1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,099 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Cadillac Escalade brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Cadillac Escalade Owner Comments

problem #11

Jan 062025

Escalade

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 are mechanically impaired so We made the exchange of ownership and went on our way home. When we arrived my step father felt the need to investigate the issue. He discovered that every brake line under the drivers seat back approximately 24-?? were so rusted and soaked with brake fluid that fluid was dripping and making a puddle and was unable to pinpoint where the hole was at that time. We decided that the vehicle was too dangerous to drive, and returned to [XXX] to retrieve his trailer to bring the Escalade to his shop for safety reasons. We tried researching and did find where GM-??s SUV-??s did have a recall on this matter. The Cadillac is in excellent condition inside and out. The leather seats other than the drivers show no wear at all. Carpets show no wear. The exterior is in excellent shape without chips or dings. Basically a like new with 104,000. Miles which is considered low miles for its age. For our assessment of this issue that no matter the age of the vehicle, the Manufacturer should in fact take responsibility, and there for replace the brake lines, and the necessary bleeding of the system. In a timely manner as so I am able to drive it in a safe condition. Thank you Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Addy, WA, USA

problem #10

Nov 162024

Escalade

  • miles
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 approaching a stopped car or some other stationary object a collision could occur. Thankfully this has not happened to me or my wife, as we are aware of this condition and prepare for it while stopping the car. The reason why this happens is because GM no longer produces the part that would alleviate this condition. The part is known as a Brake Pressure Warning Switch, part # 88983914. It is part of the ABS system. I have spent countless hours on the internet trying to obtain this part, but to no avail. When you look up the part web sights will show you a picture of the part, but when you click on it you always get the same message, "part not available." I believe that this is a safety issue that GM could alleviate by producing it again. Last week I had my Escalade in for an oil change at Anschuetz Chevrolet, (where I bought this vehicle), while there I spoke with the service manager who told me "this is not an isolated problem." We can't get some parts for vehicles that are only 10 years old. This is terrible that a corporation manufactures a product then does not continue to make replacement parts for that product making it obsolete. Or in my case causing an issue with SAFETY! Please, would you look into this growing problem to help make my vehicle whole and safe. In essence what GM is doing is telling all of us: "Well if you can't get the part you want to fix your car simply buy a new one. I await your answer, please help.

- Ossineke, MI, USA

problem #9

Jan 282019

Escalade

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, a humming noise was heard without warning. The vehicle stopped and the brake lost power. There was no warning. The contact called the schmitt Cadillac dealer, located at 915 w highway 50, O fallon, il 62269) and was told there was no recall, however, to bring the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Cahokia, IL, USA

problem #8

Dec 162014

Escalade 8-cyl

  • 170,230 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving low speed and brake pedal went to the floor. No warning lights. Difficult to stop car. Selected lower gear and managed to stop car with what braking power remained. Had just gotten off freeway, could have been a serious accident. Brake fluid visible at rear of vehicle. Took car to GM dealer and they advised a rear steel brake line had corroded and had a hole. Stated all brake lines needed replacing along with brake calipers due to corrosion. They would have to raise body from chassis for access. Bill would be $3000 to $4000. They would gladly take this car in trade for a new GM vehicle. This car had all new brakes installed at GM dealer in 2013 and there was no mention of corroded brake lines.

- Ediso Island, SC, USA

problem #7

Nov 042014

Escalade

  • 78,780 miles
Severe leak(corrosion) in brake line at center pillar. Line is inboard of chassis beam, adjacent to fuel tank. Note this is the fourth brake line failure experienced on this vehicle. (mass car) had similar total failure on another brake line near the current failure. Dealer also found two other corrosion caused leakage at regular maint insp. All repairs made by Cadillac dealer.

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #6

Sep 082014

Escalade

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #5

Jul 122011

Escalade 8-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS not working.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

problem #4

Sep 102013

Escalade 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
This Escalade should be included in your action number PE05020. The vehicle activated ABS on slow braking as described in the above action number. This occurred multiple times until I figured out what was happening. GMC garage discovered trouble code and repaired wheel speed censors as per protocol and problem has resolved. GM takes no responsibility for this issue. This is a known issue and all vehicles with the same identical parts should be covered.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #3

Nov 162013

Escalade 8-cyl

  • 152,000 miles
While traveling 35 mph in traffic I incurred a loss of braking power. Upon closer inspection I noticed a brake line leak due to rust. Brake lines had rusted through causing a loss of brake fluid.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #2

Oct 232012

Escalade 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,077 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph and depressing the brakes, the brakes failed and traveled to the floorboard abnormally. The contact immediately shifted the vehicle into neutral and applied the emergency brake. The vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that the stability control and brake warning lights were illuminated immediately following the failure. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was later towed to an independent mechanic. After diagnosis, they advised him that all of the brake lines were severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for all the brake lines on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 48,077. The current mileage was approximately 48,275. Updated 01/29/13 updated 1/30/2013

- Crownsville, MD, USA

problem #1

Oct 042008

Escalade 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph the steering wheel locked and the brakes failed. The contact shifted into reverse in order to get the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering pump needed to be replaced. Three years later failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 166,000. Updated 11/16/12 the consumer stated the failure recurred at 166,000 miles. Updated 11/20/2012

- San Rafael, CA, USA

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