2002 Cadillac Escalade
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 52 of 115 complaints (45%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,800 | 4,450–5,200 | 4,450–4,800 | 4,450–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 13 | 12–14 | 13–14 | 13–14 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11 / 15 | 10–13 / 14–17 | 11–13 / 15–16 | 12–13 / 16–17 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 684 | 635–741 | 635–684 | 635–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 71 | 115 | 93 | 91 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 12 | 5 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 11 | 4 | 29 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Cadillac Escalade?
Brakes: 52 of 115 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade get?
EPA rates it 12–14 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Cadillac Escalade?
EPA estimates $4,450–$5,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 13 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | 14 mpg (high) | $4,450 (low) | 635 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 10 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | 12 mpg (low) | $5,200 (high) | 741 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 10 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | 12 mpg (low) | $5,200 (high) | 741 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 16 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 52 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
WHEELS:HUB · Campaign 07E106000 · Dec 19, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E043000 · May 22, 2006
Defect: 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.
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.
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).
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · Campaign 02V253000 · Sep 17, 2002
Defect: 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.
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.
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.