Model year
2012 Cadillac Escalade
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 20 complaints for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 6 recalls and 6 complaints under ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT, and ESCALADE HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9), ENGINE (3), SERVICE BRAKES (3). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 6 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 14–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$4,800, 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
21V054000 · Feb 5, 2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI,…
21V051000 · Feb 5, 2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states…
14V827000 · Dec 30, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock…
Complaints
20 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 1, 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 | 3 | 3 |
| ESCALADE EXT | 3 | 1 |
| ESCALADE HYBRID | 0 | 2 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESV SUV AWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.237 | — |
| ESV SUV RWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.237 | — |
| EXT SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.212 | — |
| Hybrid SUV AWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.228 | — |
| Hybrid SUV RWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.246 | — |
| SUV AWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.228 | — |
| SUV RWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.246 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escalade 2WD · 6.2L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Escalade ESV 2WD · 6.2L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Escalade AWD · 6.2L · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Escalade Hybrid 2WD · 6L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 20 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Escalade Hybrid 4WD · 6L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 20 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Escalade Ext AWD · 6.2L · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 18 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Escalade ESV AWD · 6.2L · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 18 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
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 2012 Cadillac Escalade at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.