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

2021 Cadillac Escalade owner complaints

86 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 9 complaints shown

42 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/05/2022 ODI #11496037.0

Friday evening I was left stranded on the side of the road in my 2021 Cadillac Escalade with less than 30k miles that I actually purchased brand brand new about a year or so ago. The vehicle slowed to a crawl in the fast Lane of I65 as cars and semis whipped past me as I attempted to use any last moment to get the shoulder. I finally get to the shoulder and contact Cadillac customer service to get a tow who after approximately 2 hours of supposedly searching for tow technical they come back and tell me they can't find someone to accept the contract. When I say that that is unacceptable I guess they expand the search and come back and tell me that a tow truck that is 2 hours away is coming. At that exact time I got on google myself myself and found a tow truck that got to me in 15 minu

11/11/2025 ODI #11698687.0

General Motors issued a recall on various 2021-2024 Tahoes and Escalades with 6.2L V8 engines. Since issuing the recall, they have given no information and my Escalade has been sitting at the dealership for months with not ETA of the engine and parts needed ti fix the vehicle. GM is dragging this out slow and methodically!

11/07/2025 ODI #11698168.0

Complete engine failure with vehicle only having 79615 miles on the vehicle. Vehicle was inspected by authorized Cadillac dealership and it was determined that the crank shaft/connecting rod had failed causing the engine to be replaced. Dealership communicated that issue was consistent with issue with known GM recall however vehicle was not covered under current recalled vin numbers at the time of engine failure.

10/28/2025 ODI #11695997.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was later examined by a mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 113,000.

10/27/2025 ODI #11695751.0

See attached document for complaint. IN RE: GM Recall N252494000 I received notice in May of 2025 that my 2021 Cadillac Escalade is involved in a recall. At first my dealer said the part to repair is not available? Then in September we stopped by my dealer and he said the recall does NOT involve my Cadillac. So I will attach a copy of my notice so there is no question they notified me I have a defective Cadillac. Please someone tell me Why this happened? I want a different automobile!!! By the way I find it very interesting that Regina A. Carto,, Vice President of Global Product Safety and Systems FAILS TO PROVIDE HER ADDRESS?

10/08/2025 ODI #11692012.0

I have been waiting for GM to send authorization for the dealer to inspect and remedy the engine, as per the open recall, but have heard nothing since May 2025, when GM stated parts were not available.

09/10/2025 ODI #11686358.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Prior to the letter being received, the message "Engine Oil Low" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the issue was with the engine. However, the part to do the repair was not available. The dealer topped off the engine oil. The contact stated that the messages remained displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the engine was tested. The engine passed inspection, and a higher viscosity oil was added, and 6 oil fill caps were installed. The contact stated that the messages persisted, and the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact received

09/09/2026 ODI #11763125.0

The engine started clicking and rumbling out of no where. I have done every maintenance protocol since buying and was told there was a recall on all of these engines. Somehow mine is not covered in the recall?

09/08/2025 ODI #11685658.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about parts availability. The contact had not experienced a failure.

other 4 complaints shown

12/18/2024 ODI #11631413.0

Driving on a clear sunny day with the cruise control set at 65 mph. With no cars either in front of me or either side my Escalade suddenly did a total panic stop almost causing a crash. While this was happening there was no throttle response and I was unable to gain control of the car My Escalade is in perfect condition, kept immaculately and has only 17,000 miles on it. Taking it to the dealer resulted in no issues found. If I was on an interstate with a tractor Trailer behind me this could have a caused a major accident.

12/17/2020 ODI #11383896.0

Service driver assist system alert while driving dealer is consulting with Cadillac engineering, but can't figure how to fix, because no code appears - even thought the warning still appears

10/04/2024 ODI #11618026.0

Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally address the serious issues surrounding my 2021 Cadillac Escalade, VIN [XXX] [XXX] , which have been exacerbated by misleading communications and inaction from Lindsay Cadillac in Alexandria, VA. This situation has led to significant inconvenience and financial strain. On September 4, 2024, the vehicle was delivered to your dealership due to water leakage causing mold damage between the “B” and “C” pillars. Upon arrival, we were erroneously informed that the warranty had expired. It was not until September 15, 2024, after correcting this with Service Consultant Donna Wozniak, that it was acknowledged the warranty is valid through 2025. Despite clear signs of warranty-covered issues, the explanations provided by staff, suggesting the damage could be

09/07/2026 ODI #11762608.0

My vehicle died in the middle of an intersection, I was stranded in the intersection, I could not put it in neutral to move it out of the way. Luckily I was in town and not on the freeway. That is my issue. My cadi had to be dragged onto a tow truck bed and dropped at my local gm dealer in wabash. The reason it died was the fuel module. But not being able to move my vehicle out of the way is so very dangerous.

powertrain 2 complaints shown

10 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
11/08/2023 ODI #11554219.0

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the message "Service Transmission Now - Unable to Shift Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

08/28/2026 ODI #11760281.0

My car has 79k miles and it just went in for a new transmission. I was out of town and the transmission went out along with starter

electrical 2 complaints shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
10/26/2021 ODI #11438218.0

5/19/2021, Engine Vibrating, vehicle stall, 3 days repair. Ignition wiring bad/ replaced 5/28/2021, Engine Vibrating, Vehicle stop running, 3 day repair/electric module burn/temporary repair by Georgia car dealer. 6/3/2021 taken to NY dealer to repair 5/28/2021 problems, 15 Day to repair. 10/12/2021 Engine vibrating, passenger compartment filled with smoke, valve lifter crack, vehicle parked on dealers parking lot for 15 day, has not been repair. Vehicle has spent 35 total days in car dealers for different engine problems. On all occasions dashboard has gong haywire. Emergency brake lock, passenger door would not open 10/12/2021. Contacted GMC has not responded.

10/22/2024 ODI #11621174.0

1) The car suddenly brakes as to avoid a collision when there are no cars in the proximity of the vehicle (think about driving on an open road on a sunny day and the vehicle suddenly brakes without warning). 2) We have received notice of low oil shortly after oil changes which have been performed at the dealership. It has been communicated to us by the dealership that it is common for these vehicles to burn approximately four (4) quarts of oil over the course of 2,500 – 3,000 miles leaving approximately two (2) quarts of oil remaining. Required tow to the dealership. 3) We have received rear axle warning messages and heard beeping noises alerting of such on at least thirty (30) occasions. The dealer has not been able to diagnose what the issue is and says that the computer is not storing

lighting 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
11/19/2021 ODI #11441002.0

2021 Cadillac escalade. Consumer stated that the tail lights on the vehicle were intensely bright.

seatbelts 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · severe · avg repair $500 · see seatbelts cluster analysis →
09/22/2025 ODI #11688796.0

Engine failure Driver side seat belt light on dashboard.

steering 1 complaint shown

09/09/2026 Crash ODI #11763233.0

My husband and I were on the toll when the steering wheel completely unattached.

Showing 300 of 86 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Cadillac/Escalade#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-09-13. 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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