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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-CADILLAC-ESCALADE-ESVNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Cadillac
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 63 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 63 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 38 complaints, typically surfacing around 75,951 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Cadillac Escalade ESV owner complaints by model year
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
10
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Escalade ESV?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average
10 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 38 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,951 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 25,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 52,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 25,000 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 10 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
Ask anything about your 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 Escalade ESV· powertrain
Ever since the lifters broke in the new vehicle (which the dealer now tells us is a defect in the engine and that the lifters keep breaking; it was not a "bad delivery of lifters" as we were initially told), the car idles very rough and has power surges. Today sitting at a red…
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while her husband was driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was…
Back in August of 2022 my 2021 Cadillac Escalade started having severe engine roughness, a check engine light, and an error saying that most of the collision safety features had been disabled. I was able to limp the vehicle into a GMC dealer who informed me that Cadillac had…
Since April 2025, my 2021 escalade has been losing oil quickly. No leak externally has been found. The recent recall found "no engine problems" and placed new thicker oil, but the leak continues with us losing significant amounts of oil every 500 miles. This engine remains…
Had a problem with your 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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 for this recall is N252494000.
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
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. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 10 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 38 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,951 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 63 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 75,951 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 38 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,951 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 75,951 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac Escalade ESV has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 63 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Cadillac/Escalade ESV.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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