YearToAvoid

2021 Cadillac Escalade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2021 Cadillac Escalade carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 72 complaints, 9 recall campaigns, and engine problems make up 74% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 53,500 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 Escalade years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
72
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
9
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
16.5
14.5 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2021 Cadillac Escalade problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine53 (74%)
  2. Electrical System9 (13%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain9 (13%)
  4. Fuel System7 (10%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (8%)
  6. Other5 (7%)
  7. Seat Belts3 (4%)
  8. Lane Departure2 (3%)
  9. Steering2 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine stalls or seizes suddenly while driving, sometimes with a knocking noise beforehand, leaving the vehicle inoperable.
  • Some owners report the engine stopping shortly after the check engine light illuminates, disabling power windows, locks, and steering assist.
  • One owner reported the vehicle caught fire after stopping at a traffic light.
  • A driver reported the steering wheel detaching while driving on a toll road, resulting in a crash.
  • Adaptive cruise control has reportedly triggered a sudden panic stop with no other vehicles nearby.
  • Transmission symptoms include the engine shutting off unexpectedly along with dashboard warning lights, with a camshaft actuator replacement noted in one case.
2021 Cadillac Escalade complaints: complaints filed per month7Apr 2021Jan 2025Apr 2025Jul 2025Oct 2025Feb 2026May 2026Aug 2026
72 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2025 (7).

2021 Cadillac Escalade recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V619000Sep 18, 2025Fuel System12 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 9 recalls for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade →

2021 Cadillac Escalade fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14.5 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
16.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,850
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Escalade years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good3525017
2020Best2014217
2021Avoid7572916.5
2022Avoid8582416
2023Avoid100136416

All Cadillac Escalade years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 75, ranking it 6th worst among 21 Escalade model years, with an Avoid verdict relative to other Escalade years.
What are the main problems with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?
Engine issues dominate, accounting for 74% of complaints (53 of 72), with a median failure mileage of 53,500 miles. Transmission and electrical system problems each make up 13% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have engine recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists a 2025 recall for possible engine damage on 6.2L V8 models, plus a separate 2025 fuel tank recall on diesel-equipped units, among the 9 total recall campaigns for this year.
How many recalls does the 2021 Escalade have?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, covering engine, fuel system, transmission control module software, electrical daytime running lights, seat belts, and airbag communications module issues.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?
EPA rates it at 16.5 mpg combined (14.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.