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2021 Cadillac Escalade

Verified August 31, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
4
of 5 stars
Recalls
9
on record
MPG
combined

Heavily recalled

9 safety recalls on record. Confirm with the seller that every campaign has been completed.

Vehicle Summary

2021 Cadillac Escalade

9 recalls
76 complaints
4/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Confirm all 9 recalls were repaired — a dealer checks by VIN, free
Read the 2 complaints reporting a crash
Review the 76 owner complaints on record
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
9
Owner complaints
76
Complaints citing a crash
2

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

9 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 21V739000high

    Fuel system issue

    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

    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.

    Consequence

    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V036000high

    Driveshaft bolt issue

    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

    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.

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V421000high

    Airbag system issue

    AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT

    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.

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V190000high

    Safety restraint issue

    SEAT BELTS

    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.

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V617000high

    Safety restraint issue

    SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

    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.

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V827000high

    Lighting issue

    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

    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."

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 24V797000high

    Drivetrain issue

    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 25V274000high

    Engine issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 25V619000high

    Fuel system issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record

NHTSA crash-test ratings

NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade.

  • Frontal crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    4 / 5
  • Side crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
    Side pole
    5 / 5
  • Rollover

    Rollover risk
    21.9%
    Dynamic tip
    No Tip

Driver-assistance technologies

Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane departure warning
Optional

What the ratings mean

NHTSA gives the 2021 Cadillac Escalade 4 out of 5 stars overall. NHTSA does not publish enough comparable results for this class and year to rank it against peers.

NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.

NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 21.9% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.

Fuel economy & emissions

The EPA holds no fuel-economy record for this model year.

The EPA does not publish a record for every model year.

Consumer complaints

76 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

76
Total
2
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE52
  • OTHER7
  • ELECTRICAL3
  • BRAKES3
  • FUEL SYSTEM2

Notable Issues

76 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 2 reports involve injuries. 2 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)52
miscellaneous issues7
electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)3

Safety timeline

Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, newest first.

  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation RQ26001

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

  2. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA25007

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

  3. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE25001

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

  4. Recall

    Recall 25V619000

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

  5. Recall

    Recall 25V274000

    Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

  6. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE25001

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

  7. Recall

    Recall 24V797000

    Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

  8. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE21010

    Air Bag Malfunction

  9. Recall

    Recall 22V827000

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

  10. Recall

    Recall 22V617000

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

  11. Recall

    Recall 22V036000

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

  12. Recall

    Recall 21V739000

    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

  13. Recall

    Recall 21V421000

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

  14. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE21010

    Air Bag Malfunction

  15. Recall

    Recall 21V190000

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

Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Unknown
Drive type
Unknown
Engine
0L 0-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Unknown
Seats
0

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Explore related

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation RQ26001

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

  2. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA25007

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

  3. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE25001

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

  4. Recall

    Recall 25V619000

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

  5. Recall

    Recall 25V274000

    Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.