2003 Cadillac Escalade Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,850miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Cadillac Escalade, 4% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,850 miles.
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.
“All of a sudden 3rd and 4th gears became useless causing a rapid deacceleration of the vehicle and posing the possibility of being rear ended with end result of massive damage to vehicle and serious injury to occupants”
NHTSA complaint #11569842, filed 2024-02Related 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…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 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 2003 Cadillac Escalade
23 complaintsBrakes
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 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