2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 Escalade ESV years
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 71 NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls, with a complaint index of 93 and rank 2 of 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 82% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 69,608.
- Complaints
- 71
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine58 (82%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (17%)
- Electrical System11 (15%)
- Fuel System6 (8%)
- Brakes4 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (3%)
- Other2 (3%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
- Steering1 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine lifters breaking, causing rough idle and sudden power surges.
- Some describe the engine rattling and shaking, then overheating to as high as 240-260 degrees with warning lights and shutdown.
- Others report the vehicle stalling at low speed with no warning light, then being diagnosed as needing both the electrical system and engine replaced.
- Some owners report a sudden, unexplained loss of power while driving, suspected to be linked to fuel pump failure.
- A steering wheel lockup was reported that caused loss of control and a crash.
- Owners waiting on the seat belt buckle recall report long delays due to parts not being available.
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V827000Nov 3, 2022Electrical System338,735 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
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."
Risk: 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.
2021 compared with other Escalade ESV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV reliable?
- NHTSA lists 71 complaints and a complaint index of 93 for the 2021 Escalade ESV, ranking it 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other years of this model.
- What is the main problem area for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
- Engine issues account for 82% of complaints, the largest share of any problem area, with a median mileage at failure of 69,608.
- Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year, covering the engine, transmission, electrical system, fuel system, steering, airbags, and seat belts.
- How does the 2021 model compare to other Escalade ESV years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 93 is higher than most other years, though 2022 (87), 2023 (100), and 2024 (80) are also rated Avoid, making 2023 the worst year in the dataset.
- Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2021 Escalade ESV?
- NHTSA lists 2 crashes and 3 injuries associated with complaints for the 2021 Escalade ESV, with no reported fires or deaths.