NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Cadillac Escalade Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Cadillac Escalade has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 115 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 Cadillac Escalade owner complaints

Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, describing incidents dated May 24, 2001 to August 1, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Service Brakes 42 complaints
  • Electrical System 16 complaints
  • Power Train 9 complaints
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 8 complaints
  • Suspension 8 complaints
  • Engine 7 complaints

Of the 115 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 115 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11691622 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11636981 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11625671 · Filed

    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…

Read all 115 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Cadillac Escalade in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #07E106000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 2007 · FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 130,000 vehicles

Owners notified February 7, 2008

Defect description

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Safety consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO REPLACEMENT NATIONAL, CARQUEST WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS OR FORD.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS/FUEL LEAK

NHTSA #06E043000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 2006 · HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Potentially affected: 88,303 vehicles

Owners notified October 18, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FRAM FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS

NHTSA #02V253000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Head Restraint · NHTSA notice

Reported September 17, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 558,904 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02039 · Owners notified November 8, 2002 · Vehicles built November 1, 2000 – February 28, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Cadillac Escalade model years

Check your 2002 Cadillac Escalade VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac Escalade at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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