Cadillac›Escalade EXT›2002›Overview/cadillac/escalade-ext/2002/base/

2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Escalade EXT.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT appeared as Cadillac's full-size SUV offering, pairing a four-speed automatic transmission with a powertrain calling for 6 quarts of 5W-30 API oil and returning EPA fuel economy of 10 city, 14 highway, and 12 combined mpg. NHTSA logged 149 owner complaints against this model year, with the hydraulic service brakes emerging as the most cited category and four recalls filed alongside. Set against a 2002–2013 complaint arc that peaked at 246 reports in 2007 and tapered to a single complaint by 2013, the 2002 sits as a mid-range but brake-troubled entry point—useful context for any researcher weighing where this model year fits in the nameplate's overall reliability trajectory.

Model year2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy10/14/12 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731172
Engine air filter	22845992 alt 15908916
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued
Spark plug	12621258
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	12576447 alt 12637204
Thermostat	12561155 alt 12571261
Cabin air filter	19257782

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	221.3 in
Overall width	79.5 in
Overall height	75.6 in
Wheelbase	130.7 in
Curb weight	5553 lb
Track (front / rear)	65 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	10 / 14 / 12 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SAE 75W · Synthetic in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SAE 75W · Synthetic
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.83 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	8.85 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	70.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	70.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	AC 41-974
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	122 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in / 0.0001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.142 in / 1.181 in / 1.496 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.142 in / 1.181 in / 1.496 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.102 in / 1.142 in / 1.457 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.083 in / 1.122 in / 1.437 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT recorded the highest number of consumer complaints (149) in its early‑generation span, while its recall count (4) and investigations (3) were modest compared with the spike in complaints and investigations seen again in 2007 (246 complaints, 3 investigations). From 2003 onward, complaints steadily fell to a low of 1 in 2013, and recalls generally hovered between 3 and 7, indicating a downward trend in reported problems after the early years. However, the 2002 model still generated the largest volume of technical service bulletins (628), reflecting a broad range of service issues despite the limited recall activity. With the most frequent complaint areas centered on service brakes (hydraulic and general) and electrical systems, plus 13 crash‑related and 7 fire‑related complaints, the data suggest that 2002 carries a higher risk profile than later years. Consequently, while the recall burden is not extreme, the elevated complaint volume makes 2002 a less attractive purchase than models from 2004‑2013.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

628

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

149

Owner complaints

13 involved a crash · 7 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’02’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 149 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic19

Service Brakes12

Electrical System10

Power Train7

Engine5

Structure5

Tires5

Seats5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V129000Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And AttachmentsReported 17/03/2004

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 628 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT6446	2025-11-03	Unknown Or Other	This PI Communicates information to ensure Memory Recall is enabled to ensure memory…
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escalade EXT. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt Engine oil filter 12731172 Engine air filter 22845992 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 12621258

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Escalade EXT take?

6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Escalade EXT have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escalade EXT get?

EPA figures are 10 city / 14 highway / 12 combined mpg.