Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR ILLUMINATION
- Summary
- CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.
- Consequence
- THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (14)
14 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 35.7% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 28.6% |
| Power train | 2 | 14.3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 7.1% |
| Engine | 1 | 7.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 7.1% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 7.1% |
| Seats | 1 | 7.1% |
| Tires | 1 | 7.1% |
How 2005 compares with other Escalade ESV years
Best and worst Escalade ESV years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 | 1 |
| 2004 | 22 | 1 |
| 2005 | 14 | 1 |
| 2006 | 5 | 1 |
| 2007 | 39 | 4 |
| 2008 | 17 | 4 |
| 2009 | 6 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4 | 3 |
| 2011 | 13 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 13 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $6,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 684 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 13 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | $6,300 | 684 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2005 Escalade ESV for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 05V055000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (5), Service brakes (4), Power train (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV get?
EPA rates the 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 12 city, 16 highway and 13 combined mpg.
How does the 2005 Escalade ESV compare with other years?
Among the 2003–2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2007 the most (39). The 2005 drew 14. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.