Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (115)
115 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 115 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 42 | 36.5% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 13.9% |
| Power train | 10 | 8.7% |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 7% |
| Suspension | 8 | 7% |
| Steering | 7 | 6.1% |
| Structure | 7 | 6.1% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 5.2% |
| Seats | 6 | 5.2% |
| Parking brake | 5 | 4.3% |
How 2002 compares with other Escalade years
Best and worst Escalade years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 39 | 2 |
| 2000 | 71 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 115 | 1 |
| 2003 | 81 | 4 |
| 2004 | 69 | 2 |
| 2005 | 43 | 2 |
| 2006 | 19 | 2 |
| 2007 | 230 | 4 |
| 2008 | 136 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 14 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 635 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 14 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 10 / 14 / 12 | $5,600 | 741 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2002 Escalade for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 Cadillac Escalade FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 02V253000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 Cadillac Escalade problems?
Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (42), Electrical system (16), Power train (10) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 Cadillac Escalade get?
EPA rates the 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 13 city, 17 highway and 14 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2002 Escalade compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2008 Cadillac Escalade model years at least five years old, the 2001 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2007 the most (230). The 2002 drew 115. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.