2003 Cadillac Escalade Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 28%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade, 28% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,500 miles. 4 a fire, 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.
“My blower motor is staying on continuously and the smell of plastic burning in the vehicle. I was told by a mechanic it is a blower motor control module shortage from the factory. I have found this as a recall on some 2003-2006 Cadillac escalades but my VIN is not on the recall they say it is a fire hazard. I was thinking that mine should also be on the recall list.maybe they missed mine for some reason.”
NHTSA complaint #10594960, filed 2014-05, 158,000 miles“On july 28th 2011, my 2003 Cadillac Escalade awd would not start. It had power to the seats, horn, lights, but no power to the locks, windows or radio. Therefore, I knew I didn't need a battery jump. I check the inside fuse panel and no blown fuses were found. I went to the fuse box underneath the hood and discover the 40amp ignition-b fuse was blown. I installed another 40amp fuse and it immediately blew out. I disconnected the battery, installed another fuse and the fuse blew out when I reconnected the battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10416763, filed 2011-08, 135,000 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 miles“The battery in my Escalade had been dying on me for a while. One day, my gauges all stayed stuck as if I was driving on the freeway. I drove it for a while until I was tired of jump-starting it almost everyday and I finally replaced the battery.the gauges all stayed the same. A few days went by and the battery started to die again. I realized that this was more than just a battery problem. I drove it 5 miles away from my place on the freeway and as I was coming back home it started to decelerate all on it's own. It marked system stability disabled and would not let me go over 25 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451490, filed 2012-03, 125,000 miles“Smoke began coming out of the cup holder area. When we opened the hood to see where it was coming from, the fuse box was on fire and several fuses were burned. The dealership has not been able to determine where it started but it appears to have started in the cigarette lighter.”
NHTSA complaint #10216306, filed 2008-01, 69,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V224000Aug 12, 2002Certain all-wheel drive sport utility vehicles were built without a power steering bracket to secure the positive battery cable, allowing the cable to come in…Covers: Cadillac Escalade 2003
Related service bulletins
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006274Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10237671May 19, 2023This 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…
- 10225615Oct 19, 2022This service bulletin provides information on Module Harvesting.
- 10198890May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
- 10197317May 5, 2021Service Update Bulletin (Labor Codes Added). Certain vehicles may have a condition where the engine control module (ECM) software allows the Auto Stop to occur at a state of…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 11% |
| 2025 | 6 | 30% |
| 2024 | 8 | 15% |
| 2023 | 16 | 11% |
| 2022 | 8 | 9% |
| 2021 | 9 | 12% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 9 | 18% |
| 2016 | 15 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 15% |
| 2014 | 8 | 40% |
| 2013 | 4 | 21% |
| 2012 | 9 | 45% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 13% |
| 2009 | 14 | 24% |
| 2008 | 23 | 17% |
| 2007 | 34 | 15% |
| 2006 | 5 | 26% |
| 2005 | 11 | 26% |
| 2004 | 20 | 29% |
| 2003 | 23 | 28% |
| 2002 | 16 | 14% |
| 2000 | 7 | 10% |
| 1999 | 3 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade
20 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 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