There are 8 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2002 Cadillac Escaladein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHILE STATIONARY, BOTH REAR SEATBELTS STOPPED REWINDING & REQUIRE A SCREWDRIVER TO UNTANGLE BEFORE ONE OF THEM CAN BE USED AGAIN. THE PASSENGER REAR SEATBELT IS COMPLETELY UNUSABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE WEBBING WOULD NOT RELEASE PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL WITH FORCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM BACK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR REAR END DAMAGE AND WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR BUMPER WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELTS FRACTURED AND UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE THREE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.
I WAS DRIVING HOME. OUT OF NO WHERE MY DRIVERS SIDE - SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANIOUSLY. I BEGAN LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD, AND STARTELING THAT I THOUGHT SOMEONE STRUCK MY DRIVERS SIDE. I AM LEFT SIDE - HEARING IMPAIRED, MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE WENT NUMB AND BEGAN TO RING PIERCINGLY. I GAINED CONTROL BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO EXIT THE TRUCK. I WAS ENGULFED IN CHEMICALS AND COULDN'T SEE. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND COULDN'T AS THE AIRBAG BLOCKED MY EXIT, AND / OR ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. WHEN THE AIRBAG BEGAN TO DEFLATE I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I WAS FORTUNATE MY SON AND HUSBAND WERE BEHIND ME AS WE DROVE HOME. THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING AS I JUMPED OUT OF MY TRUCK WITH A WHITE CLOUD OF FUMES BEHIND ME. I NOW FEEL AS THOUGH MY EAR HAS BEEN STABBED AND MY NOSE/THROAT ARE BURNING. *TR
WHILE DRIVING,THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS DUE TO A SAFETY CATCH FOR A CHILD SEAT OR CHILD. THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT OR BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSES BELT TO TIGHTEN TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT. IT MAY HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AS A SAFETY FEATURE, BUT IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE MY WIFE WILL NOT USE THE BELT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CADILLAC TO NO AVAIL. THEY CLAIM IT WORKS TO SPECS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT TRIED TO RIDE WITH IT ON FOR ANY TIME. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE VEERED AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, AND AIR BAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. DEALER CONTACTED. HAD FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK
WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH REAR ENDED CONSUMERS VEHICLE, UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ALSO DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD.*AK *SLC
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026