VehicleVerdict

2002 Cadillac Escalade problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 164 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Escalade year — the 2002 model ranks #4 of 28 Escalade years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 50 reports (31% of the total).

164

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Escalade years?

Escalade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted317 complaints1999: 46 complaints2000: 96 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 164 complaints2003: 111 complaints2004: 99 complaints2005: 63 complaints2006: 26 complaints2007: 317 complaints2008: 180 complaints2009: 89 complaints2010: 47 complaints2011: 53 complaints2012: 32 complaints2013: 23 complaints2014: 29 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 120 complaints2017: 76 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 28 complaints2020: 15 complaints2021: 85 complaints2022: 98 complaints2023: 176 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 24 complaints2026: 16 complaints
Escalade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escalade years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes5030%
Electrical System2616%
Transmission106%
Suspension85%
Body & Structure85%
Engine74%
Steering74%
Seats74%
Other74%
Visibility & Wipers64%
Seat Belts64%
Speed Control64%
Tires & Wheels64%
Fuel System42%
Airbags32%
Lighting21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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 TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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 USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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).

02V253000SeatsSeptember 17, 2002 · 558,904 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

Remedy

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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AT SLOW SPEEDS (<5 MPH) THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL BRAKING. THIS RESULTS IN THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO STOP WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LED ME TO BUMP INTO A CAR STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE LINKED TO WORN BRAKE PADS AS THESE WERE REPLACAED ONLY 4…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 20, 2006 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DROPPED A PENNY INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, WHICH CREATED A THERMAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2013 · fire

“THE CONTROL OR INSTRUMENT PANEL IS GOING HAYWIRE HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME AND THE DISPLAY OF THE ODOMETER AND THE GEAR PRND IS ALWAYS OUT THIS IS AN ISSUE I HAVE SEEN WITH 6 OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND APPCT EARS TO BE THEXACT SAME PART OR DISPKAY ALSO THE ENTIRE CLUSTER FOR THE DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 25, 2012 · crash

“THE DRIVE SUSPENSION LIGHT STAYS FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD THEN COME NIGHT THE DASH LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENTAL PANEL GO OFF AND YOUR ARE UNABLE TO SEE YOUR SPEED OR ANY OF THE DASH THE VEHICLE DOES THIS WEATHER IT WOULD BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY AND 8D IS CONSTANTLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 19, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE LIGHTER AREA. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A PENNY IN THE LIGHTER AREA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CHANGE HOLDER WAS POSITIONED IN A MANNER WHERE CHANGE COULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 26, 2016 · fire

2002 Cadillac Escalade — common questions

Is the 2002 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 164 complaints put the 2002 model at #4 of 28 Escalade years. It is one of the Escalade years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Escalade problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (50 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints), transmission (10 complaints).

Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Cadillac Escalade. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Cadillac Escalade under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac Escalade years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escalade years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2023, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2000, 2009, 2021, 2024, 2011, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2013. The cleanest record among Escalade years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.