2003 Cadillac Escalade Electrical Problems

WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL USE OF BRAKES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON DRIVING 45MPH ON A CITY STREET. WHILE DRIVING THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SHUT OFF 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WHILE TURNING. T/C LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND IMMEDIATELY LOST RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. DASH LIGHTING SYSTEM FLASHES DIFFERENT INDICATOR LIGHTS, DISPLAY RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11290631

Incident

Dec 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA, SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH HIS BABY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTING THE HOOD AREA, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE BATTERY AND POWER STEERING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE LOCATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED, TOOK PICTURES, AND WAS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 02V224000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO FOLLOW UP TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10967873

Incident

Mar 21, 2017

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10807423

Incident

Oct 26, 2015

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FIVE SECONDS BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY RESPONDING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10745233

Incident

Feb 28, 2015

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PART BENEATH THE CUP HOLDER HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA ID

10703209

Incident

Mar 21, 2015

Mileage

182,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED FAILING TO DISPLAY ANY READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID

10672479

Incident

Jan 24, 2012

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, AND THE OIL GAGES DISPLAYED INACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID

10633654

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

Mileage

65,000 mi

IN STARTING TO ACCELERATE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR LOOSES POWER SIGNIFICANTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10596892

Incident

Mar 4, 2014

Mileage

140,000 mi

MY BLOWER MOTOR IS STAYING ON CONTINUOUSLY AND THE SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT IS A BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL MODULE SHORTAGE FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE FOUND THIS AS A RECALL ON SOME 2003-2006 CADILLAC ESCALADES BUT MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL THEY SAY IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. I WAS THINKING THAT MINE SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE RECALL LIST.MAYBE THEY MISSED MINE FOR SOME REASON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10594960

Incident

May 20, 2014

Mileage

158,000 mi

AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR THE TRUCK STARTED RELEASING THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHILE DESCENDING A MOUNTAIN AND HAD TO REAPPLY TO ENGAGE FOR BRAKES TO WORK THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. ITS WAS INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE . I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TO OCCUR AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. OTHER ISSUES ARE THE ELECTRICAL IN THE DASH HAS SHORTS AND SOMETIMES THE A/C DOES NOT WORK AND COMES ON BY ITSELF. THE GAUGES ,SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE DO NOT WORK ANYMORE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON . THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED WITH ZERO MILES ON IT AND PURCHASED FOR OVER $ 70,000 AND NOW ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10578672

Incident

Apr 4, 2004

Mileage

25,000 mi

THE BATTERY IN MY ESCALADE HAD BEEN DYING ON ME FOR A WHILE. ONE DAY, MY GAUGES ALL STAYED STUCK AS IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I DROVE IT FOR A WHILE UNTIL I WAS TIRED OF JUMP-STARTING IT ALMOST EVERYDAY AND I FINALLY REPLACED THE BATTERY.THE GAUGES ALL STAYED THE SAME. A FEW DAYS WENT BY AND THE BATTERY STARTED TO DIE AGAIN. I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS MORE THAN JUST A BATTERY PROBLEM. I DROVE IT 5 MILES AWAY FROM MY PLACE ON THE FREEWAY AND AS I WAS COMING BACK HOME IT STARTED TO DECELERATE ALL ON IT'S OWN. IT MARKED "SYSTEM STABILITY DISABLED" AND WOULD NOT LET ME GO OVER 25 MPH. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE NOVEMBER AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS. I READ ABOUT A RECALL BUT THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED SINCE 2002 WHEN THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT OUT. AS I HAVE READ THE DESCRIPTIONS ON WHAT PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE WAS, I NOTICE THAT IT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. (BCM RECALL 2002 #02066) . *TR

NHTSA ID

10451490

Incident

Dec 15, 2010

Mileage

125,000 mi

ON JULY 28TH 2011, MY 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE AWD WOULD NOT START. IT HAD POWER TO THE SEATS, HORN, LIGHTS, BUT NO POWER TO THE LOCKS, WINDOWS OR RADIO. THEREFORE, I KNEW I DIDN'T NEED A BATTERY JUMP. I CHECK THE INSIDE FUSE PANEL AND NO BLOWN FUSES WERE FOUND. I WENT TO THE FUSE BOX UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND DISCOVER THE 40AMP IGNITION-B FUSE WAS BLOWN. I INSTALLED ANOTHER 40AMP FUSE AND IT IMMEDIATELY BLEW OUT. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, INSTALLED ANOTHER FUSE AND THE FUSE BLEW OUT WHEN I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY. I REMOVED THE STARTER, DISCONNECTED THE ALTERNATOR, CRANK SENSOR, OIL LEVEL SENSOR AND BOTH IGNITION COIL PACKS. THE FUSE STILL BLEW OUT WHEN I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY. I RECONNECTED ALL ITEMS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED AND WENT UNDERNEATH DASH-BOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CHECK ALL THE WIRING HARNESSING AND WIRES. I WENT BACK TO THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD, FLIPPED THE FUSE BOX UP TO SEE THE UNDERSIDE. LOCATED THE WIRE THAT'S CONNECTING TO THE BLOWN FUSE, TRACE WIRE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD TO THE HARNESS NEAR THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONNECTING WIRING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HARNESS (RED WIRE WITH A WHITE STRIP) WAS SHORTED ON AN EIGHTH INCH METAL BRACKET BOLTED TO THE FIREWALL WITH FOUR NUTS. THIS SAME METAL BRACKET IS UP AGAINST AND POSSIBLY CUTTING INTO THE WIRES ATTACH TO THE WIRE HARNESS NEXT TO THE STEERING SHAFT. I APPLIED ELECTRICAL TAPE TO THE WIRE THAT SHORTED ON THE METAL BRACKET TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I INSTALLED ANOTHER FUSE AND THE TRUCK STARTED UP. *KB

