Hello,

Did an extensive search and couldn't find anything on this topic:

My Dad bought a used 2005 Escalade that I drove for about 3 hours yesterday, and I am still traumatized from the way the brakes work.

When you press the brake, nothing happens until you get near the bottom of the long travel and then they work fine.

It's such a delay waiting for the pedal to get down there that I felt like I was always on the verge of an accident. And then the gas pedal is super touchy, so your brain gets confused on which one to press gently and which one to hammer down. Makes for stressful driving in a luxury vehicle.

It does not feel like air in the brake lines. I've had that before, and when that happens the brakes have a very distinct spongy feel across the entire travel. This is not spongy. Once you hit the point of travel that the brakes work, they are just fine.

My Dad was told by some valets that it needed to be fixed, but the dealer said this is normal operation for this year Escalade.

I want to help make that car safer for them so they don't read-end someone.

First question: Is that truly normal?

If it is not normal, what has been the fix? A new master cylinder?

If this is normal, what upgrades can fix this? Stainless brake lines? 3rd party master cylinder?

It's a completely stock Escalade, so there are no wheel upgrades or anything else to consider.

Thanks in advance for your help keeping the "old man" safe!

I have the same issue with my 2003. I have brought it to the dealership and there is nothing that can be done for me either. There is a recall that might be of some help to you on the booster. Does it kind of kick back a bit when you push quick on the pedal?

You may have a bad booster or master cylinder starting to go. Did you check the brake fluid level? How many miles on the truck? How high are the adjustable pedals set to?

Opps, I just found out that it's a 2003 model like deville's, not a 2005.

It has about 43K miles on the car. The pedals are set around the middle of their travel. Would the pedeal height adjustment have anything to do with the length of travel for the brake pedal?

I did not notice a kick back when driving it. Is that a sign of needing the recall?

Thanks!

Try adjusting them and see if it makes a difference.

I tried. Unfortunately, no difference.

Anyone else with a 2003 that would be able to confirm whether or not there is a long travel of the brake pedal before you get stopping action?

I just recently picked up an '03 with 40K on it and the amount of travel feels normal to me. I'm coming off a Tahoe, and it feels the same to me. I do just about put myself through the windshield everytime I stop for the first time in my wife's Accord, so perhaps it is just not being used to it?

I tried. Unfortunately, no difference.

Anyone else with a 2003 that would be able to confirm whether or not there is a long travel of the brake pedal before you get stopping action?

I had an 03' from 02' to 06', had normal pedal travel, just like my last 6 Suburban's, and both 07's. Your brakes maybe shot causing longer pedal travel. :)

My 2003 has normal brake travel also. Stock brakes and wheels and stops great.

I know that there is something wrong with my brakes. I have replaced the pad and everything is good there. I am going to diagnose it and take care of it. Either I am getting a master cylinder rebuild. I also know that there is a recall on the hyda-boost for for vins around mine. Thanks for the opinions and help. PRJH tell me what you find out.

Well, Deville, I don't know how to move forward. I am wondering what people consider normal here because they all seem to drive some derivative of a Tahoe, like the Escalade. I guess I could go to a used car lot and find an 03 to test drive, but that's a little far fetched.

Brake pad wear should not affect travel if the brake systems is working correctly, so that's not a valid recommendation. Brake systems adjust for the wear of the pad. Unless it's a 1910 model, that just can't be the problem. Changing the master cylinder and switching to stainless brake lines seems to be the best options right now. The problem is that even though it's under warranty, the dealer is brushing it off as normal, so that work would have to come out of pocket.

I just can't believe it's normal or something you just have to get used to. The car is flat out dangerous as it is. To think that 100's of thousands if not millions of these GM vehicles that have these crappy brakes are on the road ready to kill your families is a scary thought. So I just can't accept that it's normal.

Go to you Caddy dealer and drive some used Escalade's to see the difference

Doesn't sound normal to me.
My '06 pedal is fine and stops my ride, even with the wife driving, without effort when needed.

Do you have another dealer close by you can try.
If You fill it is dangerous for your folks to drive and the dealer won't address the issue I'd tell the dealer you are holding them responsible if anything happens.
Have you tried calling Cadillac customer Service and explaining your concerns to them.

I'll agree with you that brakes as you've explained are not something you want your folks driving.

Remember, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" Keep bugging your dealer and Cadillac to get it resolved.

Good Luck!

Call corperate Cadillac and tell them your issue. Then tell them which dealership you would like to have the work done on. They will call in advance and you will see some great results.

So today I was on the way to work and I had to stop abruptly, the anti-lock pulsed a few times and the pedal really got much better. would that be the booster that is making the fluid in the line more compressed. It took a little abuse but then they felt good, the brake pedal that is. How can I get the feel I am looking for without having to slam on my brakes for some idiot that pulled out in front of me?