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2021 Cadillac EscaladeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 80 owner complaints about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, most often about the engine. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-797 the manufacturer reports only 78% of affected cars repaired.

2021 Cadillac Escalade
41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Escalade median · #7 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls9Lowest repair rate 78%Owner complaints805 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage74kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2021 Cadillac Escalade has problems

80 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine471
Engine and engine cooling100
Electrical system101
Power train100
Fuel/propulsion system70
Forward collision avoidance50
Seat belts31
Visibility/wiper20
Exterior lighting20
9 other systems131

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2021 Cadillac Escalade recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

83%repaired · 2026 Q3

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 25V-619 · Sep 18, 2025 · 12 vehicles · 10 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

88%repaired · 2026 Q3

Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical

Recall 25V-274 · Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles · 527,985 repaired

Risk. Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

93%repaired · 2024 Q3

Lighting control module: software

Recall 22V-827 · Nov 3, 2022 · 338,735 vehicles · 313,647 repaired

Risk. Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
90%repaired · 2024 Q3

Seat belts: critical fasteners

Recall 22V-617 · Aug 11, 2022 · 484,155 vehicles · 434,300 repaired

Risk. A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

88%repaired · 2023 Q4

Driveline: driveshaft

Recall 22V-036 · Jan 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles · 1,566 repaired

Risk. Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

97%repaired · 2023 Q2

Air bags: SRS malfunction warning lamp/light

Recall 21V-421 · Jun 10, 2021 · 285,622 vehicles · 277,508 repaired

Risk. The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

94%repaired · 2023 Q1

Seat belts

Recall 21V-190 · Mar 18, 2021 · 94,641 vehicles · 88,866 repaired

Risk. A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.

Best & worst years

2021 vs. every other Escalade year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escalade median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2021 Cadillac Escalade safety ratings

2021 Cadillac Escalade SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Standard
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Loss of motive power due to engine failureEA25007 · still open
    Open
  2. Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyEA26005 · still open
    Open
  3. Air Bag MalfunctionPE21010 · closed Aug 24, 2023
    No recall
  4. Loss of motive power due to engine failurePE25001 · closed Oct 23, 2025
    Led to recall 25V-274
  5. Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyRQ26001 · closed Aug 20, 2026
    No recall
In owners' words

What Escalade owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WAS DRIVING UP THE PASS TO [XXX] LOST #4 CYLINDER. DROPPED IT OFF AT STEPHEN WADE CADILLAC FOR MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR. IT TOOK ALMOST 2 MONTHS TO GET IT REPAIRED..MILEAGE WAS [XXX]. I LIVE IN [XXX] SO HAD TO RENT A CAR AND LEAVE IT THERE. XXX-PICKED UP OUR ESCALADE AFTER REPAIRS. XXX-MILEAGE…
Complaint 11776444 · Nov 7, 2026
There is internal engine failure. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety as well as others were at risk when the engine started to fail, without warning, causing my car to jolt and briefly lose control of steering. If complete engine failure happened while driving, I would not have control…
Complaint 11771824 · Oct 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle completely stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the Stability, Parking, and Collision warning lights were illuminated alongside several other unknown alerts. The vehicle was…
Complaint 11771119 · Oct 14, 2026 · 67,300 miles

Own a 2021 Escalade?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.