of the truck and my 2002 Cadillac EXT left the ground as the tire bounced back up against the…
Service Ride control and stability control system lights have been flashing the instrument panel cluster on my dash will cut off and not illuminate once it's time to turn the head lights on there is a ticking /clicking noise when first cranked up and as the gas is pushed and when accelerated and…
Other Cadillac Escalade years
← 2001 Escalade · 2003 Escalade →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escalade | 36 | 3 |
| 2025 Escalade | 20 | 1 |
| 2024 Escalade | 52 | 2 |
| 2023 Escalade | 141 | 4 |
| 2022 Escalade | 85 | 4 |
| 2021 Escalade | 74 | 9 |
| 2020 Escalade | 14 | 2 |
| 2019 Escalade | 25 | 0 |
| 2018 Escalade | 21 | 1 |
| 2017 Escalade | 51 | 2 |
| 2016 Escalade | 89 | 4 |
| 2015 Escalade | 98 | 9 |
| 2014 Escalade | 20 | 2 |
| 2013 Escalade | 19 | 4 |
| 2012 Escalade | 20 | 3 |
| 2011 Escalade | 49 | 6 |
| 2010 Escalade | 38 | 3 |
| 2009 Escalade | 58 | 5 |
| 2008 Escalade | 136 | 4 |
| 2007 Escalade | 230 | 4 |
| 2006 Escalade | 19 | 2 |
| 2005 Escalade | 43 | 2 |
| 2004 Escalade | 69 | 2 |
| 2003 Escalade | 81 | 4 |
| 2002 | 115 | 1 |
| 2001 Escalade | 3 | 0 |
| 2000 Escalade | 71 | 1 |
| 1999 Escalade | 39 | 2 |
See all Cadillac Escalade 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 2002 Cadillac Escalade?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, service brakes problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 28 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Cadillac Escalade?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Cadillac Escalade a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Escalade model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.