The Lemon Index
2000
20032nd generation
52 owner complaints, first 3 years 12–14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Lincoln Navigator2002 BMW X5 642002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE 50
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Cadillac Escalade
- Rust / frame corrosion14 complaintsmostly at 71,000–152,000 miles (114,000–245,000 km)
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 55,000–116,000 miles (89,000–187,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 17 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E106000 (wheels), 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 04V129000 (body structure) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Cadillac sent dealers 607 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information regarding front and rear side access door noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 52 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 55K miles (34K to 89K km) on the car (17 of all 52 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Consumer states that brake rotors are wearing out, and when applying the brakes vehicle will have heavy vibration and extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.
2002 Cadillac Escalade owner · NHTSA complaint 10026181
More owner reports
Brakes are squealing and grinding. Stopping distance has not increased. Currently no light have illuminated as showing a problem. Dealer was notified of problem. Please provide more information.
NHTSA complaint 8012344
Consumer states while driving 50mph the vehicle lost power steering and power brakes. Please provide any additonal information. Ts
NHTSA complaint 8024071
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 607 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding front and rear side access door noise
- Some customers may comment about a whine noise coming from the steering column area while turning
- Subject regarding front and rear side door access door noise (replace door check link)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
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, …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
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, 2…
- Body structure · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE.
Show all 4 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2002
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac Escalade recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2011–2015
- ClosedUnwanted low-speed abs activation2005
- ClosedThrottle sticking closed2002–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac Escalade year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2002" title="Cadillac Escalade reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-escalade/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac Escalade year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (23%), steering (10%) and body structure (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have?
4 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade get?
12 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac Escalade year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works