Model year
2002 Cadillac Escalade
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 115 complaints for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 24 complaints under ESCALADE EXT and ESCALADE EXT 1500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14), SERVICE BRAKES (11), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP (10). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 12–14 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,800–$5,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 71 complaints
- 2002 115 complaints
- 2003 81 complaints
- 2004 69 complaints
- 2005 43 complaints
- 2006 19 complaints
- 2007 230 complaints
- 2008 136 complaints
- 2009 58 complaints
- 2010 38 complaints
- 2011 49 complaints
- 2012 20 complaints
- 2013 19 complaints
- 2014 20 complaints
- 2015 98 complaints
- 2016 89 complaints
- 2017 51 complaints
- 2018 21 complaints
- 2019 25 complaints
- 2020 14 complaints
- 2021 78 complaints
- 2022 85 complaints
- 2023 143 complaints
- 2024 52 complaints
- 2025 20 complaints
- 2026 38 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
02V253000 · Sep 17, 2002
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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.
Complaints
115 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 12, fire flag on 7, injury field 11, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ESCALADE EXT | 1 | 22 |
| ESCALADE EXT 1500 | 0 | 2 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA02015 | THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | Aug 1, 2002 | Jan 12, 2004 |
| PE05020 | UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; SERVICE BRAKES,… | Apr 28, 2005 | Sep 13, 2005 |
| EA11001 | Brake line corrosion failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | Jan 5, 2011 | Apr 8, 2015 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Escalade AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 10 | 14 | 12 | — | — | $5,600 |
| Escalade Ext AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 10 | 14 | 12 | — | — | $5,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Cadillac Escalade at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.