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Your vehicleHome›Cadillac›Escalade› 2021
Cadillac · Large SUV

2021 Cadillac Escalade

Gas Diesel
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
49 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 12
Complaints5 crash · 2 fire · 5 injured reported 169
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 23 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Escalade 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 169 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Cadillac Escalade — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac Escalade · Photo: BuickCentury04 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Escalade 2WDGasRWD6.2L 8-cyl152017$4,850
Escalade 2WDGasRWD6.2L 8-cyl142016$5,150
Escalade 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl141916$5,150
Escalade 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl131916$5,150
Escalade 2WDDieselRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo212723$4,150
Escalade 4WDDiesel4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202622$4,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42616, 44033, 42625, 44042, 43492, 43593.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Escalade 2WD, Escalade 4WD3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders8
Displacement6.2 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows3
Seating capacity7 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds10

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Premium Luxury, Sport, Sport Platinum). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length211.8–227.2 in
Width (body, without mirrors)81.1 in
Height76.4–76.8 in
Wheelbase120.9–134.3 in
Track, front68.5 in
Track, rear68.1 in
Curb weight5,721–6,111 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear52/48 to 53/47

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 6 configurations: Esv Luxury 4-door SUV, Esv Sport / Premium Luxury 4-door SUV, Esv Sport Platinum / Premium Luxury Platform 4-door SUV, Luxury 4-door SUV, Sport / Premium Luxury 4-door SUV, Sport Platinum / Premium Luxury Platform 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2021 Escalade
Other years The 2027 Escalade Recalls Cadillac recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (12)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Diesel

N252512770
12 vehicles 83% reported repaired built Jul 13, 2021 – Jul 13, 2021
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V619000 reported Sep 18, 2025 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

N252494000
597,571 vehicles 88% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V274000 reported Apr 24, 2025 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Power Train

N242454440
463,295 vehicles 78% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V797000 reported Oct 24, 2024 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Exterior Lighting

N222382220
338,735 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem 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." Risk Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V827000 reported Nov 3, 2022 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

N222372380
484,155 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V617000 reported Aug 11, 2022 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

N212351030
1,789 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V036000 reported Jan 27, 2022 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

N212332040
14,939 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V739000 reported Sep 23, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

N212333900
26,847 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash. Fix The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V455000 reported Jun 17, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

N212338110
285,622 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem 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. 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. Fix The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V421000 reported Jun 10, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

N202313000
94,641 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V190000 reported Mar 18, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

N202322230
470 vehicles 94% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V811000 reported Dec 23, 2020 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

N202319980
3,203 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles. The front passenger seat belt and airbag status telltale lights located in the overhead console in these vehicles may be set to "night mode" when the vehicle is started using remote start or when the vehicle is turned off and re-started after approximately ten minutes without opening the door. In daytime, if night mode is active, the telltale lights may not be visible, and fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk If the telltale lights are not visible, the driver and front passenger may not know that the front passenger is unbuckled or has a deactivated air bag, increasing the risk of passenger injury in a crash. Fix The body control module (BCM) software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319980.
NHTSA campaign 20V790000 reported Dec 17, 2020 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy open

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or a

Opened Aug 20, 2026 · action EA26005 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy closed

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or a

Opened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026 · action RQ26001 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001).  GM determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the supplie

Opened Oct 23, 2025 · action EA25007 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure closed

On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. On April 24, 2025, GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the concern with L87 en

Opened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025 · action PE25001 · the investigation’s page →

Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light — Air Bag Malfunction closed

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag

Opened Apr 9, 2021 · closed Aug 24, 2023 · action PE21010 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Escalade

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Cadillac publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Cadillac’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Escalade →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
169complaints filed

5 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

40 per 10,000 built · Cadillac reported 42,759 Escalade built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 70 · 2026: 62

Most-cited components

Engine → 124
Electrical System 23
Power Train 22
Fuel/Propulsion System 14
Forward Collision Avoidance 10
Unspecified 8

In depth: engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

I own a 2021 Cadillac Escalade that falls under the manufacturer recall issued by GM/Cadillac for engine problems associated with this specific make, model, and year. I received an official recall notice via both email and U.S. Postal Service, instructing me to take my vehicle to my local dealership to have the recall addressed.
Engine Aug 2, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11677948
I purchased my Vehicle a little over a year ago and have had multiple engine repairs. The first issue started with the lifters going out. Shortly after the lifters were repaired, the engine seized, causing us to get an engine replacement.
Power Train Mar 14, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11648258
When I was driving my Cadillac Escalade, when I stopped at the stop light, the car caught fire, it was later towed and totaled
Electrical System Apr 4, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11652848
2 years ago I was driving down I-65 in indiana heading back to indiana and had an immediate loss of propulsion and had to steer to side of road with remaing power in the farthest left lane. Vehichles and semis at high speed as i tried to steer with remaining proprulsion to side of road.
Fuel/Propulsion System Apr 26, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11657013
Our 2021 Cadillac Escalade has experienced multiple ongoing issues. The “driver airbag warning” light has been a major concern, with the dealership stating that the airbag could malfunction at any moment.
Air Bags Feb 11, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11642093
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side front door failed to unlock as intended. The contact stated that the driver's side front door failed to unlock from inside or outside the vehicle.
Latches/Locks/Linkages at 35,000 miles Jan 30, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11639702

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Cadillac itself: 30 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 38 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 70 per 100,000 built. Every Escalade model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 40k

miles, typically

Half the 26 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 33,000 and 80,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 26 on file: 3 under 10k, 1 10k–20k, 2 20k–30k, 6 30k–40k, 2 40k–50k, 1 50k–60k, 3 60k–70k, 1 70k–80k, 2 80k–90k, 2 90k–100k, 3 100k–150k.

