2012 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2012 Cadillac Escalade has 32 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and service brakes.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 32 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 28.1%
SERVICE BRAKES
3 9.4%
ENGINE
3 9.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 9.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 6.2%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 28.1% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2012 Cadillac Escalade
The 2012 Cadillac Escalade has 32 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 28% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9), SERVICE BRAKES (3), ENGINE (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 19 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2012 Cadillac Escalade?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 Reports28% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECURRING LOCKING PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED OR CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY LOCKS OR UNLOCKS WHILE EITHER PARKED OR MOVING CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE UNLOCKS ITSELF WHILE MOVING. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FOUR (4) DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO CORRECT THIS LOCKING DEFECT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS DURING 2012 ON ACCOUNT OF THIS RANDOM LOCKING ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE WITH OUR ESCALADE, AS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME UNRESOLVED PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO BOTH HIS OWN EXPERIENCE AND HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CADILLAC TECHNICAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL.. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ABOUT THIS LOCKING ISSUE, TO NO AVAIL. THEY SIMPLY DENY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE REPLICATED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSE TO OPEN THEIR DATA BASE TO US REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. PERHAPS YOUR AGENCY HAS MORE CLOUT IN MAKING THEIR DATA BASE TRANSPARENT WITH REGARD TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
2/10/2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WAS RECALIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
3/15/2013
SERVICE BRAKES
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WAS RECALIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
3/15/2013
ON THE INDICATED DATE MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM DALLAS, TX TO ANN ARBOR, MI. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE ON I-44 APPROX. 20 MILES SOUTH OF ROLLA, MO. AT HIGHWAY SPEED WE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND REPEATED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND RELATED POWER SYSTEMS. THIS WAS EVIDENCED BY DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY CLICKING ON AND OFF, NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE, AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE, STABILITRACK FAILURE AND LACK OF POWER STEERING. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO ONSTAR AND THE USE OF OUR CELL PHONES WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER IN ROLLA. WE ??LIMPED?? INTO THE DEALER AFTER EXPERIENCING SEVERAL MORE ADVERSE FAILURE INCIDENTS. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE THROUGH RUNNING HIS DIAGNOSTICS. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE OUR TRIP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE RECURRED ON JUNE 21, 2014 WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE DALLAS, TX AREA AND AGAIN, TWICE, DRIVING AT APPROX. 40 MPH IN FRISCO, TX ON JUNE 23, 2014. THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON THOSE DATES AND REPLACED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. DURING THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH GM CUSTOMER CARE SEEKING ASSURANCES THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT THE LATEST ??FIX?? WAS GOING TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT THIS SAFETY AND RELIABILITY PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY FIXED. I AM CONCERNED THAT WE WILL HAVE A RE-OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. *TR
7/9/2014
ENGINE
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
9/22/2017
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.
10/20/2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
8/29/2018
INTERIOR DASH CRACK , ONSTAR SYSTEM STOP WORKING
8/18/2020
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WAS RECALIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
3/15/2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED FEET AND THE ENGINE RPMS WENT BACK TO NORMAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
2/5/2015
STEERING
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ON THE INDICATED DATE MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM DALLAS, TX TO ANN ARBOR, MI. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE ON I-44 APPROX. 20 MILES SOUTH OF ROLLA, MO. AT HIGHWAY SPEED WE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND REPEATED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND RELATED POWER SYSTEMS. THIS WAS EVIDENCED BY DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY CLICKING ON AND OFF, NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILURE, AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE, STABILITRACK FAILURE AND LACK OF POWER STEERING. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO ONSTAR AND THE USE OF OUR CELL PHONES WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER IN ROLLA. WE ??LIMPED?? INTO THE DEALER AFTER EXPERIENCING SEVERAL MORE ADVERSE FAILURE INCIDENTS. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE THROUGH RUNNING HIS DIAGNOSTICS. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE OUR TRIP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE RECURRED ON JUNE 21, 2014 WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE DALLAS, TX AREA AND AGAIN, TWICE, DRIVING AT APPROX. 40 MPH IN FRISCO, TX ON JUNE 23, 2014. THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON THOSE DATES AND REPLACED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. DURING THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH GM CUSTOMER CARE SEEKING ASSURANCES THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT THE LATEST ??FIX?? WAS GOING TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT THIS SAFETY AND RELIABILITY PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY FIXED. I AM CONCERNED THAT WE WILL HAVE A RE-OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. *TR
7/9/2014
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
6/4/2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
10/20/2019
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
3/3/2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HIT AND TOTALED A BLACK MAN CONVERTIBLE I WAS AT FAULT. PLEASE HELP I WAS TEXTING AND DRIVING. *TR
7/20/2020
INTERIOR DASH CRACK , ONSTAR SYSTEM STOP WORKING
8/18/2020
AIR BAGS
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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!!
3/20/2021
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.
7/9/2021
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECURRING LOCKING PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED OR CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY LOCKS OR UNLOCKS WHILE EITHER PARKED OR MOVING CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE UNLOCKS ITSELF WHILE MOVING. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FOUR (4) DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO CORRECT THIS LOCKING DEFECT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS DURING 2012 ON ACCOUNT OF THIS RANDOM LOCKING ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE WITH OUR ESCALADE, AS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME UNRESOLVED PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO BOTH HIS OWN EXPERIENCE AND HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CADILLAC TECHNICAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL.. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ABOUT THIS LOCKING ISSUE, TO NO AVAIL. THEY SIMPLY DENY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE REPLICATED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSE TO OPEN THEIR DATA BASE TO US REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. PERHAPS YOUR AGENCY HAS MORE CLOUT IN MAKING THEIR DATA BASE TRANSPARENT WITH REGARD TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
2/10/2013
POWER TRAIN
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
LOUD NOISE (KNOCK) WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 65 MPH, ALL ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON, VEHICLE TOWED TO RESIDENCE.
5/20/2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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
1/22/2019
WHEELS:RIM
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
2/13/2019
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade?
Are complaints about the 2012 Cadillac Escalade a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade?
Are complaints about the 2012 Cadillac Escalade severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac Escalade: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 32
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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