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Cadillac Escalade EXTModel year report

2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,841miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 12 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and exterior lighting (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,841 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 74 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The horn failed to sound when it was needed. This seems to occur when the horn is not used for some time. I had this exact problem on my 2004 Cadillac Escalade Ext, and I think a recall should be done to resolve this problem on all GM cars and trucks involved. I am tired of being scared when my horn does not work. After a year, GM should have had this problem resolved. I think NHTSA should now resolve it for them!”

NHTSA complaint #10144184, filed 2005-12, 8,363 miles

Equipment: “I have a 2005 Cadillac Escalade Ext, I was in las vegas and parked my vehicle in the first parking spot , which was the handicap parking in front of store . I was in there for no more than 20 minutes and my vehicle was stolen , I the called the police which gave me the number to onstar, then onstar told me they sent a signal to the truck, and the time frame was no more than 10 minutes of 8:50 . The outcome was that onstar did not locate the vehicle it was located by the police 6 days later. …”

NHTSA complaint #10176277, filed 2006-12

Exterior lighting: “The contact stated the vehicle failed to start after being parked for one or two days. This problem occurred on four occasions. On one occasion, the dealership replaced the battery but this did not remedy the problem. The dealership could not duplicate the problem on all other occasions. The consumer stated the vehicle has been in the shop 17 times, since the vehicle was purchased. The cd player was inoperative. The heated seat was inoperative. The fuel tank and fog light was replaced updated 09/25/06.”

NHTSA complaint #10167487, filed 2006-09, 18,558 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,558 and 67,124 miles.

25%0–1025%10–250%25–5050%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,841 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20052006220112015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Escalade EXT · sedan not rated3 / 4——3 · 21.9% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Escalade Ext AWD6.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121613$6,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 74 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 74 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade EXT

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20081463,6994———Not enough data
20071678,2255———Falling
2005542,8411—13—Not enough data
200411106,0002—13—Not enough data
20031583,0612—13—Stable
20022286,0561—12—Stable

All Cadillac Escalade EXT model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.

Has the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT (Escalade Ext AWD, 6.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 12 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,841 miles and the middle half falls between 18,558 and 67,124 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.