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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

100,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues17.7%

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.

Air Bags
5
Electrical System
2
Equipment
2
Seats
2
Structure:Body:Door
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
Structure:Body
1
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags5
Electrical System2
Equipment2
Seats2
Structure:Body:Door2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Structure:Body1
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate1

Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 2; Equipment: 2; Seats: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 8 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.

2011
2
2012
1
2016
1
2017
5
2018
1
2019
2
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20112
20121
20161
20175
20181
20192
20241

2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10397260 · 2011-04-24 (April 24, 2011)

2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SON WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AT AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIMS WHEN A POWER REAR CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND FACE WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS DOOR WAS CLOSING. THE DOOR IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY AS IT COMES DOWNS IT'S FAST AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK UP WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING. THE DRIVER HAD NO WARNING THAT A PERSON WAS BEHIND HIM AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD KILL SOMEONE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THIS DOOR SHOULD BE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10397260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10397261 · 2011-04-24 (April 24, 2011)

2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SON WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AT AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIMS WHEN A POWER REAR CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND FACE WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS DOOR WAS CLOSING. THE DOOR IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY. IT COMES DOWNS TO FAST AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK UP WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING. THE DRIVER HAD NO WARNING THAT A PERSON WAS BEHIND HIM AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL KILL SOMEONE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10397261 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10473770 · 2012-09-04 (September 4, 2012)

THE REAR HATCH WAS OPENED WITH THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON, IT RAISED TO THE OPEN POSITION. AS I WAS PUTTING IN OUR STROLLER THE HATCH FELL AND STRUCK ME IN THE HEAD. I PUSHED THE HATCH UP TO GET FROM UNDERNEATH IT, AND WHEN I LET GO IT FELL WITH NO RESISTANCE. WHILE FALLING SHUT THE HATCH HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BUMPER CUT OUT AND SLIGHTLY BENT THE HATCH AND SCRATCHED THE INSIDE OF THE BUMPER. THE HATCH WOULD NO-LONGER OPEN AFTER THAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FORCED THE DOOR OPEN SO I COULD RETRIEVE ARTICLES FROM THE REAR. I A …

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10473770 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10903503 · 2016-09-04 (September 4, 2016)

TAKATA RECALL GM SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE THOUGH I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. I HAVE FOUR DAUGHTERS AGES 4 TO 10 YEARS OLD. THEIR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO ME. ACCORDING TO GM I HAVE BEEN ADVISE NOT TO TAKE ACTION. AND I WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART BECOMES AVALIABLE IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10903503 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10943695 · 2017-01-08 (January 8, 2017)

CONNECTOR TO SEAT CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT SHORTED OUT AND MELTED WITHOUT FUSE INTERRUPTION. MELTED CONNECTOR FOUND WHEN HEATED SEAT FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING. SEVERAL VEHICLE FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS DESCRIBE SAME EXPERIENCE AND POTENTIAL "FIXES". OTHERS REPORT THIS OVERHEATING IS INITIATED DURING REMOTE STARTING. GM SHOULD RESOLVE THIS CONNECTOR DESIGN PROBLEM AND REPAIR EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10943695 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10945254 · 2017-01-14 (January 14, 2017)

TAKATA RECALL .I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS TRAVELING VEHICLE SO IT WOULD NORMALLY BE ON HIGHWAYS AT OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR. QUESTION WOULD I BE SAFER TO HAVE THIS DISCONNECTED? WHO COULD DO THIS. I LIKE MOST PEOPLE CAN NOT AFFORD TO TRADE VEHICLES AND REALLY WOULD RATHER NOT. NOW THE CASE IS SETTLED WIT TAKATA. THAT'S JUST GREAT BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IF I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED CAN I GET REIMBURSED AT SOME POINT. .NOW THE CASE IS SETTLED I EXPECT SOME MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO SUPPLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE. WHAT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10945254 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10957995 · 2017-03-02 (March 2, 2017)

TAKATA RECALL I HAD MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH TWO OF THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERS TO GET THE RECALL SOLVED BUT CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME RESPONSE; "THE RECALL ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE!" AS OF YET, THERE HAS BEEN NO CONTACT MADE BY ANY OF THE DEALERS ON GETTING THE MATTER RESOLVED AND INSTEAD SOME OF THE SALES DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE MAKING OFFERS FOR ME TO TRADE IN OR SALE THEM OUR VEHICLE. WE AVERAGE OVER 20,000 MILES A YEAR TRAVELING AS A FAMILY AND MY FEAR AND CONCERN ARE THAT ONE DAY OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY MAY BE PLACED IN JEOPARDY D…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10957995 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11043952 · 2017-11-06 (November 6, 2017)

TAKATA RECALL ISSUED 5/2016BY MAIL TO MY HOUSE. NHTSA#: 16V381 RECALL 49151. CALLED HOEHN BUICK CADILLAC IN CARLSBAD, CA. REPLIED THAT GM HADN'T SENT OUT PARTSYET. CALLED AGAIN & WENT TO DEALER ON 11/21/2016 & FINALLY 9/19/2017. SAME STORY. SPOKE TO GM VINCE LOVE. VINCE LOVE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11043952 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

11V007000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Spindle

Reported: 2011-01-06 (January 6, 2011)

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
11V339000 · Steering:Linkages

Reported: 2011-06-28 (June 28, 2011)

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V827000 · Electrical System:Ignition

Reported: 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V050000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

NHTSA campaign record ↗