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 …
2021 cadillac Escalade engine problems
moderate 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
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!
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 …
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 a…
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 d…
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.
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 availabl…
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 …
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that a customer was operating the vehicle through the Turo App when the vehicle lost motive power while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact was unaware whether any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was re…
See attached document for complaint. Text from attached document: Last week [ went to get the oil changed at my local Jiffy Lube and was told, "We can' t service Lhis vehicle any longer because it has been re-called." I asked, "what I am supposed to do? They said Cadiliac is supposed to Lake care of it. After calling Mark Christopher Cadillac in Ontario, Cali fornia they said they can't help me …
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2021 cadillac Escalade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 31 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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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