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2002 Cadillac Escalade Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, most often about the brakes (39% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems
Brakes
45 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The ABS control module fails when it is wet. The ABS control module was replaced once at the cost of $1,300. The mechanic stated that this was a rampant failure among this vehicle. While driving in the rain, the contact drove over a puddle. Since that time, the ABS control…
Abs brakes/brake system: bought a pre-owned Cadillac Escalade 2002, after it reached about 75000 miles, ABS system makes a loud grinding noise when u press the brakes, extremely loud,brought the truck to a Cadillac dealership claimed they didn't find anything wrong.....something needs to be recalled with these trucks…
Electrical
16 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the ignition independently disengaged from the start position. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. When the vehicle was started there was smoking coming from the instrument panel and underneath the hood of the vehicle. He opened the hood and there was smoke in the fuse box. The battery was disconnected. He called the dealer and was told to contact his insurance company or…
Transmission
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, clutch assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
My 2002 cadilliac Escalade has had a serious problem with the throttle body and power train for two years I have been taking it to the dealer and they have been negligent in informing me of this recall and I have asked them about this problem on several occasions what can I do about this.
Parked vehicle in store parking lot to shop , when I returned to the vehicle and attempted to drive off the vehicle would not move . The vehicle transmission gears were stuck. The vehicle transmission did not slip, it was as if I trying to pull a building down. I had to pay for new transmission.
Suspension
8 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: front.
I owned 2002 Cadillac Escalade, I bought brand new, we do not know how many times we sent this car back to dealer to fix something, I change tires every one & half year, right now we have big problem, when I drive on freeway entrance with turns, the stability light comes on, meaning time the car suddenly slows down…
Stability control
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic (asc).
The stabilizer track came on while driving on dry pavement. The vehicle has been to two different dealers on two separate occasions. The first dealer could not locate a problem and the second dealer replaced the sensors and the problem continued.
: the contact stated the service stability system light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the sensor was replaced the first time. The problem returned, but the dealership could not repair unless the light was illuminated while at the dealership. Also, the front passenger seat belt locked up…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body.
While driving consumer heard noise coming through the tailgate, and found the strap assembly broke on both sides. Dealership notified.
2002 Cadillac Escalade spare tire fell off the under-carriage as I was turning into my home driveway this is a full size tire and rim approx 50# if this would have happen on the expressway or major traffic route someone could have been hurt. Took the car to the dealership and they advised they never saw anything like…
Steering
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, column, electric power assist system.
: the contact stated while backing out of the garage, at 3 MPH, the brakes and steering failed. The ignition was turned off and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, where it was determined the fluid in the power unit for the brakes and power steering was contaminated because of a broken seal…
The steering wheel has a lot of play in it. When accelerating steering wheel pulls to the right. When stepping off the accelerator pedal steering goes to the left. Dealership is telling the consumer that there is no problem. Genral motors field representative says that the vehicle is operating within specifications.…
Engine
7 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Upon the recent development of a loud "ticking" noise when starting my 2002 Escalade 6.0 AWD, I immediately brought the truck into my local shop for diagnostics. A quick inspection found missing and rusted exhaust manifold bolts on the driver side of my engine, causing an exhaust leak. This leak creates not only a…
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the service stability system and the ABS brake warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was scheduled to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Cadillac Escalade recalls
Seats: head restraint
Risk: 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.
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 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
On january 11, 2011, odi opened ea11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 general motors (gm) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the united states that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin.the subject vehicles represent the first five my's of gm's gmt800 platform production, of whi
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
Summary
In a letter dated august 29, 2005, gm notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that may result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).gm's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently registered in the following 14 salt-belt states:connecticut, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounti
Throttle sticking closed
Summary
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (gm)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve may intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator may apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of additional accelerator pedal force, to open a stuck throttle valve, may open the throttle valve more than intended and, in turn, accelerate the engine and vehicle more than intended and reasonably expected by the driver.on august 1, 2002, the office of defects investigation (odi), of th
Questions about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Cadillac Escalade?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (45 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); electrical (16 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); transmission (10 complaints, typically around 92,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 17, 2002 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Cadillac Escalade?
- It is 4th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints, with 115 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.