2011 Cadillac Escalade

▲ Better than typical
2011 Cadillac Escalade
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:30:18.977Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Cadillac Escalade Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1999: 39 complaints 1999 2000: 71 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2002: 115 complaints 2003: 81 complaints 2003 2004: 69 complaints 2005: 42 complaints 2006: 19 complaints 2007: 229 complaints 2007 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 58 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2011: 49 complaints 2011 2012: 20 complaints 2013: 17 complaints 2014: 19 complaints 2015: 94 complaints 2015 2016: 86 complaints 2017: 49 complaints 2018: 21 complaints 2019: 24 complaints 2019 2020: 13 complaints 2021: 57 complaints 2022: 71 complaints 2023: 119 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 14 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
2011: 49 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199939
200071
20013
2002115
200381
200469
200542
200619
2007229
2008136
200958
201038
201149
201220
201317
201419
201594
201686
201749
201821
201924
202013
202157
202271
2023119
202441
202514
20269

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 69%

69% of complaints: air bags — 34 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL LETTER RECEIVED FROM GM CADILLAC NEARLY 2 (OR 2+) YEARS AGO. HAVE BEEN TO TOM PEACOCK DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM EVERY 4-6 MONTHS SINCE THEN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171106

TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS RECALL

NHTSA ODI report, 20171106

TAKATA RECALL GM RECALL #: 2049151 NHTSA # 16V381 DATE ISSUED: MAY 27, 2016 RECALL TITLE: PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS RECALL DESCRIPTION: TAKATA CORPORATION ('TAKATA') HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171031

SUSPENSION 4%

4% of complaints: suspension — 2 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 4%

4% of complaints: structure — 2 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes — 2 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: electrical system — 2 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20110111 — suspension

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND CO

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 10V643000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110111 — suspension

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

R 20110725 — steering

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

R 20150212 — electrical system

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

R 20210301 — air bags

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

R 20210511 — air bags

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

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Cadillac Escalade — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V643000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • 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

▲ 2010 ▲ 1999 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ◆ 2008 ◆ 2023

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Cadillac Escalade is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac Escalade?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade have?

6 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.