There are 4 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escaladein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHEN ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE" COMES ON. THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE MESSAGE GOES OUT AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE ENGAGES. IT HAPPENS 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR BEHIND ALMOST RAMS ME AND I AM IN A DANGEROUS POSITION WITH MERGING TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GM DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A CODE FOR THIS OR TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO OCCUR. *TR
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 FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SIX TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT A DISTRICT SPECIALIST WOULD BE SENT TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,900.
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
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
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 26, 2026