The 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 68,875 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V0450002004-02-0468,875 affected
Defect
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence
CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
1crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
1crashes
STEERING
1
TIRES
1
WHEELS:RIM
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac escalade esv. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, all the gauges and indicators on the instrument cluster suddenly failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster had failed but the part…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac escalade esv. While driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to decelerate. The abs and traction activity warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was…”
“Broken exhaust manifold bolts on engine found at under 100k miles. Creates serious fire hazard.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac escalade esv. When the contact drove in reverse and attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle made a loud noise. The contact's vehicle failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac escalade esv. When the contact drove in reverse and attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle made a loud noise. The contact's vehicle failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac escalade esv. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine. The check engine light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where a diagnostic revealed that the exhaust…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 cadillac escalade esv. The contact was driving 60 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be restarted and the was towed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and where the contact was advised that the fuel pump was…”
“Airbag light is on. Nothing was done prior to light coming on. I actually called gm to see if it was a recall and also to report the incident.... *tr”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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