2002 Cadillac Escalade Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, 6% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,800 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“During a u-turn, on a 4-lane street the power steering and brakes stopped working. I wasn't able to steer or stop. The steering became very hard as well as the brake pedal. The Cadillac dealer suggested it was the power steering pump and changed it under my warranty. I picked the car up 1 week later after being told that my car was fixed. After leaving the dealer, I stopped at a traffic light and my break pedal began vibrating and again I was not able to steer the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161753, filed 2006-07, 58,800 miles“The steering wheel has a lot of play in it. When accelerating steering wheel pulls to the right. When stepping off the accelerator pedal steering goes to the left. Dealership is telling the consumer that there is no problem. Genral motors field representative says that the vehicle is operating within specifications. Consumer is unhappy with the findings, and would like to get this problem resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10084020, filed 2004-08, 19,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH the steering wheel locked and the brakes failed. The contact shifted into reverse in order to get the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering pump needed to be replaced. Three years later failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 166,000. Updated 11/16/12 the consumer stated the failure recurred at 166,000 miles. Updated 11/20/2012”
NHTSA complaint #10478790, filed 2012-10, 100,000 miles“The contact stated while backing out of the garage, at 3 MPH, the brakes and steering failed. The ignition was turned off and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, where it was determined the fluid in the power unit for the brakes and power steering was contaminated because of a broken seal, causing the failure. The power unit was replaced, and the other units connected to this were drained and refilled. Updated 3/28/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10151847, filed 2006-03, 35,382 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 2 | 4% |
| 2016 | 7 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 10% |
| 2014 | 2 | 10% |
| 2013 | 2 | 11% |
| 2012 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 6 | 7% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% |
| 1999 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade
47 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology