2021 Cadillac Escalade Problems

77 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict AVOID 40/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine42
Electrical System10
Engine And Engine Cooling9
Power Train8
Forward Collision Avoidance7
Unknown Or Other6

In the owners’ words

“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. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet”NHTSA complaint, 2021 Cadillac Escalade owner
“Following a recent oil change, I started the vehicle back up to drive approximately an hour to another city and the engine was making a horrible “knocking” sound. Took the vehicle back to the dealership and it was confirmed catastrophic engine failure which fell under GM’s known 6.2L engine issues. My safety and my children’s safety were put at risk because had I not drove directly to the dealership instead of gettin”NHTSA complaint, 2021 Cadillac Escalade owner
“My family and I were returning from a trip, and the engine just died in the middle of the street at 2 AM. No noises from engine or anything, but it just stopped out of the blue.”NHTSA complaint, 2021 Cadillac Escalade owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
23/09/2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive Module SAFETYGeneral 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 oper
27/01/2022Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftGeneral 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 component
10/06/2021Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light SAFETYGeneral 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 incorrec
18/03/2021Seat Belts SAFETYGeneral 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 ent
11/08/2022Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners SAFETYGeneral 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
03/11/2022Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:SoftwareGeneral 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 t
24/10/2024Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:SoftwareGeneral 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
24/04/2025Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalGeneral 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.
18/09/2025Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly SAFETYGeneral 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 r

Questions owners ask

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

On the federal record it scores 40/100: 77 owner complaints (15.4 per year on the road) and 9 recall campaigns, 5 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 42 of 82 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade scored 40/100 on the federal record.

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