2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV: recalls and complaints

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• 25V27400024 Apr 2025Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
• 24V79700024 Oct 2024Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Fluid/Lubricant / Valves/Valve Body
• 22V8270003 Nov 2022Exterior Lighting / Lighting Control Module / Software
• 22V61700011 Aug 2022Seat Belts / Critical Fasteners
• 22V03600027 Jan 2022Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft
• 21V73900023 Sep 2021Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump / Control/Drive Module
• 21V45500017 Jun 2021Steering / Steering Control Module
• 21V42100010 Jun 2021Air Bags / Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light
• 21V19000018 Mar 2021Seat Belts / Rear/Other
• 20V81100023 Dec 2020Seat Belts / Critical Fasteners

1. 25V274000Received 24 Apr 2025. 597,571 units.

   Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N252494000. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Jun 2025.

2. 24V797000Received 24 Oct 2024. 463,295 units.

   Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Fluid/Lubricant / Valves/Valve Body

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N242454440. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Dec 2024.

3. 22V827000Received 3 Nov 2022. 338,735 units.

   Exterior Lighting / Lighting Control Module / Software

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N222382220. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Dec 2022.

4. 22V617000Received 11 Aug 2022. 484,155 units.

   Seat Belts / Critical Fasteners

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 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 N222372380.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N222372380. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Nov 2022.

5. 22V036000Received 27 Jan 2022. 1,789 units.

   Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N212351030. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Mar 2022.

6. 21V739000Received 23 Sep 2021. 14,939 units.

   Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump / Control/Drive Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N212332040. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Oct 2021.

7. 21V455000Received 17 Jun 2021. 26,847 units.

   Steering / Steering Control Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N212333900. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 13 Jul 2021.

8. 21V421000Received 10 Jun 2021. 285,622 units.

   Air Bags / Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N212338110. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Jul 2021.

9. 21V190000Received 18 Mar 2021. 94,641 units.

   Seat Belts / Rear/Other

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N202313000. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Apr 2021.

10. 20V811000Received 23 Dec 2020. 470 units.

    Seat Belts / Critical Fasteners

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

    Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N202322230. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Jan 2021.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• All 2021 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 13.

Complaints that report a crash

2

Complaints that report a fire

0

Injuries in the complaints

3

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

30 Aug 2026

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 20031
2. 20041
3. 20051
4. 20061
5. 20074
6. 20084
7. 20095
8. 20103
9. 20115
10. 20123
11. 20134
12. 20142
13. 20156
14. 20163
15. 20171
16. 20181
17. 20191
18. 20202
19. 202110
20. 20224
21. 20234
22. 20242
23. 20251
24. 20263

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Cadillac Escalade ESV: all model years
• Cadillac: 37 model lines

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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
• NHTSA page of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESVThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

2,308,064 units in 10 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Cadillac Escalade ESV have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns for the Cadillac Escalade ESV, model years 2003 to 2026. 10 of them name the 2021 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV name most often?

Engine: 51 of 102 component mentions, or 500 per 1,000. For all 2021 vehicles the figure is 137.9 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV open?

2 investigations have no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 5 that name this model year.