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2003 Cadillac Escalade Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade, most often about the electrical (28% of complaints, typically around 96,500 miles). It is 8th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Cadillac Escalade problems
Electrical
23 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the speedometer has stopped working. The Cadillac dealer and the manufacturer stated that since his vehicle is out of warranty, it would cost $100 to inspect the vehicle and $500 to replace the speedometer. The contact stated that there are numerous…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. While driving approximately 55 MPH, all of the warning indicators illuminated and the accelerator pedal failed to respond for approximately three to five seconds before independently responding. The failure recurred on multiple occasions at various speeds. The vehicle was not…
Brakes
20 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages.
Brake line corrosion caused rapid loss of hydraulic fluid . Steel line ruptured within a plastic retainer located on the left side of the car on the left frame rail directly behind the left front shock.. I have kept the exact ruptured part.. There were no signs of corrosion anywhere else on the vehicle in fact the…
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, she applied the brakes to avoid a vehicle pulling into her lane but the vehicle continued to move forward and then skidded. The vehicle finally came to a stop and the stability system disabled as the brake lights illuminated. The…
Stability control
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic (asc).
Taka ta recall, I was driving my vehicle hit a speed bump and my airbag in my steering wheel came out and inflated and my stability control light has been a probleum. At this time I didn't no what to do, so I called roadside for a tow truck. My sensors have been coming on every since.can something be done to help with…
Electronic stability control problem on the 2003 Cadillac Escalade traction control light comes on, ABS light comes on, service stability control alarm comes on. When it is not one alarm or the other it is all. Replaced hubs, shocks, sensors, compressor several times, worked on system grounds for electrical, etc.…
Engine
8 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the stability control and reduced engine power warning messages illuminated as the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but the cause for the failure was undetermined.…
When accelerating into traffic, the engine looses power and the "traction control message" comes on. The car comes to a stop. When you lift your foot off the accelerator the message goes out and when you press the accelerator, the engine engages. It happens 2 to 3 times a week and is very dangerous when it happens…
Steering
6 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: gear box, hydraulic power assist.
Dt: the consumer stated the steering locked and the vehicle would not stop. The power steering pump assembly had to be replaced more than once. This was done when the vehicle was purchased used. This seemed to fix the problem. Approximately 10 days ago consumer noticed brakes would shook on uneven pavement while road…
Chrome lining of wheels has been peeling for years. When first appeared factory rep from Cadillac/gm inspected car and stated only cosmetic (car was still under warranty). My concern was that it would eventually go into the interface of the tire and wheel. I have complained to gm several occasions. It has. Been…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
While driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic inform the driver that the battery needed to be replaced, however the problem recurred. Please provide further details. The dealer discovered…
When accelerating into traffic, the engine looses power and the "traction control message" comes on. The car comes to a stop. When you lift your foot off the accelerator the message goes out and when you press the accelerator, the engine engages. It happens 2 to 3 times a week and is very dangerous when it happens…
Air bags
5 complaints · 6%After approximately 1 year the truck started releasing the brakes on its own while descending a mountain and had to reapply to engage for brakes to work this has happened at least 10 times since we bought the truck. Its was inspected at the dealership where it was bought and nothing was ever done . I was told it was…
Taka ta recall, I was driving my vehicle hit a speed bump and my airbag in my steering wheel came out and inflated and my stability control light has been a probleum. At this time I didn't no what to do, so I called roadside for a tow truck. My sensors have been coming on every since.can something be done to help with…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Consumer complained after replacing two front tires at a tire company the left side tire had 1 broken lug and two loose lugs. The right side tire had three broken lugs and three loose lugs.
Chrome lining of wheels has been peeling for years. When first appeared factory rep from Cadillac/gm inspected car and stated only cosmetic (car was still under warranty). My concern was that it would eventually go into the interface of the tire and wheel. I have complained to gm several occasions. It has. Been…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Cadillac Escalade recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: As a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began february 17, 2003. 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 cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 214, "side impact protection." these vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door upper hinge. On some of these vehicles, one or two of the welds may not be to specification.
Electrical: cables
Risk: This contact could cause a wear-through of the cable insulation, exposing the wire core and result in intermittent electrical shorting. If enough current is discharged at the point of contact, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the positive battery cable routing and re-route, if necessary. No owner notification will take place since all vehicles were captured at the dealers.
Full defect summary
Certain all-wheel drive sport utility vehicles were built without a power steering bracket to secure the positive battery cable, allowing the cable to come in contact with the steering shaft.
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
Questions about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Escalade?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (23 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles); brakes (20 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles); stability control (9 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Cadillac Escalade?
- It is 8th of 27 Escalade model years by number of complaints, with 81 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.