2003 Cadillac Escalade Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 25%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,168miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade, 25% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,168 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brakes have failed completely three times because of failure of hydraulic lines/components. Last time when brake failed I was on a freeway and I hit the brake to slow down the car to take an exit and lost complete control of the car. Thanks god no damage took place. I am having lot of rust/corrosion/chrome failure problem with this car.”
NHTSA complaint #10744936, filed 2015-07, 70,000 miles“I own a 2003 Cadillac Escalade purchased used from the original known owner last year. 27,500 original miles garage kept whole life and never driven in inclement weather by original owner or myself. Had vehicle in for pa safety inspection today, was told excessive corrosion was found on fuel and brake lines and undercarriage of vehicle. I was informed brake lines needed to be replaced asap. …”
NHTSA complaint #10415106, filed 2011-07, 27,533 miles“I was driving home from work and when I brake the pedal went all the way to the floor, I had no brakes what so ever, lucky me I was close to home, it looks like the brake lines is broke, I have a pool of brake fluid in my drive way.”
NHTSA complaint #10643736, filed 2014-10, 133,100 miles“I was on I 75 passing under miller rd in flint, mi when traffic started to back up and slow down. I applied the brakes and the car stated to slow down, the brake peddle then went to the floor and I had no brakes. I was able to down shift to 1st gear and get to the side of the road. The car slowed down to where I could get it into reverse to stop it. We where so lucky! I got it to a Cadillac dealer in dearborn, mi and found out that the main brake line had rusted through. I had all the brake line replace. …”
NHTSA complaint #10761781, filed 2015-09, 118,507 miles“After approximately 1 year the truck started releasing the brakes on its own while descending a mountain and had to reapply to engage for brakes to work this has happened at least 10 times since we bought the truck. Its was inspected at the dealership where it was bought and nothing was ever done . I was told it was normal for this to occur and nothing was wrong with the truck. Other issues are the electrical in the dash has shorts and sometimes the A/C does not work and comes on by itself. The gauges ,speedometer and fuel gauge do not work anymore and the air bag light stays on . …”
NHTSA complaint #10578672, filed 2014-04, 25,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V045000Feb 4, 2004Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135…Covers: Cadillac Escalade 2003–2004, Chevrolet Silverado 2003–2004, GMC Yukon 2003–2004 +10 more
Related service bulletins
- 10242252Aug 18, 2023This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns.
- 10226382Oct 18, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10178353Jun 26, 2020This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10168960Nov 12, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire…
- 10162149Jun 24, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10161004May 13, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10129088Jan 23, 2018This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10113364Jan 31, 2017This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10078876May 11, 2016This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 2 | 10% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 9 | 18% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2012 | 3 | 15% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 21% |
| 2005 | 8 | 19% |
| 2004 | 19 | 28% |
| 2003 | 20 | 25% |
| 2002 | 47 | 41% |
| 2000 | 13 | 18% |
| 1999 | 8 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade
23 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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