Takata recall Cadillac dealers in the la area are saying they do not have parts to replace airbags. It has been almost a year and a half! When I called gm they say the airbag is fine and it is only a preliminary recall and does not need to be replaced and so they are not supplying the dealers with the parts. Yes my vehicle is on the recall list!
2011 Cadillac Escalade airbags problems
moderate 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
42
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 42 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 65% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 42 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2011 Cadillac Escalades with Takata passenger airbag inflators faced a years-long recall with no available parts or remedy from GM, leaving owners unable to fix a known safety defect. Check with GM or a dealer for current remedy status before buying; this specific issue may still be unresolved.
GM issued a May 2016 recall (16V381) for Takata front passenger airbag inflators in 2011 Cadillac Escalades after Takata identified that the propellant can degrade over time, especially in hot and humid regions. Degraded propellant can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, creating a safety risk.
Owners consistently report that replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods—many state 1.5 to 2+ years after the recall notice. Dealers and GM repeatedly told owners parts weren't in stock and no timeline existed for repair. One owner documented visits to their dealer every 4 to 6 months over nearly 2 years with the same answer: no parts, no fix date.
GM's response was contradictory. The company filed a petition claiming the vehicles were safe to drive despite the recall, and later claimed that third-party testing deemed the vehicles safe and therefore did not supply dealers with replacement parts. Meanwhile, NHTSA kept the recall status listed as "incomplete" and "remedy not yet available." One service airbag warning light illuminated on at least one vehicle (at 127,000 miles), though no actual airbag deployment failures appear in these narratives.
Owners expressed frustration at being unable to remedy a known defect, with several stating they felt unsafe driving highway speeds and families questioning the logic of an unsafe-deemed vehicle they could not fix.
Same Cadillac Escalade airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Passenger Airbag Inflator Defect (Front Passenger Side)
Takata-supplied front passenger airbag inflators with propellant that degrades over time, especially in hot and humid climates. Degraded propellant can cause inflators to rupture during deployment, risking serious or fatal injury.
When: Recall issued May 27, 2016 (NHTSA 16V381); affects 2007-2011 model years; mileage not specified in most complaints; one reported at 127,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illumination; No actual deployment failures reported in any narrative
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V381000, NHTSA Campaign 16V383000, NHTSA Campaign 21V050000, GM Recall 2049151
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement inflator required; repair parts were unavailable for years after recall issuance. One narrative (#6) notes vehicle was eventually repaired; most others document persistent parts unavailability lasting 1.5 to 2+ years.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM filed petition for inconsequentiality with NHTSA in 2016; claimed vehicles were safe to drive despite recall status. Parts unavailability persisted through at least 2017-2018 based on narrative dates. GM advised waiting for NHTSA decision; later some narratives indicate GM claimed additional third-party testing deemed vehicles safe and did not supply dealers with replacement parts.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Cadillac escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Takata recall letter received from gm Cadillac nearly 2 (or 2+) years ago. Have been to tom peacock dealership that I purchased the vehicle from every 4-6 months since then. Told every time that they can't help, they don't know when replacements bags will be in. I purchased my vehicle from gm Cadillac - not takata. I want gm Cadillac to replace these defective air bags immediately.
I contacted my dealer when I got the original recall notice several months ago. At the time they told me that they did not have a solution to switch out the airbags. I received the card from tk holdings this week. I have again contacted my dealer today to be told that they, sewell Cadillac of houston, do not have a fix yet or replacement bags from gm. I am scared to drive this vehicle since the…
Takata recall issued 5/2016by mail to my house. NHTSA#: 16v381 recall 49151. Called hoehn Buick Cadillac in carlsbad, ca. Replied that gm hadn't sent out partsyet. Called again & went to dealer on 11/21/2016 & finally 9/19/2017. Same story. Spoke to gm vince love. Vince love.
Takata airbag inflators recall
Takata recall gm recall #: 2049151 NHTSA # 16v381 date issued: may 27, 2016 recall title: passenger airbag inflators recall description: takata corporation ('takata') has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2007-2011 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, suburban, tahoe, GMC sierra…
Tamara recall
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Devoe Cadillac (4100 tamiami trail n, naples, fl 34103, (239) 298-7627) was contacted and confirmed…
Takata recall - remedy not yet available
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Cadillac Escalade?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Cadillac Escalade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 42 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 102,523 and 133,000 miles, with the median around 110,598. A quarter of owners report trouble before 102,523; a quarter make it past 133,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Cadillac/Escalade.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.