2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv recalls and problems

The 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv has 1 recall and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2003 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 23 Escalade Esv model years — 16th most.

1recalls
12complaints
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
100,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Service Brakes

Feb 4, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · 68,875 vehicles

Problem: 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 relief valve bore.

Original NHTSA wording

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 RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal May fracture. Steering efforts May be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal May require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.

Original NHTSA wording

CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy & notes

Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or Hummer at 1-866-486-6376.

Gm recall no. 04004.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags2
Electrical System2
Engine2
Service Brakes2
Fuel System1
Steering1
Tires1
Wheels1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2005: 1 complaints20052006: 1 complaints20062007: 1 complaints20072008: 1 complaints20082010: 2 complaints201022011: 1 complaints20112012: 1 complaints20122014: 1 complaints20142015: 2 complaints20152016: 1 complaints20161

2003 vs. other Cadillac Escalade Esv years

2003: 12 complaints20032004: 22 complaints2005: 14 complaints20052006: 5 complaints2007: 39 complaints20072008: 17 complaints2009: 6 complaints20092010: 4 complaints2011: 13 complaints20112012: 3 complaints2013: 2 complaints20132015: 8 complaints2016: 15 complaints20162017: 38 complaints2018: 15 complaints20182019: 34 complaints2020: 22 complaints20202021: 74 complaints2022: 60 complaints20222023: 94 complaints942024: 23 complaints20242025: 14 complaints2026: 12 complaints202612

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv, the latest from Feb 4, 2004 (service brakes). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (2), electrical system (2), engine (2). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.