2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv.

20202022
Complaints
85
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
9
Fatalities
Recalls
10

Worst 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#140 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:74,800 mi
#211 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:52,000 mi
Crash-related:1
#311 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:25,000 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv.

Engine Problems
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,800
Electrical Faults
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
52,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
25,000
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,522
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,308,064 vehicles.

25V274000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
~597,571 affected

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.

24V797000Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve Body · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module:software
~463,295 affected

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.

22V827000Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software
~338,735 affected

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."

22V617000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
~484,155 affected

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.

22V036000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~1,789 affected

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.

21V739000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump:control/drive Module
~14,939 affected

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.

21V455000Steering:steering Control Module
~26,847 affected

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.

21V421000Air Bags:srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/light · Electrical System:software
~285,622 affected

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.

21V190000Seat Belts:rear/other · Seat Belts
~94,641 affected

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.

20V811000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners · Seat Belts
~470 affected

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.

Other Cadillac Escalade Esv Years

2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv has 85 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 40 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (40 complaints, avg 74,800 mi); Electrical Faults (11 complaints, avg 52,000 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (11 complaints, avg 25,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 61,267 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,308,064 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Cadillac Escalade Esv reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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