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ProblemsByVin Index / 2021-CADILLAC-ESCALADE-ESV / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV owner complaints

61 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 11 complaints shown

36 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/19/2022 ODI #11498049.0

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 received a bad shipment of lifters and that one or more of the lifters had broken. When the vehicle detects an engine problem, it apparently disables most systems in the car. The GMC deal had the car for weeks trying to repair. They told me that Cadillac only authorized replacing 1/2 of the lifters. Since that time, the vehicle has continued to idle very rough ; the RPMs fluctuate and power surges at idle and while driving. I have been attempting to reach the Cadillac customer service people, am routinely told th

12/18/2025 ODI #11706007.0

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 defective, losing oil internally, and is putting 600,000 drivers+ at risk for engine failure or loss of propulsion. The recall has not solved the issue at all and the protocol to declare an engine OK and change the oil is insufficient.

11/24/2025 96,000 mi ODI #11701164.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local service center for routine maintenance and after an oil change was performed, the vehicle was started but immediately shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was 96,000.

10/28/2025 ODI #11696120.0

The connecting rod and crankshaft failed while driving on the interstate causing loss of power.

10/24/2025 15,000 mi ODI #11695412.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

10/08/2025 35,000 mi ODI #11692159.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started to lose power with several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast the vehicle to an independent mechanic with heavy white smoke coming from the vehicle. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who confirmed the engine failure. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not

09/09/2025 ODI #11685884.0

My vehicle has a recall and I took it to the dealer on the 28th of June and this is the date that I still do not have my vehicle. I have a report at Cadillac to replace the engine. The dealer sends all the information to GM Cadillac to authorize the engine replacement since it has metal inside due to the recall and the vehicle is off, it does not start, nobody tells me anything. I am renting another vehicle paying for two vehicles. My situation is very difficult. Cadillac only talks and talks and nothing from Cadillac. It has been 72 days waiting, losing money. Cadillac has not offered me anything, for move nothing

09/07/2021 ODI #11431952.0

At 3,000 miles on this new car, the motor began to rattle, shake, and then heat up to 240-260 degrees when the dashboard flashed and the vehicle and lights turned off. The brakes were not powered and because I was towing a trailer at night, I nearly crashed. My wife and 5 children were in the car with me. I have since learned that there is a major problem with these new Cadillacs, but if I would have know the motor was going to grenade and then turn off the car, I would not have spent $110,000 on this car.

09/02/2025 ODI #11684587.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

08/30/2025 ODI #11684037.0

My 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a complete engine failure at approximately 83,000 miles. I purchased it used at around 23,552 miles. Despite having been properly maintained, the engine failed and GM denied powertrain warranty coverage, stating the warranty had expired. I was forced to pay $7,300 out-of-pocket for a full engine replacement. This was an extremely dangerous mechanical failure, which could have led to serious harm if it occurred at high speed. I am aware of similar engine complaints in other GM vehicles and am requesting that NHTSA investigate this safety-related issue.

08/25/2025 57,000 mi ODI #11682917.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was included, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

11 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/30/2022 ODI #11499497.0

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 light with the foot lightly on the break, the car lunged forward against the break during one of the power surges. If we had been closer to the vehicle in front of us, or if we had been up against a cross walk, there would have been a collision.

10/09/2024 25,000 mi ODI #11618875.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and decelerated before stalling. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.

09/22/2023 ODI #11545963.0

Car lost power all of the sudden Twice Good things did not happen while driving on the high way Has only 30000 mile Still at Cadillac dealer in California They found internal case defect They r replacing it It is fatal defect

09/11/2023 ODI #11543825.0

I drive it from Gilbert Az to San Diego California The car lost power all of sudden Almost killed with my family I left at dealer in California and went back to Gilbert Arizona No diagnosis yet by dealer But I suspect gas pump failure Reported on Internet that Cadillac Recalled some 2021 Escalade For gas pump failure But there is no recall on my car It is now at Simpson GMC Cadillac dealer Buena Park California

electrical 3 complaints shown

10 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/21/2022 33,000 mi ODI #11498437.0

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 diagnosed with needing the electrical system and engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

11/19/2025 71,000 mi ODI #11700416.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel with an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, the check engine warning light illuminated the following day. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk abnormally while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle shut off in the middle of the highway. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

09/17/2025 ODI #11687877.0

Car died in the middle of road. You pump the gas, nothing. This happened twice. Once at about 30000 miles and then at 60000 miles. The dealer had to replace a module or electrical box for fuel pump.

seatbelts 2 complaints shown

09/27/2022 ODI #11486579.0

I have been waiting on the dealers to fix this recall for now 2 months and no solution has been found. I need to list my vehicle on turo website and need this recall to be cleared.

08/29/2022 ODI #11481866.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V617000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.

Showing 300 of 61 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Cadillac/Escalade ESV#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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