NHTSA ID

10416763

Incident

Jul 28, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS, WHICH PREVENTED HER FROM DETERMINING HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 80,000 MILES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

10242937

Incident

Jul 15, 2007

Mileage

72,000 mi

SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE CUP HOLDER AREA. WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM, THE FUSE BOX WAS ON FIRE AND SEVERAL FUSES WERE BURNED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE IT STARTED BUT IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216306

Incident

Jan 24, 2008

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE CADILLAC DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST $100 TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND $500 TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS COMPONENT, HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAS HAD NEAR CRASHES AND RECEIVED SPEEDING TICKETS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07.

NHTSA ID

10196714

Incident

Feb 1, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE DEPT RULED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS ELECTRICAL FIRE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT CADILLAC IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT LIABILITY. *MC *JB

NHTSA ID

10187894

Incident

Dec 24, 2006

CADILLAC MOTOR DIVISION BLEW OFF MY INQUIRY. 05/26/2006 22:06:32CIDENT DESCRIPTION: WHEN TURNING OFF IGNITION WITH 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE, AND TOUCHING EXTERIOR MIRROR BUTTON TO FOLD MIRRORS IN OR OUT, POWER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY MOVES DRIVER INTO STEERING WHEEL CRUSHING SAID VICTIM INTO STEERING WHEEL. REMOVING KEY DID NOT STOP. ONLY WAY TO RELEASE THIS A SECOND INCIDENT WAS TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR TO KILL THE POWER. CORRESPONDENCE FROM GENERAL MOTORS RESPONSE IS NO FURTHER ACTION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS A THIRD TIME, I WILL DELIVER SAID AUTOMOBILE TO THE CLOSEST CADILLAC DEALER AND REMOVE MY LICENSE PLATES. DEAR [XXX], THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE ME IN REGARDS TO YOUR SERVICE REQUEST. THIS OFFICE GATHERS INFORMATION AND BASED ON THAT INFORMATION WE ARE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE BEST METHOD OF HANDING YOUR REQUEST. WE ARE CONTINUALLY MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN WAYS TO ASSIST THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS. AGAIN, I HAVE REVIEWED YOUR REQUEST 1-410654614 WITH THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. I APOLOGIZE THAT THE DECISION WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WISHES, HOWEVER; THIS IS THE FINAL DECISION OF GENERAL MOTORS AND WE WILL NO LONGER ADDRESS ADDITIONAL MESSAGES ON THIS SUBJECT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AGAIN WITH ANY OTHER CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE OUTSIDE OF THIS ISSUE. IF YOU SHOULD NEED TO CONTACT US IN THE FUTURE, SIMPLY REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE OR CALL OUR CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-458-8006. CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGERS ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. SINCERELY, [XXX], CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER : [XXX] POWER SEAT CRUSHING THE DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED OFF AND THE MIRROR RETRACTION BUTTON IS PUSHED... THE PAINT DAMAGE WITHOUT ADVISING OWNERS THIS IS FILLED WITH A LIQUID WHICH INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10158600

Incident

Mar 10, 2006

Mileage

41,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS CORRODED. THEN, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM FOR A SECOND TIME, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS DRAINED. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND LOST POWER WHILE ON THE ROAD. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A THIRD TIME FOR REPAIRS.*AK....THIRD TIME DEALER REPAIRED FUEL PUMP. AFTER THIRD REPAIR TRADED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10115206

Incident

Mar 4, 2005

Mileage

30,000 mi

WHILE TURNING A CORNER THE VEHICLE STALLED. *NM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. FUEL WAS PUT INTO THE TANK BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WAS INOPERABLE. *TC *JB

NHTSA ID

10101373

Incident

Sep 15, 2004

UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WOULD NOT START. *TC THE BATTERY SEEM TO BE WORKING BUT THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONSUME ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE JUMP STARTED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10105269

Incident

Nov 1, 2004

CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE NOT STARTING. TOWED TO DEALER, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WAS INOPERABLE. THE BATTERY HAD A DEFECTIVE CELL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TC AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10101687

Incident

Sep 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORM THE DRIVER THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED FEEDBACK ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND MADE IT SHUT DOWN BLOWING A FUSE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE VEHICLE AND IS NOW ON THE ROAD AGAIN. *TC

NHTSA ID

10092348

Incident

Sep 10, 2004

Mileage

59,822 mi

SUSPENSION SERVICE STABILITY DISABLED DIGITAL WARNING 5 TIMES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION IT ALSO READ REDUCED POWER AND POWERED DOWN FROM 70 TO 35 MPH WITHIN SECONDS WHEN DRIVEN IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. REMOTE ANALYSIS BY ONSTAR INDICATED MOST RECENTLY AN ABS PROBLEM REQUIRED SERVICE. OTHER FUSE AND WIRE/SHORT PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE DASH. *TT

NHTSA ID

10020802

Incident

May 26, 2003

Mileage

8,452 mi