2003 Cadillac Escalade 6.0 Liter from North America

Summary:

Great Truck

Faults:

My transfer case failed at 54,000 miles. With no warning the truck started to vibrate heavily at highway speed, took it to the dealer, and he said the output shaft bearing was shot. When it failed it also cracked the case. Repair cost is $2,842.00 for a remanufactured transfer case, including 5.5 hours of labor, and new slip yoke and u-joint.

Since new, when going uphill at 20-30 mph and turning sharp right, the stability system activates by shutting fuel flow off, and automatically activating brakes. Dealer said they have no fix, kept telling me new software would fix it, but finally gave up. If one manually turns off the stabilitrack, then the truck turns fine.

General Comments:

Truck has great looks. Cadillac corporate does not seem to care much about customer service, except for sending out surveys about their dealers - the real problem seems to be the corporation - not the dealers. As my local dealer said today - "our new district manager is a real idiot".

Last time I buy a Cadillac - I have owned an Eldorado, an STS, a DeVille Concours, a DeVille DTS (still own). After spending almost a half-million dollars on GM cars - I am done with them. No more.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd January, 2007

26th Jul 2008, 19:43

GM does not care about the quality and reliability. All they care about is money. GM cars have bad materials yet always have problems. Many Americans started to hate GM, and if GM does not take responsibility for this, all GM cars sales will go down and less people will buy GM cars. If anyone reads this comment, please report to GM USA...

27th Jul 2008, 19:21

Why does a Cadillac Escalade even have a transfer case? Did somebody actually believe that one would ever be driven off-road, or that an Escalade owner even knows the difference between "4 Low" and "4 High"?

28th Nov 2009, 20:24

It's AWD, more for safety traction, not so much for off-road action.

28th Nov 2009, 20:51

It's AWD, more for safety traction, not so much for off-road action.

14th Oct 2010, 11:38

I own 2003 also, and it is the most luxurious vehicle I've ever owned or driven since 1976. Complaints are that GM's using unreliable components on such expensive/lux vehicle, such as oil pressure switch, fan blower, cheap plastics that that get rubbed off easily, etc.

Other than that, the Escalade looks and rides nicely.

2003 Cadillac Escalade 6.0L V8 from North America

Summary:

Finest luxury SUV on the planet!

Faults:

Nothing - brand new; hence the "N/A"s.

UNbelievable comfort and drive! We thought we were spoiled with our 2000 Suburban! GM hasn't missed a trick on this one.

Tighter turning circle than my neighbor's BMW X5 - he's going to get one now!

General Comments:

Before you buy a luxury SUV you MUST drive this one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th June, 2003

27th Feb 2006, 15:45

I'd have to disagree with "the finest luxury SUV on the planet". my friend has a Escalade, and they are nice, but my Range Rover is by far more luxurious.

28th Feb 2006, 14:22

Yeah, but Range Rovers are ugly, and they are owned by ford : (

3rd Aug 2006, 13:54

I've had my 2003 Escalade since new and now has 47,000 miles on it. Unbelievable performance, looks and reliability.

It's American made also.

If you are in the market for a luxury model, test drive this last because once you try it, you will buy it.