Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 74 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V274000 Engine Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V797000 Rear Wheel Lock-Up from Transmission Valve Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V827000 Running Lights May Not Deactivate/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V617000 Improper Rivets on Seat Belt Buckle Assembly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V036000 Rear Wheel Driveshaft Assemblies May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V739000 Power Control Module May Cause Fuel Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V455000 Loss of Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V421000 Air Bag Light May Not Indicate Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V190000 Seat Belts May Become Damaged NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V811000 Incorrect Bolts Used To Attach Seat Belts NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 54 complaints
- Power Train 12 complaints
- Electrical System 11 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 7 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints
- Service Brakes 4 complaints
Of the 74 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 74 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $11,000–$16,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV has a concerning number of recalls focusing on critical components like the engine and powertrain. Numerous NHTSA recalls highlight engine defects, transmission software errors, and steering problems. Owner complaints further underscore engine and powertrain issues, indicating a higher cost of ownership due to potential failures.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 40,000–80,000 miles | $4,000–$8,000 | very common |
| transmission | 30,000–60,000 miles | $2,500–$5,000 | common |
| fuel pump | 30,000–70,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | common |
| steering module | 35,000–65,000 miles | $900–$1,800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 7,500 miles
- Brake pads replacement every 30,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 50,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine warning lights on
- Unusual noises from transmission
- Steering difficulty
- Unstable idle
- Fuel delivery issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.