VehicleVerdict

2021 Cadillac Escalade problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade carries two red flags at once: 85 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy). It is one of the Escalade years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 48% of all reports (41 of 85), far ahead of driver assistance at 8. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

85

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

4

Investigations · 2 open

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Escalade years?

Escalade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted317 complaints1999: 46 complaints2000: 96 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 164 complaints2003: 111 complaints2004: 99 complaints2005: 63 complaints2006: 26 complaints2007: 317 complaints2008: 180 complaints2009: 89 complaints2010: 47 complaints2011: 53 complaints2012: 32 complaints2013: 23 complaints2014: 29 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 120 complaints2017: 76 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 28 complaints2020: 15 complaints2021: 85 complaints2022: 98 complaints2023: 176 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 24 complaints2026: 16 complaints
Escalade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escalade years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Cadillac Escalade problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4148%
Driver Assistance89%
Electrical System78%
Transmission78%
Fuel System56%
Other45%
Seat Belts34%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Lighting22%
Latches & Locks11%
Steering11%
Body & Structure11%
Suspension11%
Brakes11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V619000Fuel SystemSeptember 18, 2025 · 12 units

Defect

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. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252512770. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 18, 2025.

25V274000EngineApril 24, 2025 · 597,571 units

Defect

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. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Consequence

Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

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. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

24V797000TransmissionOctober 24, 2024 · 463,295 units

Defect

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 engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Consequence

Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

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. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

22V827000LightingNovember 3, 2022 · 338,735 units

Defect

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.

22V617000Seat BeltsAugust 11, 2022 · 484,155 units

Defect

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. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

Consequence

A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.

22V036000TransmissionJanuary 27, 2022 · 1,789 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Consequence

Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.

21V739000Fuel SystemSeptember 23, 2021 · 14,939 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.

21V421000AirbagsJune 10, 2021 · 285,622 units

Defect

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. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Consequence

The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

21V190000Seat BeltsMarch 18, 2021 · 94,641 units

Defect

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. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

Consequence

A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ26001

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 36 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V274. In each VOQ, the engine had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported failure incident. Recall 25V-274 addresses vehicles equipped with a L87 6.2L V8 gas engine that experienced engine damage or failure. Recall 25V-274’s remedy includes an engine inspection.  Based on the results of the inspection the vehicle will receive an oil change to a higher viscosity oil or an engine replacement.  The complaints received allege failures of both remedies. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 25V-274. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA25007

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001).  GM determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the supplier manufacturing and quality issues produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. Based on the issuance of recall 25V-274, NHTSA has closed PE25001. ODI continues to receive a significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of 25V-274.  This presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis (EA) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues of vehicles built outside the recall scope. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. The contact head struck the steering wheel, and he sustained a head injury. The vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2025 · crash

“I purchased this vehicle on October 20, 2025. I took it to the Cadillac dealership and was told a list of over 20 issues involving the vehicle. The tires have holes in them. The suspension is at Rick of failing, wiring and components are missing. The night vision camera and radars on the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 12, 2025

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 28, 2022 · fire

“The engine. I’m told my engine is not part of the recall but makes an extremely loud sound on start up. Been to dealer just for them to say the vehicle is not part of the recall. Recently called roadside assistance because the vehicle shut off in the middle of traffic. Took it back to dealer,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 21, 2026

“There was a recall on the L87 propulsion. The dealer changed the oil and said it was fixed. I left the dealer and the issue still persists. They refuse to address it. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 1, 2024

2021 Cadillac Escalade — common questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 85 complaints put the 2021 model at #12 of 28 Escalade years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Escalade years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 Escalade problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (41 complaints), driver assistance (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Cadillac Escalade years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escalade years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2023, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2000, 2009, 2021, 2024, 2011, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2013. The cleanest record among Escalade years belongs to 2001.

How safe is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.