2002 Cadillac Escalade Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 9%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, 9% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,500 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.
“Parked vehicle in store parking lot to shop , when I returned to the vehicle and attempted to drive off the vehicle would not move . The vehicle transmission gears were stuck. The vehicle transmission did not slip, it was as if I trying to pull a building down. I had to pay for new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10258544, filed 2009-02, 70,000 miles“My 2002 cadilliac Escalade has had a serious problem with the throttle body and power train for two years I have been taking it to the dealer and they have been negligent in informing me of this recall and I have asked them about this problem on several occasions what can I do about this.”
NHTSA complaint #10261978, filed 2009-03, 110,000 miles“The control or instrument panel is going haywire has been for some time and the display of the odometer and the gear prnd is always out this is an issue I have seen with 6 other GM vehicles with the same issue and appct ears to be thexact same part or dispkay also the entire cluster for the driver works interminetly and displays things that are wrong when they are not and inot displaying issues when they are present.. Fuel speed RPM etc everything.. This has caused me to accidentally back into something by not knowing what gear its in.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10762754, filed 2015-09, 110,000 miles“The drive suspension light stays flashing and the vehicle is all over the road then come night the dash lights in the interior instrumental panel go off and your are unable to see your speed or any of the dash the vehicle does this weather it would be in motion or stationary and 8d is constantly doing this since I purchased the vehicle in 11/19/2020”
NHTSA complaint #11403278, filed 2021-03“When the accelerator was depressed, the vehicle lurched forward. The door(s) locked on their own, was unable to coordinate the clutch and accelerator, the cruise control was inoperative, the seat positioner didn't function properly, and the wiper blade was out of place.”
NHTSA complaint #568009, filed 2002-10Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 10% |
| 2025 | 2 | 10% |
| 2024 | 9 | 17% |
| 2023 | 21 | 15% |
| 2022 | 16 | 19% |
| 2021 | 10 | 13% |
| 2020 | 3 | 21% |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 12 | 24% |
| 2016 | 17 | 19% |
| 2015 | 28 | 29% |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 5 | 26% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 14 | 6% |
| 2005 | 7 | 16% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 9% |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% |
| 1999 | 3 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade
47 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsSteering
7 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 30, 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