Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT, the most recent reported on March 17, 2004 (Structure: body, tailgate, hinge and attachments). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT?

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (5 complaints), followed by service brakes (4).

How many 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 22 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls and problems

1 recall and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls

Structure: body, tailgate, hinge and attachments

NHTSA campaign 04V129000 · reported March 17, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
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 visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic5
Service brakes4
Engine3
Electrical system2
Tires2
Air bags1
Electronic stability control1
Engine and engine cooling1
Parking brake1
Power train1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 6, 2015 · Service brakes · 153,000 miles
SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN THE ABS SYSTEM TOOK OVER, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO "PULSATE". I DIDNT THINK THE TRUCK WOULD STOP SO I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO MISS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT HAD ALREADY STOPPED. LUCKILY MY TRUCK STOPPED, BUT IT WAS…

Jun 19, 2015 · Service brakes · 163,289 miles
ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN STOP SIGN, I HAD TO STEP HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. SHORTLY AFTER I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL GETTING CLOSER TO "BOTTOMING OUT" EACH TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES. UPON ARRIVING HOME I FOUND, ON THE LEFT SIDE UNDERCARRIAGE BELOW THE BACK SEAT, FLUID DRIPPING AND APPROXIMATELY 24" OF THE…

Nov 1, 2014 · Air bags · 90,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING HOME. OUT OF NO WHERE MY DRIVERS SIDE - SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANIOUSLY. I BEGAN LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD, AND STARTELING THAT I THOUGHT SOMEONE STRUCK MY DRIVERS SIDE. I AM LEFT SIDE - HEARING IMPAIRED, MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE WENT NUMB AND BEGAN TO RING PIERCINGLY. I…

Sep 6, 2014 · Engine · 193,000 miles
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BROKEN AND THE MUFFLER REPAIR SHOP SAID THIS COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR REPAIR BILL IF THE OTHER BOLTS BREAK TAKING THE MANIFOLD OFF, IT COULD LEAD TO THE EGR PIPE BRAKING AND THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR BILL JUST REPLACING EACH EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT AS IS, THEN, THE REPAIR SHOP WANTS ME TO…

Jun 30, 2014 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Escalade EXT model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	1	22	1	0
2003	2	15	1	2
2004	2	11	1	0
2005	1	5	1	0

All Cadillac Escalade EXT years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT, the most recent reported on March 17, 2004 (Structure: body, tailgate, hinge and attachments). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT?: Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (5 complaints), followed by service brakes (4).
How many 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 22 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 6, 2015.