Cadillac›Escalade EXT›2012›Overview/cadillac/escalade-ext/2012/base/

2012 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Escalade EXT.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade EXT is an SUV equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 13/18/14 mpg city/highway/combined, with routine oil service calling for 5W-30 viscosity and a six-quart capacity. Within the 2002–2013 Escalade EXT complaint record, the 2012 model year sits near the low end with 21 owner complaints, well below the 246 reported for 2007 and just above the single complaint logged for the final 2013 model. Those 2012 complaints focus most frequently on air bags, and the model year carries three recalls—facts that frame it as a comparatively quiet late-production example rather than a standout trouble spot in the nameplate's history.

Model year2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy13/18/14 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12690386
Engine air filter	15908916 discontinued
Spark plug	12680072
Battery	88866116 alt 88866309
Front wiper blades	22793882
Serpentine belt	19210691 alt 12637200
Thermostat	89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter	22759203 alt 23101674

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	218.1 in
Overall width	79.1 in
Overall height	74.4 in
Wheelbase	129.9 in
Curb weight	5948 lb
Track (front / rear)	68.5 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 18 / 14 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SAE 80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.51 qt
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.75 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	8.85 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	74.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	148.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	70.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	70.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.037-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	660 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-60 w/o FPCM
RPM	43-45 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH RPO J92, JD9 / WITH RPO JH6
Torque Caliper to Bracket	74 ft-lbs / 28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	148 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH RPO J92, JD9 / WITH RPO JH6
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0007 in / 0.007 in / 0.0001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in / 0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.787 in / 1.496 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 230

111 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse bolts. · Bolts 1-10

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	70 degrees; Bolts 11-15	70 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs	22 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 15

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Emission Control System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows a general decline in complaints from the high of 246 in 2007 to a low of 19 in 2006, followed by a modest rise again before falling to 21 complaints in 2012. Compared with the preceding year, 2012 had fewer complaints (21 vs. 52 in 2011), fewer recalls (3 vs. 6), the same number of investigations (1), and a slightly higher TSB count (1,616 vs. 1,581). The following year, 2013, saw an even sharper drop to just 1 complaint while recalls and investigations remained unchanged at 3 and 1, respectively, and TSBs fell to 1,496. In 2012 the most frequently cited complaint areas were Air Bags (2), Unknown or Other (2), Electrical System/ESC/Engine (2), and Electrical System (2), with 3 crash‑related complaints and no fire complaints recorded. Given its comparatively low complaint and recall totals within the generation’s trend and the absence of fire‑related issues, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade EXT represents a relatively favorable year to consider for purchase, though attention should still be paid to the noted electrical system concerns.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1616

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags2

Unknown Or Other2

Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Engine2

Electrical System2

Electrical System,Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Structure1

Steering1

Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V054000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 05/02/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk…

21V051000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 05/02/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1616 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6400A	2026-01-16	Unknown Or Other	This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escalade EXT. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt Engine oil filter 12690386 Engine air filter 15908916 Spark plug 12680072 Battery 88866116

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Escalade EXT take?

6 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Escalade EXT have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escalade EXT get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 18 highway / 14 combined mpg.