I have a relatively new 2003 Escalade. I am really a BMW driver, with a 745i and a 330 cic. I traded my X5 in on the Escalade because I got a great deal and mostly because I was so tired of not being able to haul much in the X5.
Anyway, aside from quality control issues mostly related to loose trim pieces on the exterior, I have been troubled by a really loud popping noise coming from under the car, especially when parked with the engine off but also when sitting in traffic at stoplights with the engine running. The dealer says this is normal, just catalytic converter noise as it cools off. He says it will get better as the car gets more broken in (only 3300 miles on it now).
This noise is not BMW-like and I am troubled by it. I am really interested in converting back to American made autos what with the economy and the damn Germans and their lack of cooperation in the Iraq thing. But I want to know if most people think Cadillac quality is up to snuff. I can easily see myself getting an XLR as a trade for the 330 cic, and in the future trading the Escalade for an XLS. But quality is a huge issue.
Any ideas about the popping? Normal or no? Have you been happy with Caddy quality?
I won't go off on Cadillac quality but I will say that I have a Denali which is virtually identical to your Escalade and I can't say I've noticed noises from the exhaust while cooling. Mine is an '01 and it's possible they made some changes that could be causing your noise. A certain amount of "clinking" and "pinging" coming from the exhaust as it cools is fairly common on many cars and trucks so I would tend to agree with the dealer. If you're really worried, take it to a non-dealer mechanic and have him give it a listen.
I hear similar things to what you are describing on our suburban....... Normal..... I even hear it on my Q sometimes
Quality of cadillacs has never been a problem for us...... The problem is people think they can last forever and keep looking new without any maintenance..... Well that just aint the case, with any car....
Its just the pipes adjusting and shifting because they are new. After they get more worn in you won't hear it anymore. I have a 03 and mine does it. I have a friend with one and he is just over 16,000 miles and his no longer makes the noise.
Recently bought a new 03 ESV , currently has about 1k on the odometer, and i cant say that i have noticed any noise like you described. I too came off a 4.4 X5 and have been thrilled with the ESV since. Needless to say I wasnt very impressed with the X5 as a SUV, and i have to wonder if thats why they decided to call it an SAV instead?
I have a 2003 Escalade AWD with 4000+ miles on it. Got it in December 2002. I havn't heard any loud popping sounds, but I there are other strange noises I hear when the engine is off and I'm walking out of it. Its more like a hissing sound from the outside. A LOUD hissing sound, something I've never heard from on the Jeep. When I first heard it I thought a snake was nearby. Quality-I've had a few problems, but we didn't pay a CENT for any of it. If the repair is more than 2 hours, they will let you rent a Cadillac. We even get free oil changes. The quality is better than our 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Congrats on gettin an Escalade! And prepare for more stares than you will ever recieve in a BMW. And stay American. Also, you are fricken rich.
I have a 2003 Escalade AWD with 4000+ miles on it. Got it in December 2002. I havn't heard any loud popping sounds, but I there are other strange noises I hear when the engine is off and I'm walking out of it. Its more like a hissing sound from the outside. A LOUD hissing sound, something I've never heard from on the Jeep. When I first heard it I thought a snake was nearby. Quality-I've had a few problems, but we didn't pay a CENT for any of it. If the repair is more than 2 hours, they will let you rent a Cadillac. We even get free oil changes. The quality is better than our 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Congrats on gettin an Escalade! And prepare for more stares than you will ever recieve in a BMW. And stay American. Also, you are fricken rich.
You will hear an air hissing sould from time to time when the rear shocks are filling with air usually when first starting to level the rear of the Escalade, and when air is being released as well
__________________ Carl V.
**Authorized Zaino Distributor **
**Authorized Amsoil Dealer**
One of my ex's had an '02 Escalade that popped just like your saying - turned out some bearing in the transmission was shot! It had less than 5000 miles on it.
Make the dealer look at it!
Good luck.
juhko
Loud popping sound 
