2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls 2
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.
Fix: 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 1-8…
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Fix: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
What's a 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Brake line corrosion failure Closed
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, Illinois…
NHTSA #EA11001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jan 2011 · closed Apr 2015An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 782
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 782.
This PI Communicates information to ensure Memory Recall is enabled to ensure memory mirrors return to set position after curbview assist is used.
Bulletin PIT6446 · Nov 2025This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment…
Bulletin PIP5358D · Feb 2025This Preliminary information communicates to dealership technicians that they will need to perform this step prior to performing any programming on replacement radios.
Bulletin PIT6105C · Feb 2025This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record…
Bulletin PIP4723J · Electrical System · Oct 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…
Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…
Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in que…
Bulletin PIT3271P · Sep 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exc…
Bulletin General Communication · Electrical System · Aug 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the customer the specification for speedometer needle accuracy is +/- 2 MPH at any given…
Bulletin PIT5195H · Electrical System · Aug 2024Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ESCALADE EXT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the 2nd row centre occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants. A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow unfavourable occupant kinetics in the event of a crash. Moreover, the higher routing allows the lap belt to ride up on an oc…
Transport Canada #2005119 · Apr 2005Other
On certain vehicles, the galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position can corrode over time and fracture when loads are applied to them. Tailgate support cable corrosion may not be visible because of the plastic sheathing covering the cable. If one cable fractured, the remaining cable may retain the tailgat…
Transport Canada #2004102 · Mar 2004Brakes
On certain vehicles, the relief valve o-ring seal within the brake hydro-boost module could fail. If this happens during braking applications, the driver may be able to hear an engine compartment noise similar to the sound that occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a full stop position. The driver could also experience a slight increase in steering efforts while braking a…
Transport Canada #2004037 · Jan 2004Label
On certain vehicles, the following statements were omitted from the SIR caution label: "Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front" for the vehicles without an air bag switch or "Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front unless air bag is off" for vehicles with an air bag switch and "Sit far back as possible from the air bag". The statements are printed in the Owner'…
Transport Canada #2003063 · Mar 2003Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac as its first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs during the late 1990s, including the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built at Arlington Assembly in Arlington, Texas.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT trims & engines on record
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT vehicles on record
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N93G179191
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N63G328477
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N73G138705
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63NX3G231752
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N83G331140
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N43G330955
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N33G157591
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N23G262879
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N13G323512
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYEK63N23G320909
2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT EXT - Sport Utility Truck3GYEK63N73G289799