2021 Cadillac Escalade Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Escalade years
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 74% of complaints, and NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this year.
- Complaints
- 72
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14.5 city / 20 hwy
Top 2021 Cadillac Escalade problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine53 (74%)
- Electrical System9 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (13%)
- Fuel System7 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (8%)
- Other5 (7%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
- Lane Departure2 (3%)
- Steering2 (3%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine suddenly stalls or seizes while driving, sometimes with a knocking or metallic sound coming from under the hood beforehand.
- Some engine failures happen at highway speed and leave the vehicle unable to restart, with the median mileage at failure around 53,500 for engine complaints.
- Owners describe the transmission causing the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly, sometimes tied to a camshaft actuator issue, with a metallic smell noted afterward.
- A steering wheel reportedly detached completely while driving, leading to a crash.
- Adaptive cruise control has been reported to trigger a sudden panic stop with no warning and no throttle response.
- One owner reported the vehicle caught fire while stopped at a light and was later towed and totaled.
2021 Cadillac Escalade recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
- Among 16 model years of the Escalade, 2021 ranks 5th worst with a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict. Engine issues make up 74% of its 72 complaints.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?
- NHTSA data shows engine complaints lead at 74% of the total, followed by electrical system and transmission & powertrain issues, each at 13%. Median mileage at engine-related failure is 40,000 for the model overall and 53,500 for engine complaints specifically.
- Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2021 Escalade, covering the fuel system, engine, transmission control module software, electrical daytime running lights, seat belts, driveshafts, fuel pump, and airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Escalade compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 73 is worse than 2018 (7), 2020 (13), and 2012 (20), but better than 2023 (100), 2022 (93), and 2015 (87), which carry the Avoid verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?
- EPA rates the 2021 Escalade at 16.5 mpg combined (14.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850.