Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine54
- Power train12
- Electrical system11
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Service brakes4
- Unknown or other2
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Seat belts2
- Suspension1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 7 2021 Escalade ESV vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV failed the safety check 0.72% of the time — 24% less often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 36,048 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 0 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | 21.2 % |
| 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 21.9 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV.
| 2025225 24 Apr 2025 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the connecting rods and/or crankshaft components may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could make abnor… |
| 2024637 24 Oct 2024 | Powertrain Issue: Over time, the transmission control valve could wear and lose pressure. If this happens, the transmission could shift harshly and could cause the rear … |
| 2024060 1 Feb 2024 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the lower beam headlamps not to turn on as it becomes dark outside if the multi-function switch is … |
| 2023472 24 Aug 2023 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, the automatic headlamps may not turn on soon enough as it becomes dark outside. Canadian regulations require automatic headlamps t… |
| 2022634 3 Nov 2022 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, the daytime running lamps (DRLs) may stay on when the headlamps are on. Canadian regulations require the DRLs to turn off when the… |
| 2022456 11 Aug 2022 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the left and/or right third-row seat belt buckles may not have been attached correctly. As a result, the seat belts could detach i… |
| 2022027 27 Jan 2022 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, parts inside the rear axle shafts may not have been manufactured properly. Over time, this could lead to wear that can cause noise… |
| 2021380 17 Jun 2021 | Steering Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause a loss of power steering assist at vehicle start up or while driving. Safety Risk: A loss of … |
| 2021348 3 Jun 2021 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the airbag warning light not to turn on when there is a fault in the airbag system. As a result, a … |
| 2021165 18 Mar 2021 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the outboard seat belts for the third-row seat may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, the seat belts could be mis-route… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
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.
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.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Cadillac told its dealers about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11012009 | This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible transmission noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern noted. |
| 11012001 | This Preliminary information communicates to dealership technicians that if they encounter a vehicle with this issue, they can contact TCSC to have the software for the MDI backdated to communicate properly. |
| 11011996 | This service bulletin provides diagnostic/repair information to correct a customer concern of Cellphone not Charging or USB Receptacle Inoperative. |
| 11011993 | This service bulletin provides repair information to correct customer concerns of Wheel Lock Up, ABS Event, Loud Bang and a Flashing D on Driver Information Center (DIC) when Lightly or Moderately Accelerating Forcing an 8-7 or 8-6 Downshift. |
| 11011990 | This service bulletin provides a procedure to clean the back side of the rims and rotors and to correct the customer concern of wheel clicking. |
| 11011989 | This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. |
| 11011946 | This informational bulletin provides information on Outside Rear View Mirror Defog or Defrost Times Different for Passenger and Driver Mirrors. |
| 11011911 | This bulletin provides diagnostic information when checking the exhaust system for leaks. |
| 11011900 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
| 11011890 | This Preliminary information communicates A diagnostic tip from root causing DTC: C1197 caused by a pinched air inlet hose to the suspension compressor air leveling system. |
| 11011885 | This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips on how to resolve a issues with vehicles that will not power up after a can bus 2 issue, lightning strike, or a failed overthe air update. |
| 11011880 | Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause harsh shifting, setting a service engine soon message, reduced engine performance or P0747 diagnostic trouble code. Dealers are to install a new control valve body. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, r |
| 11011872 | This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip on how to resolve a issue if the serial data authentication configuration did not complete correctly. |
| 11011857 | This Preliminary information communicatesDiagnostic Tips When Having Difficulties Programming Or Adding Key Fobs / Transmitters. |
| 11011826 | Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause harsh shifting, setting a service engine soon message, reduced engine performance or P0747 diagnostic trouble code. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with re |
| 11011805 | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. |
| 11011773 | This Preliminary information communicates the proper component naming and labor operation codes for the air leveling system RPO F47and theElectronic Suspension Control SystemRPO Z95 |
| 11011771 | This Preliminary information communicates an issue with how to properly inspect and ensure the air lines for the air suspension system are fully seated. |
| 11011709 | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. |
| 11011684 | This Preliminary information communicates an issue with high resistance in the glass breakage loop that could cause a dead battery or unwanted theft alarm. Dealers are to inspect the glass breakage loop. |
| 11011476 | This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips on how to resolve a issues with vehicles that will not power up after a can bus 2 issue, lightning strike, or a failed overthe air update. |
| 11011475 | This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip on how to resolve a issue if the serial data authentication configuration did not complete correctly. |
| 11011465 | This Preliminary information communicates to dealership technicians that if they encounter a vehicle with this issue, they can contact TCSC to have the software for the MDI backdated to communicate properly. |
| 11011431 | This Preliminary information communicates adiagnostic tip when experiencing an error when trying to perfom a trim height learn or review pressure data in GDS |
| 11011406 | This Preliminary information communicatesa "Forward Collision System Reduced" message displayed on the DIC when theForward Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This is normal when theFAB has been set to "Alert". |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Air Bag Malfunction
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation