There are 2 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2003 Cadillac Escaladein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LOADING HIS TAILGATE WITH 12 BAGS OF 40 POUND WOOD CHIPS, HE HEARD A POPPING SOUND . THE CONTACT THEN LOADED A 13 POUND BAG ONTO THE TAILGATE AND APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 10 BAGS FELL ONTO HIS LEFT LEG AND FOOT. HE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURES TO HIS LEFT LEG AND FOOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THREE SURGERIES. THE TAILGATE CABLES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT DUE TO RECALL NUMBER 04007 AND AGAIN AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 12-12-2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
WHEN EXPOSED TO WATER, WATER ENTERED REAR CARGO AREA OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THERE WERE PANELS ON THE EXTERIOR THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED WATER FROM ENTERING. BUT THIS WAS A NORMAL PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
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