2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 13 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 39 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 62 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 70 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 13 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
5 of 13 total reports mention: air bags.
Show complaint excerpts
TAKATA RECALL ISSUED 5/2016BY MAIL TO MY HOUSE. NHTSA#: 16V381 RECALL 49151. CALLED HOEHN BUICK CADILLAC IN CARLSBAD, CA. REPLIED THAT GM HADN'T SENT OUT PARTSYET. CALLED AGAIN & WENT TO DEALER ON 11/21/2016 & FINALLY 9/19/2017. SAME STORY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
TAKATA RECALL GM SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE THOUGH I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. I HAVE FOUR DAUGHTERS AGES 4 TO 10 YEARS OLD. THEIR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO ME.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160904
2 of 13 total reports mention: structure.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110424
2 of 13 total reports mention: seats.
Show complaint excerpts
HEATED SEAT MODULE AND WIRING MELTED. FIRE CONCERNS. MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED
NHTSA ODI report, 20171125
2 of 13 total reports mention: equipment.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110424
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110424
2 of 13 total reports mention: electrical system.
Show complaint excerpts
HEATED SEAT MODULE AND WIRING MELTED. FIRE CONCERNS. MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED
NHTSA ODI report, 20171125
CONNECTOR TO SEAT CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT SHORTED OUT AND MELTED WITHOUT FUSE INTERRUPTION. MELTED CONNECTOR FOUND WHEN HEATED SEAT FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170108
SAFETY TIMELINE
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, Y
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-9
Campaign 11V007000 — check if this car was fixed
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDI
Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY
Campaign 11V339000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
Campaign 14V827000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500,...
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 were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Campaign 21V050000 — check if this car was fixed
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, or ever registered, in the...
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 were mailed on February 25, 2021.
Campaign 21V054000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V007000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V339000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V827000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V050000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V054000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.