2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv: 1 recall, 14 owner complaints and up to 13 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #05V055000 · 2005 · 7,194 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: The vehicle May move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2005.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Brakes (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv has 14 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 24 Escalade Esv model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 22). Complaints peaked in 2009 (2 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 95,987 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (22 complaints, 1 recalls), 2006 (5 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (5), brakes (3), transmission & drivetrain (2).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv get?
EPA ratings run up to 13 mpg combined (6.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Cadillac Escalade Esv repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.