2021 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
71 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
69,608 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 71 complaints (71.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 10 | 14.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 11.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 51 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Engine: 51; Power Train: 12; Electrical System: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Seat Belts: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2021: 2; 2022: 8; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 34; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11498437 · 2022-12-21 (December 21, 2022)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11498437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11618875 · 2024-10-09 (October 9, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11618875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468075 · 2022-06-07 (June 7, 2022)
Bought one of only 4 available in the entire USA. Flew to Atlanta to drive it back to CA 11 weeks ago. Since then it’s been at dealership 5 times for a total of 9 weeks for an electrical ghost they can’t fix! Cost us over $60,000 in income this month and paying approx $1500 month insurance while it sits there in a workshop with no resolution. Now working with GM and the BBB. Summary below: ISSUE - only at low speeds, idling, or at start up the car suddenly throws on the heater, service lights going off like lights on the Vegas strip of w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498049 · 2022-12-19 (December 19, 2022)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11572391 · 2024-02-16 (February 16, 2024)
I had my 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv vehicle service twice at the dealership of purchase regarding the vehicle gear shifting on its own and dragging. The service advisor said they couldn’t find a problem with the vehicle. He told bring it back if it does it again. [XXX] the problem occurred twice in one day. I thought maybe I had bumped it out of gear inadvertently. I started looking down every time I touched the gear shift to assure it was the correct setting. I booked appointment service via my phone 2/11/24 for [XXX] service. I was at the c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431952 · 2021-09-07 (September 7, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11687877 · 2025-09-17 (September 17, 2025)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11687877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11757312 · 2026-08-16 (August 16, 2026)
Bought vehicle brand new in 2021 took delivery in 2022. Had to have a full transmission replacement and radiator that was cracked replaced at 30,000 miles. Over the next few years have had fuel delivery issues due to fuel pump. This fuel pump was not fixed. As of this year 2026 i've had the vehicle in the shop just shy of every single month. I have had a thermostat sensor that caused the engine fan to go into high RPM causing limp mode on the freeway with a family of 5 in the vehicle. Ive had breaks replaced and not mounted correctly. Additiona…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11757312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712702 · 2026-01-22 (January 22, 2026)
The steering wheel locked up and the car shifted. I was unable to control the steering wheel it caused a crash
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712702 at NHTSA ↗