Total Complaints
32 filings
CADILLAC ESCALADE · model year
32 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012CADILLACESCALADE carries 32 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 ESCALADE is electrical system with 9 filings, followed by service brakes (3) and engine (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2012 ESCALADE, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
32 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
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 actuator may bind, m
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, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS,
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 of Alabama, Californi
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.
Mileage: 124,000
EVERY SO OFTEN MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MOVING THE SEATS BACK AND FORTH AND A WIRE ISSUE. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR SHORTLY AFTER THIS STARTED HAPPENING. WHEN I CALLED ABOUT REPAIRING THE RECALL THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE FRONT AND I'D HATE FOR THIS TO EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON THEM OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER. WHEN WILL THERE BE A SOLUTION? HOW WILL WE KNOW THE PART IS AVAILABLE? PLEASE FIX ASAP!!
WE HAVE THREE CRACKS ON OUR DASH BOARD. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CRACKS KEEP FORMING. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FIVE YEARS AND EVERY YEAR ANOTHER CRACK FORMS.
INTERIOR DASH CRACK , ONSTAR SYSTEM STOP WORKING
INTERIOR DASH CRACK , ONSTAR SYSTEM STOP WORKING
INTERIOR DASH CRACK , ONSTAR SYSTEM STOP WORKING
I HIT AND TOTALED A BLACK MAN CONVERTIBLE I WAS AT FAULT. PLEASE HELP I WAS TEXTING AND DRIVING. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
MY 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS FAILED.WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. A SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHILE I WAS ON A TWO LANE DUAL HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS A MOTOR THAT IS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN THAT HAS A WEAK SHAFT THAT IS KNOWN TO BREAKAGE. THE VEHICLE IS MORE THAN DIFFICULT TO TRY TO STEER. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AND HAS BEEN NOTED TO BE HAPPENING IN QUITE A NUMBER OF THESE LIMITED PRODUCTION VEHICLES. *TR
Mileage: 82,000
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
Mileage: 122,696
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
Mileage: 122,696
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
Mileage: 122,696
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE (BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR) WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIST, SERVICE ABS ON LED SCREEN, AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WARNING CHIMES. NO PREVIOUS WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHTS SIGNALING A PROBLEM. HAD SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED IT WAS CAUSED BY FAILING HYBRID BATTERY. AFTER BEING IN FOR SERVICE FOR 52 DAYS, I RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED. ONE WEEK LATER, WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BRAKING ISSUE. THIS TIME WHILE THERE WAS SOME BRAKING ABILITY THE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (I.E. THEY DID SLOW THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BUT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE OR SLOW IT AS IT SHOULD HAVE). BROUGHT BACK IN FOR SERVICE AT A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO STATES THAT THE PBMV FAILED. HOW CAN THIS FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING? SHOULDN'T THERE BE SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE (I.E. THE CAR SHOULD NOT EVEN START IF THIS IS MALFUNCTIONING).
Mileage: 94,339
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.
Mileage: 78,000
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.
Mileage: 78,000
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.
Mileage: 78,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FACTORY RIMS WERE MISSHAPED AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO DEFLATE WEEKLY AND LOSE TIRE PRESSURE DAILY. THE TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TAKEN TO NAPERVILLE CADILLAC (1507 OGDEN AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540, (630) 355-2700) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT FOUR NEW RIMS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,279.
Mileage: 69,279
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, BOTH HEADLIGHTS BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL GATTON CHEVROLET (1000 W STATE ST, BRISTOL, TN 37620) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING BEHIND THE LENS OF THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH CAUSED THE BULBS TO BLOW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,500. *TT *TR
Mileage: 63,500
DASH ON MY ESCALADE HAS CRACKED IN 3 DIFFERENT PLACES AND POSES A HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF DASH CRACKS IN THAT MODEL AS WELL AS OTHERS BUT GM REFUSES TO RECALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN MATERIAL USED AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP.
Mileage: 38,000
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, EVERYTHING AND THE ENGINE UPSHIFTED INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN, THEN REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. THE ELECTRICS WOULD COME BACK ON AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN. THE ELECTRONIC WENT COMPLETELY BERSERK AND PRESENTED A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY WIFE, CHILDREN AND I.
Mileage: 54,000
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, EVERYTHING AND THE ENGINE UPSHIFTED INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN, THEN REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. THE ELECTRICS WOULD COME BACK ON AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN. THE ELECTRONIC WENT COMPLETELY BERSERK AND PRESENTED A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY WIFE, CHILDREN AND I.
Mileage: 54,000
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.