Cadillac

Escalade (5th)

2021-2025 · Full-Size SUV ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.2)
478 NHTSA Complaints
13 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
16 Crash Reports
Includes data from: ESCALADEESCALADE ESVESCALADE IQ
View all 4 generations of the Cadillac Escalade → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

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

Engine Reliability Ratings

LM2

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo
โœ… Recommended (4.2)
12 complaints 3.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
8
electrical
2
brakes
1
safety systems
1
exterior
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (8 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

L87

6.2L 8-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.2)
449 complaints 87.8 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
352
transmission
70
electrical
63
cooling
48
fuel system
40

Known Issues

Engine Issues (352 complaints)
Typical onset: 19,000โ€“50,000 mi Est. repair: $144โ€“$9,750 (15 reports)
Transmission Issues (70 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (63 complaints)

2 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Cadillac Escalade regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (361 complaints)
engine critical
Transmission Issues (70 complaints)
transmission serious
Electrical System Issues (66 complaints)
electrical serious
Cooling System Issues (48 complaints)
cooling serious
Fuel System Issues (40 complaints)
fuel_system serious

Recalls (13)

26V085000Feb 12, 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.

25V274000Apr 23, 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.

25V619000Sep 17, 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.

24V797000Oct 23, 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.

24V674000Dec 8, 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 19, 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.

22V036000Jan 26, 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.

22V617000Nov 7, 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.

22V903000Aug 11, 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."

22V827000Mar 10, 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."

21V739000Sep 22, 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.

21V190000Mar 17, 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.

21V421000Oct 5, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade has accumulated 478 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Cadillac Escalade engine is most reliable?

The 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 6.2L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

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

The 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 478 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

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

The 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade has 478 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade?

There are 13 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2021-2025 Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac Escalade?

Before buying a used Cadillac Escalade, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 478 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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