2002 Cadillac Escalade Ext recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
What could happen: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF…
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 ESCALADE EXT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Cadillac dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V129000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-982-2339.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Summary: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
Consequence: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Notes: GM RECALL NO. 04007. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2002 Cadillac Escalade Ext owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (61), Hydraulic (34), Electrical system (19), Transmission / drivetrain (13), Engine (12).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/06/2025 · Brakes
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that ther…
01/19/2025 · Brakes
Purchased this vehicle from a friend who was inherited from his father’s estate. He hadn’t driven the vehicle for sometime. When meeting up at the DMV to transfer ownership he noticed that the brakes were spongy. And purchased some brake fluid in case the fluid was low. Neither my friend or myself are mechanically impaired so We made the exchange of ownersh…
11/16/2024 · Brakes
The problem is in the anti-lock braking system. When the vehicle slows to under 15 mph. and you apply the brakes the brake pedal" kick back" occurs with loss of braking . Making the vehicle a hazard to drive. Now with repeated depression of the brake pedal the vehicle does stop. But, if you are approaching a stopped car or some other stationary object a col…
08/14/2024 · Wheels / tires
Driving carefully out of [XXX] here in Walker Minnesota using the newly opened east side of the parking lot exit and 50 feet later as I accelerated the Heavy Full size spare tire fell from under the rear of the truck and my 2002 Cadillac EXT left the ground as the tire bounced back up against the truck!!! If we had been going faster and in a Different area…
06/23/2021 · Suspension
Service Ride control and stability control system lights have been flashing the instrument panel cluster on my dash will cut off and not illuminate once it's time to turn the head lights on there is a ticking /clicking noise when first cranked up and as the gas is pushed and when accelerated and when driving over 65 mph the vehicle will start swaying to the…
03/16/2021 · Suspension
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 DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 11/19/2020
01/27/2020 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A HUMMING NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE BRAKE LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SCHMITT CADILLAC DEALER, LOCATED AT 915 W HIGHWAY 50, O FALLON, IL 62269) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL, HOWEVER, TO…
01/12/2020 · Electrical system
VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHEN IDLING. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AFTER A TWO-HOUR DRIVE WHEN DRIVER SLOWED DOWN WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT.