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…
2021 cadillac Escalade ESV powertrain problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
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
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 …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 cadillac Escalade ESV?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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