Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 24 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V129000

Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,662,211
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-17
Owners notified
2004-09-18

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Safety risk

ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes4130,000 mi
Engine3193,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic230 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip259,325 mi
Tires2—
Air bags190,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition16,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch166,857 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)182,111 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system170,528 mi
Parking brake1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Service brakes, electric136,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Steering: electric power assist system1—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1—

The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.