Model year
2003 Cadillac Escalade
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 81 complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 28 complaints under ESCALADE ESV, 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 (9), ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (6). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,800–$5,150, 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
05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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…
04V045000 · Feb 4, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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…
03V037000 · Feb 6, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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…
02V224000 · Aug 12, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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.
Complaints
81 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 4, fire flag on 4, injury field 4, 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 ESV | 1 | 12 |
| ESCALADE EXT | 2 | 15 |
| ESCALADE EXT 1500 | 0 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 16 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Escalade AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 11 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Escalade ESV AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 11 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Escalade Ext AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 11 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
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 2003 Cadillac Escalade at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.