2012 Cadillac Escalade Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 45%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Cadillac Escalade, 45% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11024990, filed 2017-09, 54,000 miles“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?? …”
NHTSA complaint #10609340, filed 2014-07, 18,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11315838, filed 2020-03, 122,696 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11269759, filed 2019-10, 78,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10497630, filed 2013-02, 3,616 milesRelated recalls
- 14V827000Dec 30, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado…Covers: Cadillac Escalade 2011–2012, Chevrolet Tahoe 2011–2012, Cadillac Escalade ESV 2011–2012 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006274Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 11% |
| 2025 | 6 | 30% |
| 2024 | 8 | 15% |
| 2023 | 16 | 11% |
| 2022 | 8 | 9% |
| 2021 | 9 | 12% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 9 | 18% |
| 2016 | 15 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 15% |
| 2014 | 8 | 40% |
| 2013 | 4 | 21% |
| 2012 | 9 | 45% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 13% |
| 2009 | 14 | 24% |
| 2008 | 23 | 17% |
| 2007 | 34 | 15% |
| 2006 | 5 | 26% |
| 2005 | 11 | 26% |
| 2004 | 20 | 29% |
| 2003 | 23 | 28% |
| 2002 | 16 | 14% |
| 2000 | 7 | 10% |
| 1999 | 3 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2012 Cadillac Escalade
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Cadillac Escalade
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology