2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
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.
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
68% of complaints: engine — 42 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
On November 29th 2021, I cranked up my ESV headed to work. To my surprise, I heard which to me sounds like metal hammers clanking together. I immediately turn off the truck. In my experience it sounded like lifters and pistons out of sync.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220106
At 3,000 miles on this new car, the motor began to rattle, shake, and then heat up to 240-260 degrees when the dashboard flashed and the vehicle and lights turned off.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210907
2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS T0 ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210730
18% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I had my 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv vehicle service twice at the dealership of purchase regarding the vehicle gear shifting on its own and dragging. The service advisor said they couldnât find a problem with the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240216
18% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I had my 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv vehicle service twice at the dealership of purchase regarding the vehicle gear shifting on its own and dragging. The service advisor said they couldnât find a problem with the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240216
11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: service brakes — 4 distinct reports on file.
INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.
Campaign 20V811000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Malfunction
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021.
Campaign 21V190000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021.
Campaign 21V421000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021.
Campaign 21V455000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021.
Campaign 21V739000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.
Campaign 22V036000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.
Campaign 22V617000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022.
Campaign 22V827000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve.
Campaign 24V797000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual.
Campaign 25V274000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V190000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V421000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V455000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V739000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V036000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V617000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V827000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V797000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V274000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 68% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
10 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.