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2002 Cadillac Escalade

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Cadillac Escalade is a sport‑utility vehicle built on a dedicated platform, equipped with an engine that requires a 6‑quart oil capacity of 5W‑30 API specification and mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway and 14 mpg combined. In its first full year of ownership the model accumulated 149 total owner complaints, with the most frequent problems reported in the service brakes and hydraulic system and was subject to four recall campaigns. Its complaint history shows that the 2002 model year falls among the lowest complaint years, with only three reported incidents, a figure that precedes the higher complaint volumes observed in later model years such as 2007.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 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 economy13/17/14 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 Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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	198.8 in
Overall width	78.7 in
Overall height	74.4 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	5809 lb
Track (front / rear)	65 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 17 / 14 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escalade of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2002 SUV

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	SUV 6.0L V8	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	345 hp	AWD
2002	EXT 6.0L V8	7.90 sec	15.80 sec	345 hp	AWD
2002	EXT 6.0L V8	8.00 sec	16.00 sec	345 hp	AWD
2003	ESV 6.0L V8	7.60 sec	15.70 sec	345 hp	AWD

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 Escalade shows a sharp spike in complaints (149) compared to the 3 complaints in 2001 and the 112 complaints in 2003, indicating it sits at the peak of a short‑lived uptick in customer dissatisfaction. Recall activity remains relatively flat around this period, with only four recalls in 2002, matching the 4 recalls of 2001 and 5 of 2003, suggesting the spike is not driven by widespread safety defects. The top complaint categories for 2002—Service Brakes, Hydraulic (19), Service Brakes (12), Electrical System (10), and Power Train (7)—highlight a focus on braking and electrical issues rather than structural or crash‑related problems, which are modest at 13 crash and 7 fire complaints. Compared to the surrounding years, 2002 falls into a brief anomaly rather than a sustained trend of increasing complaints, implying that most major defects were addressed by later models. Consequently, a 2002 Escalade may still be a viable purchase if you can verify that the specific brake and electrical issues have been repaired or replaced, but caution is advised due to the elevated complaint volume.

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

’99 ’00 ’01’02’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

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 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…

07E106000Wheels:HubReported 17/12/2007

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT…

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. 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 take?

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

Does the 2002 Escalade 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 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.