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine2162,0001.24×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2021-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%
SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%
SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆22%
SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆22%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (5)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
5reports filed

2 no injury reported · 3 severity unknown

Apr 2024 to Jun 2026 · 5 with an air bag deployment · 1 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: Super Cruise 1.0 (2), LEVEL 2 (1), Level 2 (1), level 2 (1)

Crash partner: Heavy Truck 2 · Other 2 · Unknown 1

Filed by: General Motors, LLC

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Jun 2026Level 2 · Super Cruise 1.0Heavy TruckunknownAR84 mph540-15719
Mar 2026Level 2 · Super Cruise 1.0Heavy Truckno injury reportedFL57 mph540-14347
Sep 2025Level 2 · level 2UnknownunknownNC84 mph540-11665
Apr 2025Level 2 · LEVEL 2OtherunknownCA67 mph540-10591
Apr 2024Level 2 · Level 2Otherno injury reportedCO50 mph540-7451

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

On 4/[redacted]/2025, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade was traveling south in the far-left lane on [redacted] (Avocado Highway) in Fallbrook, California with Super Cruise engaged and active.
General Motors, LLC report 540-10591 Apr 2025 NHTSA SGO filing
On June [redacted], 2026, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade was travelling eastbound on [redacted] near Benton, Arkansas with Super Cruise engaged and active. Crash data indicates a front impact and a left impact occurred that deployed the driver front airbag and front seat pretensioners and that the driver was wearing their seat belt at the time of the incident.
General Motors, LLC report 540-15719 Jun 2026 NHTSA SGO filing
On March [redacted], 2026, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade was traveling southeast on [redacted] near Hawthorne, Florida, with Super Cruise engaged and active. Crash data recorded a frontal impact that resulted in deployment of the airbag and front seat belt pretensioners. The driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
General Motors, LLC report 540-14347 Mar 2026 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 7 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

1 more in this page’s JSON.

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every GM warranty extension (33) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 2,766
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-05
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 2703 service bulletins, 41 service campaigns, 16 emissionss

Most often about: Engine, Electrical System, Equipment, Unknown Or Other, Power Train.

  • PIT6477D Service bulletin
    2026-10-05 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary PI was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be able to perform a GDS automated bleed with the scan tool dues to a issue with the software in the scan tool
  • PIT5698F Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
  • PIT5801F Service bulletin
    2026-09-10 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips for air leveling suspension system.
  • PIP4902W Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIT6516C Service bulletin
    2026-08-27 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary information communicates ordering process for the night vision camera that are on restriction for all listed vehicles for Technical Assistance review.
  • PIT5869B Service bulletin
    2026-08-26 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides a diagnostic tip when fuse F4DR is opening and dealerships are to inspect the wiring at the center console lid.
  • PIC6551C Service bulletin
    2026-08-20 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
  • PIT6446A Service bulletin
    2026-07-24 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI Communicates information to ensure Memory Recall is enabled to ensure memory mirrors return to set position after curbview assist is used.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
B14DCManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Air Bags39 bulletins
P12A6Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine21 bulletins
P0300
P0300 on Cadillac →		Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →18 bulletins
P0201Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine · Fuel injector →17 bulletins
P0202Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine · Fuel injector →17 bulletins
P0203Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine · Fuel injector →17 bulletins
P0204Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine · Fuel injector →17 bulletins
P0205Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine17 bulletins
P0206Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine17 bulletins
P0216Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine17 bulletins
C1197
C1197 on Cadillac →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Suspension · Struts and shocks →13 bulletins
P0106
P0106 on Cadillac →		The manifold pressure sensor reading does not track what the engine is doing.Engine13 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade failed the emissions check on 6.8% of first inspections — higher than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.82% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 6.8%

failed emissions

1,217 initial inspections of 1,176 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 EscaladeEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check6.8%1.9%1,213
Failed the safety inspection0.82%1.5%1,217
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.16%0.19%1,217
Miles driven a year12,06310,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer63,41554,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Escalade by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 17 mpg2026 D 4 54 Do not drive2025 A 1 39 17 mpg2024 B 2 74 23 mpg2023 C 4 234 23 mpg2022 C 4 142 23 mpg2021 this page F 12 169 23 mpg2020 B 2 36 17 mpg2019 A 1 59 17 mpg2018 B 2 36 17 mpg2017 B 2 89 17 mpg2016 D 4 104 Do not drive

Common questions about the 2021 Escalade

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 24V797000, covering Power Train. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Cadillac Escalade 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 3-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (49/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

Transport Canada measured it at 211.8–227.2 in long, 81.1 in wide (body, without mirrors), 76.4–76.8 in tall, on a 120.9–134.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 5,721–6,111 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, most often about engine, electrical system, power train. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is 3 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

The manufacturer has filed 2766 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, most often covering engine, electrical system, equipment. The most recent is dated 2026-10-05. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade failed the emissions check on 6.8% of first inspections — higher than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.82% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations6 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls12NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints169NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings4 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins2766NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations5NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports5NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 Escalade The Escalade model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Cadillac recall on file All campaigns filed against Cadillac vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Escalade by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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