Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Cadillac Escalade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from the front wheel hubs on the driver's and passenger's side wheels. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was brake fluid leaking from the brake lines, causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The problem is in the anti-lock braking system. When the vehicle slows to under 15 mph. and you apply the brakes the brake pedal" kick back" occurs with loss of braking . Making the vehicle a hazard to drive. Now with repeated depression of the brake pedal the vehicle does stop. But, if you are approaching a stopped car or some other stationary object a collision could occur. Thankfully this has not happened to me or my wife, as we are aware of this condition and prepare for it while stopping the car. The reason why this happens is because GM no longer produces the part that would alleviate this condition. The part is known as a Brake Pressure Warning Switch, part # 88983914. It is part of the ABS system. I have spent countless hours on the internet trying to obtain this part, but to no avail. …
Purchased this vehicle from a friend who was inherited from his father's estate. He hadn't driven the vehicle for sometime. When meeting up at the DMV to transfer ownership he noticed that the brakes were spongy. And purchased some brake fluid in case the fluid was low. Neither my friend or myself are mechanically impaired so We made the exchange of ownership and went on our way home. When we arrived my step father felt the need to investigate the issue. He discovered that every brake line under the drivers seat back approximately 24" were so rusted and soaked with brake fluid that fluid was dripping and making a puddle and was unable to pinpoint where the hole was at that time. We decided that the vehicle was too dangerous to drive, and returned to [redacted] to retrieve his trailer to bring the Escalade to his shop for safety reasons. …
When braking at a low speed <10mph the ABS system kicks in and pushes the vehicle forward when trying to brake. It started occuring randomly and very few times, but now is constant and everytime when slowing down. After taking it to the dealer, I had 4 new tires put on, by suggestion of the shop, and it failed to fix the problem. I had numerous close calls and eventually hit a meter when trying to park. The ABS triggers a kicking feeling that allows the truck to continue moving forward at least 3-5 feet after the brake is applied, even at very low speeds <5mph.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, a humming noise was heard without warning. The vehicle stopped and the brake lost power. There was no warning. The contact called the schmitt Cadillac dealer, located at 915 w highway 50, o fallon, il 62269) and was told there was no recall, however, to bring the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. Immediately after purchasing the vehicle on December 12, 2003, the contact felt a vibration while attempting to brake. The dealer stated that the brakes were the cause of the failure, but no repair was made. In June of 2004, the vehicle was returned to the dealer and they rotated, mounted, and balanced four new tires. After the repair, the contact noticed that the vehicle would not slow down when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they stated that the rear brake pads needed to be replaced and repaired. The dealer repaired the rear brake pads, rotors, and rear brake shoes. This specific failure has been ongoing for the past three years. Recently, the contact experienced failure with the ABS, which caused the brake pedal to extend to the floor. The vehicle would also accelerate and vibrate while braking. …
On 08/27/2007 my stability control system light was on in the dash board of my veicle, approached traffic light tried to stop and the brakes would not work, then the vehicle accelarated on its own. For the grace of god I was able to avoid an accident due to the traffic being light. I had my 2002 Cadillac Escalade towed to the nearest Cadillac service shop(ken dixon, waldorf md) in the area at the time. Dealer advised an issue with the ABS and the stability control uni adv cost of repair $2600 or more, advised by dealer no recall on either of these issues. To date nothing has been done, the dealer still has the vehicle and has yet to return any of my calls in reference to my claim. Items of issue service brakes, hydraulic: antilock- control unit/module-components-sensors vehicle speed control -linkage suspension which involves the stability control (asc)
ABS brakes/brake system: bought a pre-owned Cadillac Escalade 2002, after it reached about 75000 miles, ABS system makes a loud grinding noise when u press the brakes, extremely loud,brought the truck to a Cadillac dealership claimed they didn't find anything wrong.....something needs to be recalled with these trucks in regards to the ABS systems.....never made that sound before when I had owned it for about a year, after a year started to make a horrible unsafe loud noise when u press the brakes....feel very unsafe in the vehicle..... Also the truck accelerated once without my foot on the gas......truck was in park so the truck didn't move--just accelerated like it wanted to race. Noticed an electrical problem that started in the truck at around 80,000 miles---not all sensored areas are lit, 1/2 are, 1/2 are not, drivers heated seat stopped working also.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and depressing the brakes, the brakes failed and traveled to the floorboard abnormally. The contact immediately shifted the vehicle into neutral and applied the emergency brake. The vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact stated that the stability control and brake warning lights were illuminated immediately following the failure. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was later towed to an independent mechanic. After diagnosis, they advised him that all of the brake lines were severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for all the brake lines on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 48,077. The current mileage was approximately 48,275. Updated 01/29/13 updated 1/30/2013
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the ABS system activated at low speeds. This resulted in extended stopping distances, and there was no way to control when the vehicle will stop. The brake pedal came up and was very hard to depress. The vehicle skidded when trying to use the brakes. The service dealer stated that it was the same issue as in the recall for other general motor vehicles, but this vehicle was not included in the recall. The service dealer stated they would have to clean the wheel speed sensors, and if that did not resolve the problem ,they would have to replace the wheel speed sensors. The manufacturer stated that the contact's vehicle was not included in the recall, and the contact would have to repair the vehicle at her expense.
NHTSA investigations
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,…
Brake complaints in other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Cadillac Escalade?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, 41% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Cadillac Escalade brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Cadillac Escalade, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Cadillac Escalade brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.