Cadillac
Escalade Ext
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · model years 2002 to 2013
The verdict
Best year: 2006. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 4; recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2.
Worst year: 2003. complaints: 15, about 3.8x this model's typical 4; recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2.
Year by year
| Year | Trims | MPG | Fuel cost | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | TSBs | Top complaints | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1Gas | 12 | $5,200 | 1 | 22 | 0 | no data | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 21%, SERVICE BRAKES 17%, ENGINE 13% | |
Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2003 | 1Gas | 13 | $4,800 | 2 | 15 | 0 | no data | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%, SERVICE BRAKES 13% | |
Score: 22 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2004 | 1Gas | 13 | $4,800 | 2 | 11 | 0 | no data | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 36%, SERVICE BRAKES 21%, AIR BAGS 7% | |
Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2005 | 1Gas | 13 | $5,950 | 1 | 5 | 0 | no data | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, EQUIPMENT 22%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11% | |
Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2006 | 1Gas | 13 | $5,950 | 1 | 0 | 0 | no data | no data | |
Score: 90 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2011 | 1Gas | 14 | $4,450 | 4 | 3 | 1 (1 open) | 1,186 | AIR BAGS 100% | |
Score: 46 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2012 | 1Gas | 14 | $4,450 | 3 | 1 | 1 (1 open) | 1,223 | AIR BAGS 50%, STRUCTURE 50% | |
Score: 63 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2013 | 1Gas | 14 | $4,450 | 3 | 1 | 1 (1 open) | 1,260 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 100% | |
Score: 63 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
How the numbers moved
How we score each year
We compare each year of the Cadillac Escalade Ext to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.
A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.
Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.