2021 Cadillac Escalade

● Typical for this model
2021 Cadillac Escalade
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:44:30.182Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
78
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

58% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 39 complaints 1999 2000: 71 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2002: 115 complaints 2003: 81 complaints 2003 2004: 69 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2006: 19 complaints 2007: 230 complaints 2007 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 58 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2011: 49 complaints 2011 2012: 20 complaints 2013: 18 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2015: 98 complaints 2015 2016: 89 complaints 2017: 51 complaints 2018: 21 complaints 2019: 25 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2021: 78 complaints 2021 78 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 142 complaints 2024: 50 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 37 complaints 2027: 1 complaint 2027
1999: 39 complaints 1999 2000: 71 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 115 complaints 2003: 81 complaints 2003 2004: 69 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2005 2006: 19 complaints 2007: 230 complaints 2007 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 58 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2011: 49 complaints 2011 2012: 20 complaints 2013: 18 complaints 2013 2014: 20 complaints 2015: 98 complaints 2015 2016: 89 complaints 2017: 51 complaints 2017 2018: 21 complaints 2019: 25 complaints 2019 2020: 14 complaints 2021: 78 complaints 2021 78 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 142 complaints 2023 2024: 50 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2025 2026: 37 complaints 2027: 1 complaint 2027
1999: 39 complaints 1999 2000: 71 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 115 complaints 2003: 81 complaints 2003 2004: 69 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2005 2006: 19 complaints 2007: 230 complaints 2007 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 58 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2011: 49 complaints 2011 2012: 20 complaints 2013: 18 complaints 2013 2014: 20 complaints 2015: 98 complaints 2015 2016: 89 complaints 2017: 51 complaints 2017 2018: 21 complaints 2019: 25 complaints 2019 2020: 14 complaints 2021: 78 complaints 2021 78 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 142 complaints 2023 2024: 50 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2025 2026: 37 complaints 2027: 1 complaint 2027

2021: 78 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199939
200071
20013
2002115
200381
200469
200543
200619
2007230
2008136
200958
201038
201149
201220
201318
201420
201598
201689
201751
201821
201925
202014
202178
202286
2023142
202450
202521
202637
20271

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

58% · 45 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph on the highway, a knocking noise emanated from the engine compartment, and the vehicle suddenly stopped and stalled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-14

Also filed under Seat belts

On the day I was driving my 2021 Escalade had completely stopped in the middle of traffic , the vehicle was looked over by a certified mechanic and stated that it was at the full level of oil 0w-20 as stated to be put in by gm on the oil cap he...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-22

On 7/14/26, I scheduled Escalade to be serviced at local dealership (MT) when A/C went out on drivers/middle vents and I noticed a faint ticking noise under hood. Was told engine lifters were damaged & needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-04

Power train

13% · 10 reports

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 10 reports
Show complaint excerpts

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-21

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while approaching a red light and slowing down, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-17

Electrical system

13% · 10 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When I was driving my Cadillac Escalade, when I stopped at the stop light, the car caught fire, it was later towed and totaled

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-04

Fuel/propulsion system

9% · 7 reports

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
  2. R
    2021-04-21Seat belts21V190000 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.

  3. R
    2021-07-01Air bags, electrical system21V421000 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.

  4. R
    2021-10-14Fuel system, gasoline21V739000 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.

  5. R
    2022-03-14Power train22V036000 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.

  6. R
    2022-11-01Seat belts22V617000 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.

  7. R
    2022-12-15Exterior lighting22V827000 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.

  8. R
    2024-12-12Power train24V797000 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.

  9. I
    2025-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-10-23 Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  10. R
    2025-06-18Engine and engine cooling25V274000 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.

  11. I
    2025-10-23Engineering analysisOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  12. R
    2025-11-05Fuel system, diesel25V619000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025.

  13. I
    2026-01-16Recall queryOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Cadillac Escalade — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 21V190000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V421000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 21V739000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 22V036000 · Power train
  • Recall 22V617000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 22V827000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 24V797000 · Power train
  • Recall 25V274000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 25V619000 · Fuel system, diesel

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.