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2021 Cadillac Escalade VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has mixed reliability. There are 12 recalls and 68 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. Severity signals include 2 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Engine (22), Power Train (8), Electrical System (8).

Escalade reliability snapshot

54/100
Latest model-year reliability score
2.5/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$1,007
Avg annual repair cost vs $1,127 category avg
#6/19
Ranking in luxury fullsize SUVs · better than 68% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Cadillac Escalade before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2021 Cadillac Escalade issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Engine22
  • Power Train8
  • Electrical System8
  • Engine And Engine Cooling8
  • Seat Belts4
  • Unknown Or Other4

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect engine for unusual noises or knocking
  • Check for any engine oil consumption issues
  • Test forward collision avoidance system for unexpected braking
  • Verify recall completion for engine and power train components
  • Test infotainment system for freezing or malfunctioning
  • Check for any error messages related to rear axle or transmission
  • Ensure exterior lighting functions correctly, especially day running lights

2021 Escalade recalls (12)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Escalade. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. FUEL SYSTEM, DIESELNHTSA 25V619000Sep 18, 2025

    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.

  2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025

    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.

  3. POWER TRAINNHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024

    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.

  4. EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNHTSA 22V827000Nov 3, 2022

    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.

  5. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 22V617000Aug 11, 2022

    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.

  6. POWER TRAINNHTSA 22V036000Jan 27, 2022

    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.

  7. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 21V739000Sep 23, 2021

    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.

  8. STEERINGNHTSA 21V455000Jun 17, 2021

    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.

    Consequence: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    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.

  9. AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 21V421000Jun 10, 2021

    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.

  10. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V190000Mar 18, 2021

    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.

  11. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 20V811000Dec 23, 2020

    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.

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy

    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.

  12. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 20V790000Dec 17, 2020

    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."

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy

    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.

Used-market value

2021 Cadillac Escalade resale snapshot

57.8%estimated value retained after 5 years
142listings in the model-level benchmark

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2021 Cadillac Escalade on the road

40,504 2021 Cadillac Escalade units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2021 Cadillac Escalade stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade scores below the segment average in reliability, indicating an elevated risk for potential buyers. The concentration of complaints primarily in the engine and power train categories suggests significant concerns in these critical areas. The presence of 12 recalls further underscores the elevated reliability risk associated with this model, reflecting potential deficiencies in initial quality control.

Complaints about the electrical system and seat belts, while less frequent, add to the overall picture of reliability challenges. As the first year of a new generation, these issues may reflect teething problems typically seen in early production runs. Overall, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade presents an elevated reliability risk, making it crucial for buyers to weigh these factors carefully.

What you get in a 2021 Cadillac Escalade report

NMVTIS title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2021 Cadillac Escalade — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade reliable?

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade scores below the segment average in reliability, indicating an elevated risk for potential buyers. The concentration of complaints primarily in the engine and power train categories suggests significant concerns in these critical areas. The presence of 12 recalls further underscores the elevated reliability risk associated with this model, reflecting potential deficiencies in initial quality control.

How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade have?

12 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2021 Cadillac Escalade problems?

The most-reported 2021 Cadillac Escalade problem areas are: Engine (22), Power Train (8), Electrical System (8).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Cadillac Escalade?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Cadillac Escalade, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.