2002 Cadillac Escalade Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from the front wheel hubs on the driver’s and passenger’s side wheels. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was brake fluid leaking from the brake lines, causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11691622

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

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)

NHTSA ID

11636981

Incident

Jan 6, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11625671

Incident

Nov 16, 2024

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

11302315

Incident

Jan 28, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667328

Incident

Dec 16, 2014

Mileage

170,230 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652500

Incident

Nov 4, 2014

Mileage

78,780 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10632654

Incident

Sep 8, 2014

Mileage

108,000 mi

ABS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10607266

Incident

Jul 12, 2011

Mileage

99,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560862

Incident

Sep 10, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10552616

Incident

Nov 16, 2013

Mileage

152,000 mi

TL* 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*LJ UPDATED 1/30/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10483397

Incident

Oct 23, 2012

Mileage

48,077 mi

TL* 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*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 166,000 MILES. UPDATED 11/20/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID

10478790

Incident

Oct 4, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL HUMMING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY SLIDE TO A STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK) *TR

NHTSA ID

10453153

Incident

Mar 26, 2012

MY 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAS BRAKING ISSUES UNDER 5 MPH. IT APPEARS THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED WHICH TAKES THE VEHICLE LONGER TO STOP. THE BRAKES GET VERY SPONGY AND DO NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO GET INTO SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS WHEN TRYING TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10361219

Incident

Oct 19, 2010

Mileage

47,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL HUMMING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY SLIDE TO A STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ID

10357874

Incident

Aug 16, 2010

Mileage

115,000 mi

I HAVE A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE AND HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES FOR THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS SINCE I GOT THE CAR TWO MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WON'T WORK WITH ME AND I CALLED CADILLAC AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR ATLEAST 3 MONTHS EVERYWHERE. WE HAVE CHECKED OVER 35 DIFFERENT PLACES. THE ABS KICKS IN WHEN YOU ARE GOING UNDER 5 MPH AND THEN THE TRUCK WON'T STOP. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I GO TO STOP THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10357762

Incident

Sep 27, 2010

Mileage

113,979 mi

2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ABS ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO UNWANTED ACTIVATION OF THE ABS AND ALSO THE BEARING SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10335951

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR STATE INSPECTION, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE AS ADVISED THE BRAKE LINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10326673

Incident

Apr 19, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

I OWNED 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE, I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY TIMES WE SENT THIS CAR BACK TO DEALER TO FIX SOMETHING, I CHANGE TIRES EVERY ONE & HALF YEAR, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE BIG PROBLEM, WHEN I DRIVE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE WITH TURNS, THE STABILITY LIGHT COMES ON, MEANING TIME THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN, LOOKS LIKE YOU STEP ON BRAKE. I BROUGHT TO DEALER TO CHECK IT, THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR, CAN NOT FIND WHAT COULD CAUSE THAT. THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, THEY KNOW THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. *JB

NHTSA ID

10306052

Incident

Jan 4, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY BRAKES ARE STARTING TO GO OUT. AND THE BACK AIR VENTS DON'T WORK SO IT TAKES A WHILE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO GET WARM WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269121

Incident

Jun 1, 2008

Mileage

55,000 mi

NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING WELL , STARTED HEARING ALOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THIS RAN MY BATTERY DOWN. HAD TO REPLACE MY ANTILOCK CONTROL UNIT MODULE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10258549

Incident

Jan 11, 2005

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHEN BRAKING AT A LOW SPEED <10MPH THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN AND PUSHES THE VEHICLE FORWARD WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE. IT STARTED OCCURING RANDOMLY AND VERY FEW TIMES, BUT NOW IS CONSTANT AND EVERYTIME WHEN SLOWING DOWN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I HAD 4 NEW TIRES PUT ON, BY SUGGESTION OF THE SHOP, AND IT FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS AND EVENTUALLY HIT A METER WHEN TRYING TO PARK. THE ABS TRIGGERS A KICKING FEELING THAT ALLOWS THE TRUCK TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AT LEAST 3-5 FEET AFTER THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS <5MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253741

Incident

Dec 30, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 12, 2003, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO REPAIR WAS MADE. IN JUNE OF 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ROTATED, MOUNTED, AND BALANCED FOUR NEW TIRES. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND REAR BRAKE SHOES. THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE ABS, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO EXTEND TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE AND VIBRATE WHILE BRAKING. SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HUB BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE CONSTANT FAILURES WITH THE BRAKES AND ABS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID

10242781

Incident

Nov 13, 2004

Mileage

50,000 mi

PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATING WHEN STOPPING AT A LOW SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232692

Incident

Feb 1, 2008

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS WHEN IT IS WET. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED ONCE AT THE COST OF $1,300. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A RAMPANT FAILURE AMONG THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A PUDDLE. SINCE THAT TIME, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS NOT WORKED. GENERAL MOTORS HAS YET TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF

NHTSA ID

10211564

Incident

Nov 28, 2007

Mileage

70,000 mi