2021 Cadillac Escalade Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 11, 2026 · Filed: October 28, 2026

I own a 2021 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury with approximately 47,000 miles. On Oct 11, 2026, after stopping for gas, I noticed shortly after driving away that my entire digital instrument cluster was black. I had no speedometer, fuel gauge, mileage display, or dashboard warning indicators, although the center infotainment screen worked. I do not know whether the display went black when I restarted the vehicle or while driving; I discovered it while driving. The display worked again after I shut off and restarted the vehicle after a few hours. I scheduled an appointment with Cadillac of Calabasas on Oct 11, but the earliest available appointment was Oct 21, 10 days later. Around Oct 13, my vehicle also displayed a “Service Driver Assist System” warning, which returned on Oct 22. When I brought my vehicle to Cadillac of Calabasas on Oct 20 (trying to drop off a day early), the advisor checked for open recalls and said there were none. He incorrectly stated my warranty expired in July 2025; Cadillac corporate later confirmed my CPO warranty expired July 11, 2026. I was told the dealership was backed up at least another week and everything would be paid out of pocket. No diagnosis or repair was completed as I could not leave my car for a week. Despite multiple contacts with Cadillac Customer Assistance (case 116067222), these problems remain unresolved. I have photographs and video documenting the instrument cluster blackout and driver-assistance warning and can provide them upon request. I am concerned about losing critical driving information and the reliability of my vehicle’s driver-assistance systems. I am requesting NHTSA investigate these potential safety defects.

Incident: October 16, 2026 · Filed: October 17, 2026

There is internal engine failure. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety as well as others were at risk when the engine started to fail, without warning, causing my car to jolt and briefly lose control of steering. If complete engine failure happened while driving, I would not have control over my car. My life and other's lives would severely be at risk. Car has been inspected and confirmed engine failure. Car is unable to be driven as we do not want to put anyone else at risk or make the problem worse. Car will be towed on Monday. There was absolutely no warning of this occurring. The symptoms first appeared while driving and the incident happened shortly after. There was a loud noise followed by my car being jerked traffic. I immediately pulled over until I could get my car safely home. When inspected the car was ticking with brief knocking noises. The ticking continued while the knocking noise became more abrupt and frequent.

Incident: October 13, 2026 · Filed: October 16, 2026

After soft-close, left-side passenger door won't open. Not form the outside, not from the inside. Happened before about a year ago. logged into dealer system but the were unable to identify (and correct) the issue. This presents a big hazard in case of an accident, roll-over etc - unable to exit the vehicle swiftly.

Incident: October 15, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

While driving in a heavy rainstorm on October 15, 2026, the vehicle hydroplaned and every brake warning light came on at once, and the dashboard displayed a message that the brake system had failed and the brakes did not work. I believed I had no brakes while crossing a river bridge and thought I was going to die. The brakes actually worked and I got home, but a vehicle should never tell a driver its brakes have failed when they have not, especially in an emergency. All brake warning lights stayed on after I parked. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this failure.

Incident: September 6, 2026 · Filed: October 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle completely stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the Stability, Parking, and Collision warning lights were illuminated alongside several other unknown alerts. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where two failed lifters were initially replaced. However, due to an abnormal sound, the vehicle was returned to the dealer, where the engine was replaced with a remanufactured engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 67,300.

Incident: October 8, 2026 · Filed: October 9, 2026

Started car and all of sudden shaking, loss of power, flashing engine light and punch of flashing warnings. The car is being towed to cadillac dealer!

Incident: March 20, 2026 · Filed: October 6, 2026

With just over four years of service, backup camera driver assistance system began to fail, with it working intermittently and eventually going completely dark. This being a safety feature, the warranty ought to cover it but manufacturer argues not. We understand many other Cadillacs have the same problem.

Incident: August 16, 2026 · Filed: September 20, 2026

On Saturday August 16, 2026, my family and I were in Laredo Texas and when we were driving on the freeway the motor blew out on my 2021 Cadillac escalade. One month before this occurred the dealership contacted me to replace the oil to a thicker oil because my trucks vin was on the recall and replacing the oil would help fix the issue. Replacing the oil did not fix this issue.

Incident: September 3, 2026 · Filed: September 15, 2026

There was knocking and stalling happening. I looked up the issue and saw that there was a recall on all 2021 Cadillac escalades with my exact engine. Unfortunately my vin did fall in the recall but I have the same issues and now my car has been at the service station for almost 2 weeks trying to figure this out and get the situation taken care of.

Incident: September 4, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

The same exact engine make and model was recalled and mine didnt fall under it but I am having the same exact issues. And now my car is in the shop and im having to pay an outlandish amount of money to get my car fixed from a known recall on my exact vehicle and engine.