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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Cadillac EscaladeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade. Most complaints involve electrical system (12) and air bags (4). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2021
Owner complaints
26
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2021NHTSA 21V054000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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 of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2021NHTSA 21V051000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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 actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Electrical systemReported Dec 30, 2014NHTSA 14V827000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2012 – Jul 2021
  1. Electrical system12
  2. Air bags4
  3. Engine4
  4. Service brakes4
  5. Structure3
  6. Steering3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escalade model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199944
200083
2002145
2003112
2004103
200562
200624
2007286
2008167
200961
201043
201165
201226
201319
201420
2015106
2016104
201789
201837
201959
202036
2021170
2022146
2023237
202475
202540
202656
20271
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

12 reports1 crash
“THE CAR LOOSE POWER ON THE ROAD THE ELECTRONICS IN CAR GO CRAZY THESE MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES CODE C0900 A LOT OF GM PRODUCT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL THIS HAPPEN IN THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR PLEASE TAKE ACTION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11315838

Air bags

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V051000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 124,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2021Air bagsODI 11424063

Engine

4 reports
“ISSUE STARTED BY HAVING THE ENGINE CUTOFF OR GO INTO LOW POWER MODE. MECHANIC TRIED FINING POWER ISSUES, ENDED UP REPLACING PCM BOARD. ISSUE REMAINED. THEN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND EVERYTHING WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE. NEXT LOW OIL PRESSURE MESSAGE CAME UP, STATING TO SHUT OFF ENGINE. AFTER READING AROUND, THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THAT THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR IS BEING STARVED OF OIL DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE, THAT IS CAUSED BY THE CAMSHAFT AND BEARINGS BEING BAD. THIS FAULTY PART CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF WHILE RUNNING, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! HOW LONG UNTIL SOMEONE DIES? NEED GM TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. VEHICLE IS UNDER 80K MILES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11269759
All 2012 Escalade problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escalade 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900555
Escalade AWD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
  • Escalade 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Escalade AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
24.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 6668Vehicle 6445
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Escalade questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Cadillac Escalade have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Cadillac Escalade problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (12), air bags (4), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Cadillac Escalade get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Cadillac Escalade at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Cadillac Escalade?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Cadillac Escalade 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026