2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 7%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT, 7% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Ext. The contact stated that while loading his tailgate with 12 bags of 40 pound wood chips, he heard a popping sound . The contact then loaded a 13 pound bag onto the tailgate and approximately 8 to 10 bags fell onto his left leg and foot. He sustained major injures to his left leg and foot, which resulted in three surgeries. The tailgate cables were replaced prior to the incident due to recall number 04007 and again after the incident. The current mileage was 21,000 and failure mileage was 17,000. Updated 12-12-2007 updated 12/12/07”
NHTSA complaint #10203536, filed 2007-09, 17,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V129000Mar 17, 2004On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal)…Covers: Cadillac Escalade EXT 2002–2004, GMC Sierra 2000–2004, Chevrolet Silverado 2000–2004 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10112034Jan 28, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10037570Apr 1, 2012Gm: on some truck models there is some frame corrosion. *rm updated on 5/2/2012.
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology