Total Complaints
5 filings
CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV · model year
2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
5 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012CADILLACESCALADE ESV carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, 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 ESV is electrical system with 2 filings, followed by engine (1) and vehicle speed control (1). 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 ESV, 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.
5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
- Front Crash 5.0 ★
- Side Crash 5.0 ★
- Rollover 3.0 ★
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating
· Front: 5/5
· Side: 5/5
· Rollover: 3/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
Recalls (3)
14V82700030/12/2014
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 actuator may bind, m
21V05100005/02/2021
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 of Alabama, Californi
21V05400005/02/2021
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, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS,
Recent Complaints
20210429AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MALOUF CADILLAC (1975 US-1, NORTH BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, NJ 08902) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
20181217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING NORMAL ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING STRANGE, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, THE AC& HTG CAME ON, HTG&FAN FOR THE SEATS CAME ON, CLOCK BLINKED, NAVIGATION SCREEN BLINKED ON AND OFF, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WOULD ACCELERATE AND THEN HESITATE, IT DID THIS AT LEAST 4 TIMES, I NOTICED UPON BRAKING EACH TIME AFTER THE STRANGE OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO RUN OKAY, BUT ONLY WHILE BREAKING. AFTER THIS OCCURRED FOR ABOUT ONE MILE, THE STRANGE OCCURRENCES STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS SHOULD, OR AT LEAST IT SEEMED OKAY. AFTER READING SOME OF THE BLOG'S OF OTHER 2012 ESCALADE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, GM SHOULD TAKE NOTICE, AFTER ALL THE VEHICLES ARE NOT CHEAP AND GM SHOULD CORRECT IT.
Mileage: 93,875
20181217ENGINE
DRIVING NORMAL ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING STRANGE, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, THE AC& HTG CAME ON, HTG&FAN FOR THE SEATS CAME ON, CLOCK BLINKED, NAVIGATION SCREEN BLINKED ON AND OFF, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WOULD ACCELERATE AND THEN HESITATE, IT DID THIS AT LEAST 4 TIMES, I NOTICED UPON BRAKING EACH TIME AFTER THE STRANGE OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO RUN OKAY, BUT ONLY WHILE BREAKING. AFTER THIS OCCURRED FOR ABOUT ONE MILE, THE STRANGE OCCURRENCES STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS SHOULD, OR AT LEAST IT SEEMED OKAY. AFTER READING SOME OF THE BLOG'S OF OTHER 2012 ESCALADE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, GM SHOULD TAKE NOTICE, AFTER ALL THE VEHICLES ARE NOT CHEAP AND GM SHOULD CORRECT IT.
Mileage: 93,875
20181217VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING NORMAL ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING STRANGE, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, THE AC& HTG CAME ON, HTG&FAN FOR THE SEATS CAME ON, CLOCK BLINKED, NAVIGATION SCREEN BLINKED ON AND OFF, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WOULD ACCELERATE AND THEN HESITATE, IT DID THIS AT LEAST 4 TIMES, I NOTICED UPON BRAKING EACH TIME AFTER THE STRANGE OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO RUN OKAY, BUT ONLY WHILE BREAKING. AFTER THIS OCCURRED FOR ABOUT ONE MILE, THE STRANGE OCCURRENCES STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS SHOULD, OR AT LEAST IT SEEMED OKAY. AFTER READING SOME OF THE BLOG'S OF OTHER 2012 ESCALADE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, GM SHOULD TAKE NOTICE, AFTER ALL THE VEHICLES ARE NOT CHEAP AND GM SHOULD CORRECT IT.
Mileage: 93,875
20150526ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, RADIO WENT ON AND OFF, DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, REVVED THE ENGINE, COOLED SEATS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON, ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON LIKE VEHICLE DIED(BUT NEVER DIED) THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND SAME THING WAS REPEATED.THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ANOTHER 50 MILES TO HOME
Mileage: 61,000
Compare 2012CADILLACESCALADE ESV to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
PE24011Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
PE22006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear-View Camera Failure
PE19001Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
EQ11001EQClosed
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
EA07017Engineering AnalysisClosed
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV have?▼
The 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV has 5 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV?▼
The 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV?▼
Yes, the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.