The Lemon Index
200420062nd generation
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 13–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Lincoln Navigator2005 Volvo XC90 1202005 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E106000 (wheels), 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 05V163000 (seat belts) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Cadillac sent dealers 760 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 7 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 15K miles (13K to 24K km) on the car (5 of all 7 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 760 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
- Heated seat inoperative or shut off in 30 seconds
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALL…
Show all 4 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2005
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 TRA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac Escalade recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$5,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac Escalade year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2005" title="Cadillac Escalade reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-escalade/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are equipment & accessories (43%), electrical (43%) and airbags (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade have?
4 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade get?
13 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $5,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Cadillac Escalade have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac Escalade year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works