2002 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
164 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 52/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 64,400 miles.
Below average
Where 2002 sits among all Escalade years
What owners report
“While traveling on the freeway approaching an intersection. He apply his brakes the pedal went all the way down to the floor there were no brakes. The dealership is aware of the problem. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Escalade
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 90 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 79,390 miles. Half of those reports fall between 47,000 and 113,979 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY…
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR…
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V379000.
Technical service bulletins
601 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2002 Escalade TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
The 2002 Cadillac Escalade drew 164 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 52/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade are brakes & stability (53 complaints), electrical (18), and other (15).
At what mileage do 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems around 79,390 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 47,000 and 113,979 miles.
Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Cadillac Escalade. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.