Model year
2005 Cadillac Escalade
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 43 complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 19 complaints under ESCALADE ESV and ESCALADE EXT. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10), AIR BAGS (9), SERVICE BRAKES (7). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 13–15 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,450–$6,300, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 71 complaints
- 2002 115 complaints
- 2003 81 complaints
- 2004 69 complaints
- 2005 43 complaints
- 2006 19 complaints
- 2007 230 complaints
- 2008 136 complaints
- 2009 58 complaints
- 2010 38 complaints
- 2011 49 complaints
- 2012 20 complaints
- 2013 19 complaints
- 2014 20 complaints
- 2015 98 complaints
- 2016 89 complaints
- 2017 51 complaints
- 2018 21 complaints
- 2019 25 complaints
- 2020 14 complaints
- 2021 78 complaints
- 2022 85 complaints
- 2023 143 complaints
- 2024 52 complaints
- 2025 20 complaints
- 2026 38 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE…
05V055000 · Feb 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING…
Complaints
43 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 1, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ESCALADE ESV | 1 | 14 |
| ESCALADE EXT | 1 | 5 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Escalade 2WD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $5,850 |
| Escalade AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $6,300 |
| Escalade ESV AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $6,300 |
| Escalade Ext AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $6,300 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Cadillac Escalade at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.