2021 Cadillac Escalade: common problems and reliability
· 5th generationOne of the weaker Escalade years.
181 owner complaints, most about engine. 11 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Escalade?The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has 181 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag 6.2l engine failure requiring replacement.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Cadillac Escalade vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Escalade years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Escalade?
Across the 28 Escalade model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2001) to 802 (2007). With 181 complaints, the 2021 Escalade sits about the same as the model's median of 162.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Escalade
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
Campaign 21V739000General 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.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 22V036000General 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.
air bags:srs malfunction warning lamp/light
Campaign 21V421000General 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.
seat belts
Campaign 21V190000General 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.
Show 7 more recalls
seat belts:critical fasteners
Campaign 22V617000General 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.
exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
Campaign 22V827000General 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."
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 24V797000General 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 25V274000General 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.
fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 25V619000General 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.
steering:steering control module
Campaign 21V455000General 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.
seat belts
Campaign 20V811000General 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.
What owners report on the 5th generation Escalade
Owner sentiment for the 2020-2026 Escalade is sharply divided and dominated by anxiety over the 6.2L V8.
- Very frequent6.2L engine failure requiring replacement
- RecurrentOil consumption (approximately one quart per 2,000 miles, with low-oil warnings)
- RecurrentLifter and DFM/AFM-related engine concerns
- RecurrentLong waits for engine replacement and backordered parts
- RecurrentLoaner vehicle unavailability and slow reimbursement during warranty repairs
Owner insights for the 5th generation Escalade. Read the full 5th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Escalade listings typically run $25,495–$67,314.
Other Escalade model years
Compare every Escalade year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escalade against its rivals
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