2012 Cadillac Escalade

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Cadillac Escalade
Pictured: 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Photo: BuickCentury04, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, Esv 4dr SUV AWD, Ext P/U Ext Cab S/Box AWD, Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD
Engines
6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, FFV
MPG (best)
21 combined · 20 city / 23 hwy
Length
202.4–222.8 in
Curb weight
5,690–6,120 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (6.0L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,690 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (20 city / 23 highway), 0% better than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Escalade — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Escalade →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–6.2L 8-cyl
Engine–6.0L 8-cyl hybrid
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

LuxuryESV PlatinumHybrid

Built in: Arlington, Texas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 Escalade configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD202.4 in78.7 in74.4 in116.1 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,690 lb50/50
Esv 4dr SUV AWD222.8 in79.1 in74.4 in129.9 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,942 lb52/48
Ext P/U Ext Cab S/Box AWD218.1 in79.1 in74.4 in129.9 in68.5 / 67.7 in5,948 lb52/48
Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD202.4 in79.1 in74.4 in116.1 in68.5 / 67.3 in6,120 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escalade Hybrid 2WD Hybrid6.0L 8-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 23 / 210%$3,200423
Escalade Hybrid 4WD Hybrid6.0L 8-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)4-Wheel Drive20 / 23 / 21+11%$3,200423
Escalade 2WD FFV6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16-23%$4,200555
Escalade ESV 2WD FFV6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16-23%$4,200555
Escalade AWD FFV6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-21%$4,450592
Escalade Ext AWD FFV6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 14-26%$4,800635
Escalade ESV AWD FFV6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 14-26%$4,800635
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Cadillac Escalade (this car)21 MPGNot rated3
2012 Audi Q720 MPGNot rated4
2012 Lincoln Navigator16 MPGNot rated3
2012 BMW X619 MPGNot rated10
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class15 MPGNot rated0
2012 Lincoln MKT20 MPGNot rated1
2012 Infiniti QX5616 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V051000 · 284,645 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V054000 · 1,778,128 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Electrical System › Ignition · Dec 30, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Cadillac Escalade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

22Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
69,279 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System9
Engine4
Air Bags3
Unknown Or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Service Brakes2
Steering2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 115/02: 215/05: 115/09: 117/05: 117/09: 118/08: 118/12: 119/01: 119/02: 119/10: 119/12: 120/03: 120/06: 220/07: 120/08: 120/11: 121/03: 121/04: 121/07: 115/0115/0918/0819/0220/0320/0821/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Cadillac Escalade buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 9 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Air Bags — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 69,279 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Escalade years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Escalade17228.3 inNot rated00
2026 Escalade17227.2 inNot rated454
2025 Escalade17227.2 in★★★★★139
2024 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★274
2023 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★4234
2022 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★4143
2021 Escalade23227.2 in★★★★★12169
2020 Escalade17203.9 inNot rated236
2019 Escalade17203.9 inNot rated159
2018 Escalade17203.9 in★★★★★237
2017 Escalade17203.9 in★★★★★289
2016 Escalade17203.9 inNot rated4104

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →