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2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
12Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
12
200322
200414
20055
2006
Compare all Escalade Esv years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
2Electrical System
2Engine
2Service Brakes
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1Tires
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
86,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10626261

Official recalls

1

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.