Reliability
Cadillac

Escalade (5th)

2021-2025 · Full-Size SUV · 4 engines
644 NHTSA Complaints
17 Recalls
3 Fire Reports
17 Crash Reports
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
ESCALADEESCALADE ESVESCALADE IQ
View all 6 generations of the Cadillac Escalade → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

2.4 / 10

Reliability score

Many more owner complaints than similar full-size SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 356 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 56.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall356 complaints against about 56 for similar vehicles
2.4
Last three years336 complaints against about 49 for similar vehicles
2.3
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20213.0
  • 20222.2
  • 20231.9
  • 2024n/a
  • 2025n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine · 2021 to 2024 model years only

6.2L 8-cyl 1.5/10
No clear difference from the 3.0L 6-cyl diesel. (334 complaints, about 162,000 built)
3.0L 6-cyl diesel Not rated
Too few complaints to compare. (8 complaints, about 7,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall25V274
Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine, Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · 29,454 vehicles (14% of those built) · maker's estimate: 3% have the defect
Engineering analysisEA26005
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy · opened 2026, open
Recall queryRQ26001
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy · opened 2026, closed 2026
Engineering analysisEA25007
Loss of motive power due to engine failure · opened 2025, open

Complaints by Engine Code

Show

L87

6.2L 8-cyl
595 complaints 119.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

LM2

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo
17 complaints 4.2 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
12
transmission
4
fuel system
4
other
2
electrical
2

Cadillac Escalade Unidentified Engine

15 complaints 3.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
12
transmission
2
other
1
exterior
1
safety systems
1

LT4

6.2L 8-cyl
12 complaints 4.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
4
engine
4
safety systems
3
brakes
2
other
2
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

XRJ + ETN

5 complaints 5.0 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
2
engine
2
wheels tires
1
interior
1
electrical
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac Escalade, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 509 owner complaints
Transmission: 108 owner complaints
Electrical System: 81 owner complaints
Fuel System: 60 owner complaints
Cooling System: 57 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade

On a used 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (509), the transmission and drivetrain (108) and the electrical system (81). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 509 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade about the engine, all engines combined.
  2. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade about the electrical system.
  4. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  5. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade

Recalls (17)

26V304000May 14, 2026serious
Wheels

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025–2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.

26V085000Feb 13, 2026serious
Powertrain

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.

25V619000Sep 18, 2025serious
Fuel System, Diesel

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.

25V274000Apr 24, 2025serious
Engine & Cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

24V797000Oct 24, 2024serious
Powertrain

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Show 12 older recalls
24V674000Sep 12, 2024serious
Service Brakes

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

23V642000Sep 20, 2023serious
Suspension

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.

22V903000Dec 8, 2022serious
Exterior Lighting

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

22V827000Nov 3, 2022serious
Exterior Lighting

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

22V617000Aug 11, 2022serious
Seat Belts

General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

22V036000Jan 27, 2022serious
Powertrain

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

21V739000Sep 23, 2021serious
Fuel System

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

21V455000Jun 17, 2021serious
Steering

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

21V421000Jun 10, 2021serious
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

21V190000Mar 18, 2021serious
Seat Belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

20V811000Dec 23, 2020serious
Seat Belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

20V790000Dec 17, 2020serious
Electrical System

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles. The front passenger seat belt and airbag status telltale lights located in the overhead console in these vehicles may be set to "night mode" when the vehicle is started using remote start or when the vehicle is turned off and re-started after approximately ten minutes without opening the door. In daytime, if night mode is active, the telltale lights may not be visible, and fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard & Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional

Alternatives in Full-Size SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade complaints?

Owners have filed 644 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade. The systems they name most often are the engine, the transmission and the electrical system.

Is the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 644 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade have?

NHTSA has 644 owner complaints on file for the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade?

NHTSA lists 17 recalls covering some 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac Escalade?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Escalade?

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 644 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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