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Cadillac Escalade EXTModel year report

2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
83,061miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
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 EXT (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and fuel system (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83,061 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 66 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 12 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.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “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 miles

Electrical system: “My 2003 Cadillac Escalade Ext. Was parked at 10:30 december 23. 2006 in my driveway, about 9-9:15 on december 24, 2006 the truck ignited itself on fire. The truck is severely burned as well as my wife's 2006 mercedes benz as well as my property.”

NHTSA complaint #10181087, filed 2007-01, 62,000 miles

Fuel system: “The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac ext escalade. The contact stated the vehicle would exhibit numerous electrical failures. When the vehicle was first purchased, the instrument panel overheated and failed as soon as he drove from the lot. The dealer replaced the instrument panel at the manufacturer's expense. In addition, the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and without warning on at least twelve occasions. The dealer advised there was a short in the main wiring harness. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. …”

NHTSA complaint #10343178, filed 2010-07, 168,000 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Ext. While the contact was driving approximately 75 to 80 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and the technician stated that the failure was related to the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired under the service warranty. The failure occurred on twelve occasions and replaced six times under the warranty. In addition, when the vehicle was first purchased the instrument panel was replaced by an authorized dealer due to failure. The power steering had also been replaced on the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10342574, filed 2010-07, 37,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 127,527 miles.

0%0–108%10–2517%25–5025%50–758%75–10025%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 83,061 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200420052007320102012201320143
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 EXT. 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 EXT · sedan not rated3 / 4——2

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 EXT 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 Ext 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 EXT → · 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. 66 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 66 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade EXT

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20081463,6994———Not enough data
20071678,2255———Falling
2005542,8411—13—Not enough data
200411106,0002—13—Not enough data
20031583,0612—13—Stable
20022286,0561—12—Stable

All Cadillac Escalade EXT model years

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT (Escalade Ext 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 EXT reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83,061 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 127,527 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.