2021 Cadillac Escalade
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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 39 |
| 2000 | 71 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 115 |
| 2003 | 81 |
| 2004 | 69 |
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 229 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 49 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 94 |
| 2016 | 86 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 57 |
| 2022 | 71 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
58% of complaints: engine — 33 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20250814
14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20250404
7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 4 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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, 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
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.
Campaign 25V619000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Cadillac Escalade — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 21V190000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V421000 (air bags, electrical system) 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.
- Verify recall 25V619000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.