What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 Cadillac Escalade

Typical pattern

2% of complaints about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (42 complaints), typically at 4.8 yr or about 80,000 miles.

Complaints
102
Median age at failure
4.7 yr
Median mileage
45,000 n=14
Crash / fire / tow
9.8% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
42 reports · 80,000 mi
4.8 yr
7.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V619000 2025-09-18
Fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

25V274000 2025-04-24
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

24V797000 2024-10-24
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

22V827000 2022-11-03
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

22V617000 2022-08-11
Seat belts:critical fasteners

General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

22V036000 2022-01-27
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V739000 2021-09-23
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

21V421000 2021-06-10
Air bags:srs malfunction warning lamp/light

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

21V190000 2021-03-18
Seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

In owners’ own words

Engine mileage not reported 4.3 yr in service
I bought this car used and within a couple hundred miles the car would just shut off and the dash lights came on. I took it in and they diagnosed it and replaced the camshaft actuator. Within a few hundred more miles the same symptoms appeared as I was driving on a 70mph freeway. I had to pull over to the shoulder and this time noticed a metallic smell. Car would not turn on. Had to get it towed back to the dealer. After a month there they informed me the engine seized and needs to be replaced. Approximately 6 weeks and still no estimate to when I will get my car back.
Engine mileage not reported 3.6 yr in service
Under normal driving the engine seized with no warning and vehicle would not operate leaving me stranded on the street for several hours. This occured April 2024 with approximately 58000 miles. The Engine had to be replaced.
Engine mileage not reported 4.3 yr in service
Driving home going 60-70 miles an hour I lost power in the middle of the highway and cruised off to the emergency lane. Engine completely shut off out of nowhere. Spedeometer went down even though i was pressing the accelerator . Starter burned out as well. Dealership says there was metal in the engine. Ordered a new engine and that engine was also defected. Now going into my third engine. In less than 2 months. If traffic would have been worse the possibility of safely maneuvering to a emergency lane could be fatal. Also one of the day running lights on multiple 2021 escalades go off.

Other Escalade model years

2026202420232022202120172016201520112010200920082007200420032002

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