Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 83 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Cadillac Escalade EXT (2002–2008) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 22. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (22 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Escalade EXT model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 63,699 | 4 | 1,089 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 16 | 78,225 | 5 | 997 | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 5 | 42,841 | 1 | 74 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 11 | 106,000 | 2 | 75 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 15 | 83,061 | 2 | 66 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 22 | 86,056 | 1 | 45 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes22 26%
- Electrical system20 23%
- Air bags20 23%
- Body and structure6 7.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain5 5.8%
- Engine5 5.8%
- Other or unknown4 4.7%
- Fuel system4 4.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “After driving the truck from work one day, all the lights on the dash starts flickering, there was a loss of power, no acceleration and speed gauge drop completely. I had no idea of the speed that I was driving plus the doors started locking and unlocking. I have looked online and there are many people with the same issue with GM products.”
NHTSA complaint #11039249, filed 2017-10, 123,450 miles2004: “The brake lines from the proportioning valve to modulator, lines from master cyl to proportioning valve had to be replaced. The quoted description is from the dealers service invoice. One or more of these lines corroded thru and failed while I was (luckily) in my driveway. I had filed a complaint in 2012 regarding corrosion failure related to the rear brake lines and in 2013 for corrosion failure related to the front brake lines. Odi numbers are available.”
NHTSA complaint #10747573, filed 2015-08, 142,270 miles2003: “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 lines severely rusted. Not safe to drive. I have four other cars and none have brake lines rusted like these. Suspect material used to make brake lines not to specification resulting in sever corrosion..”
NHTSA complaint #10610072, filed 2014-07, 127,527 milesOther Cadillac models
3,265 complaintsCadillac Deville
2,708 complaintsCadillac CTS
2,219 complaintsCadillac Escalade
1,723 complaintsCadillac Seville
793 complaintsCadillac Escalade ESV
529 complaintsCadillac DTS
527 complaintsCadillac Catera
463 complaints
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. Methodology