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Cadillac Escalade ESVModel year report

2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
93,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 11 city / 15 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (17% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 93,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 419 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv. While driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to decelerate. The ABS and traction activity warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydro-boost failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v045000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10766335, filed 2015-09, 120,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, all the gauges and indicators on the instrument cluster suddenly failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster had failed but the part needed was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10810006, filed 2015-12, 140,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine. The check engine light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where a diagnostic revealed that the exhaust manifold bolts had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000 and the current mileage was 140,043.”

NHTSA complaint #10478143, filed 2012-10, 139,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,871 and 139,000 miles.

10%0–100%10–250%25–5020%50–7520%75–10040%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 93,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2006200822011201422016
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Escalade ESV · sedan not rated4 / 3——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Escalade ESV AWD6.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111513$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 419 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 419 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202611—35——Too new
20251412,80015——Too new
20242219,00024——Too new
20239140,00044—100 · MoreToo new
20225742,76544—50 · TypicalRising
20217469,608104—87 · MoreRising
20202265,0002———Rising
201934108,3501——0 · FewerRising
201815167,05414——Rising
20173831,27814—32 · FewerRising
20161537,0003———Rising
2015840,0006—17—Not enough data
201113100,0005—16—Not enough data
2009669,6005—15—Not enough data
20081752,5004—14—Stable
20073974,0004——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
2006536,5001—13—Not enough data
20051495,9871—13—Not enough data
20042272,0001—13—Falling
20031293,0001—13—Not enough data

All Cadillac Escalade ESV model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (17% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV (Escalade ESV AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 93,000 miles and the middle half falls between 69,871 and 139,000 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.