2003 Cadillac Escalade
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 81
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
32% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 81 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 39 |
| 2000 | 71 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 115 |
| 2003 | 81 |
| 2004 | 69 |
| 2005 | 43 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 230 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 49 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 98 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 78 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2023 | 142 |
| 2024 | 50 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 37 |
| 2027 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
32% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and front underhood.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. While pulling into a parking area, smoke entered the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle with his baby.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-03-22
Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. While driving at 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke emitting from underneath the cup holder. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the part beneath the cup holder had melted.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-04-01
Service brakes
26% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Breaks went to the floor and car went down embankment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-09-09
Electronic stability control (esc)
7% · 6 reportsSteering
7% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing pump and shaft sector.
Show complaint excerpts
Dt: the consumer stated the steering locked and the vehicle would not stop. The power steering pump assembly had to be replaced more than once. This was done when the vehicle was purchased used. This seemed to fix the problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-08-03
Air bags
6% · 5 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Taka ta recall, I was driving my vehicle hit a speed bump and my airbag in my steering wheel came out and inflated and my stability control light has been a probleum. At this time I didn't no what to do, so I called roadside for a tow truck.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-14
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2002-08-06Electrical system02V224000 Certain all-wheel drive sport utility vehicles were built without a power steering bracket to secure the positive battery cable, allowing the cable to come in contact with the steering shaft.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the positive battery cable routing and re-route, if necessary. No owner notification will take place since all vehicles were captured at the dealers.
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R
2003-02-17Structure03V037000 Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214, "Side impact protection." These vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began February 17, 2003.
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2004-06-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V045000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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2005-07-21Seat belts05V163000 On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2ND row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips…
Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on July 21…
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2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…
Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).
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2008-02-07Wheels07E106000 Certain federal-mogul replacement wheel hub assemblies with the brand names: national, carquest p/nos. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, and 515060, shipped between January 23, 2006…
Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify customers and will replace the hub assembly free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2008. Owners can contact federal-mogul toll-free at 877-489-6659.
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I
2011-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2015-04-08 Brake line corrosion failure
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Cadillac Escalade — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 21 reports on file for this year.
- Electronic stability control (esc): 6 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V224000 · Electrical system
- Recall 03V037000 · Structure
- Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 05V163000 · Seat belts
- Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E106000 · Wheels
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Cadillac Escalade is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Escalade?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.