2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls

Most common 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Problem areas named in the 12 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	2
Air Bags	2
Engine	2
Service Brakes	2
Wheels	1
Steering	1
Tires	1
Fuel System, Gasoline	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1

What owners report

2016-01-18, Engine
BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON ENGINE FOUND AT UNDER 100K MILES. CREATES SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.

2015-12-14, Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, ALL THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED BUT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

2015-09-21, Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE. THE ABS AND TRACTION ACTIVITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRO-BOOST FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

2014-08-19, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN

2012-10-01, Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,043.

2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV questions

Does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (2), Air Bags (2), Engine (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.