2000 Cadillac Escalade Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report problems with the antilock brake system, especially ABS engaging or pulsing at low speeds on wet or slippery pavement, and with the fuel system, where fuel smells and leaking tanks recur across many complaints. Complaints are spread fairly evenly from low mileage up to well past 100,000 miles, and several reports describe gradual brake or fuel-line corrosion that owners discovered rather than a sudden failure.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaking fuel tank

   • 12 complaints (17%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 12.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2020

   Many complaints describe a strong gasoline smell around the rear of the vehicle, fuel dripping underneath after refueling, and in several cases a tank found to be cracked or leaking along its top. Owners report tanks being replaced, sometimes more than once, and on occasion the leak continuing after the work. Some report a repair shop finding damaged wiring inside the fuel pump assembly, and a few link the smell to the injection system or fuel lines. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 168,000 miles, often noticed after refueling or while the vehicle sits parked.

   Recall 00V153000

   What to check: Inspect the tank area and the ground underneath after a fill-up, and look for a fuel smell in the cabin or garage. Ask whether the tank or fuel pump assembly has been replaced and whether the vehicle's entertainment-center installation recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Smelled gas fumes coming from gas tank area. A mechanic told me that there is a leak in the gas tank area that needs to be replaced as soon as possible as this may ignite causing fire. We saw on line that there was indeed a recall of this car model for the same above cited reason.”

   NHTSA complaint #10449828, filed 2012-02, 115,000 miles

   “2000 Escalade SUV fuel pump-three wires inside burning and melting together-my mechanic shop has part and other ones that he has replaced-we feel that one day there will be an explosion in fuel tank-spoke with one of your investagators a frank barris who told me to report this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10054657, filed 2004-01, 82,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS activates or pulses at low speed on wet roads

   • 13 complaints (18%)
   • median 75,500 mi at 7.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2015

   Complaints describe the antilock brakes engaging when they should not, mostly while braking gently at low speed on wet or slick pavement, with the pedal pulsating or dropping toward the floor and stopping distance growing longer than expected. Some owners report the vehicle sliding or spinning during these events. Several say the truck was taken to a dealer repeatedly and that new front brakes and tires did not change the behavior; others describe corrosion at a wheel speed sensor and connector, and one references a service bulletin on low-speed ABS activation. Reported from about 15,000 to 104,000 miles, often on wet or cold pavement and at speeds under roughly 10 mph.

   What to check: Brake firmly but gently from walking speed on a wet or loose surface and see whether the ABS chatters or the pedal drops. Ask when the front brakes and any wheel speed sensors or connectors were last replaced or inspected for corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Occasionally when applying the brakes, the brakes lock up and the car begins to slide. This started a few months after buying the car -- it was returned to the dealer -- this has happened over and over again-- examples: braking suddenly on rough road ( the washboard effect ), braking on wet pavement while driving slowly through a mall parking lot - braking after leaving a car wash -- braking at a stop sign, braking suddenly anytime -- naturally this is very scary -- I do not want anyone (husband, children) to drive the car except myself as I …”

   NHTSA complaint #764523, filed 2002-07

   “Antilock brakes do not function properly. Vehicle losses control at low rates of speed when braking on wet/slick surfaces. Recently has spun 360 degrees on a left hand turn in wet weather, traffic conditions were favorable and no damage occurred .continual problems in cold weather, brakes will fail when slowing for stop signs/red lights ,no control of vehicle and it slides until in loses momentum or brakes kick back in. Again have been fortunate and other vehicles steer clear.”

   NHTSA complaint #10167661, filed 2006-09, 15,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Rear wheel studs shear and wheel separates

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 50,250 mi at 8.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2012

   Complaints describe rear wheels coming off while driving, in some cases with several lug studs found completely sheared at the hub. One owner reports the rear of the vehicle dropping and the axle separating at about 25 mph. Another describes lug nuts coming off in a parking lot and clunking noises from the rear end beforehand. Owners say dealers were contacted but did not explain the cause. Reported across a wide mileage range, including vehicles at low mileage and during ordinary driving speeds.

   What to check: Have the rear wheel studs, lug nuts and rear axle inspected for torque, corrosion, cracking or prior shearing, and ask whether rear wheel or axle work has ever been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Wheels - 3 bolts sheared completely off during driving causing wheel to separate completely from vehicle. Battery: battery has failed on 2 different occassions requiring a jump start. Lighting: park lights - interior of light has condensation and may have been improperly installed and/or seal is bad.”

   NHTSA complaint #756098, filed 2001-12

   “While traveling at approximately 25 MPH vehicle dropped to the ground in the rear due to the rear axle breaking and disconnecting from vehicle, axle rolled approximately 40 feet away from the vehicle when this occurred, consumer felt that if this defect had happened while traveling at a higher speed, serious injuries could have resulted. Dealership has not given the consumer a reason for this problem. Dealer not willing to give any support in this matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #889850, filed 2001-06
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a crash

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 27,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2003

   Several complaints describe collisions, including head-on impacts and rollovers, in which the airbags did not deploy. Owners say drivers were injured in the rollover events. These reports are statements about what happened in the crash rather than about a warning light or a part replaced beforehand, and most simply note that the dealer or manufacturer was contacted. Reported at a range of mileages, including vehicles with about 27,000 miles on them.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag system has been serviced or diagnosed at any point, and have a shop check for stored airbag codes and any open campaigns for this model year before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at 30 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision and airbags did not deploy. Dealer contacted. Please provide additional information. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10001710, filed 2002-12, 27,000 miles

   “The trunk flooded during a heavy rain fall. The passenger door lock had malfunctioned and the seal around the back door had come apart. The consumer's daughter was in a rollover accident and the air bags did not deploy. Scc”

   NHTSA complaint #10006207, filed 2003-02
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Heated seat overheating and burns

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 6.4 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2023

   Owners report the driver's heated seat becoming extremely hot after the switch was turned on, in some cases burning through the leather and the occupant's clothing. One complaint describes a fire department responding to smoke and burning wiring under a driver's seat. A dealer reportedly said the condition was unfamiliar, and another owner chose not to take the vehicle in. Reported at various mileages, occurring shortly after the seat heater was switched on while driving.

   What to check: Test the heated seats briefly on each setting and stop if the cushion gets unusually hot, and have the under-seat wiring and connectors inspected for heat damage or scorching.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my Cadillac Escalade (yr. 2000) to a business meeting the heated driver seat was on and burned through the leather and burned me as well. I had to do an emergency pull off on the shoulder of the road in order to avoid getting burned severely. I almost wrecked my vehicle into oncoming traffic because the heat was so intense that I had to lift by bottom off the seat while driving approximately 35-45 miles per hour. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10054304, filed 2004-01

   “My drivers side heated seat burned when initiated switch after a while. I felt extreme heat while driving and turned off seat heating switch. I did not take to dealer for further inspection. I seen on a forum someone else had the same issue”

   NHTSA complaint #11508119, filed 2023-02

Buying note. On this model year, budget for a close look at the brakes, the fuel tank and the rear wheels, since those are where owners report the most trouble. A pre-purchase inspection at an independent shop that includes an ABS road test and an underbody check for fuel and brake line corrosion is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.