Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Cadillac Escalade
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 79 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 #25V619000 Replacement Fuel Tank May Leak During a Rollover Crash NHTSA notice
- 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 #21V421000 Air Bag Light May Not Indicate Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V190000 Seat Belts May Become Damaged NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 46 complaints
- Electrical System 10 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 10 complaints
- Power Train 10 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
- Unknown or Other 6 complaints
Of the 79 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 79 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $12,000–$18,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade has a below-average reliability rating due to numerous recalls and complaints, particularly related to engine, fuel, and power train issues. Frequent powertrain problems and potential for high costs in engine repairs overshadow the luxury SUV's appeal.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 30,000–50,000 miles | $2,500–$7,000 | very common |
| fuel pump | 20,000–40,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| transmission | 40,000–60,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| seat belts | 10,000–30,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
| driveshaft | 30,000–50,000 miles | $300–$900 | 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 changes every 7,500 miles
- Tire rotations every 7,500 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant replacement every 5 years
- Air filter replacement every 15,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Sudden engine stalling
- Transmission shifting issues
- Unusual engine noises
- Fuel smell inside the vehicle
- Airbag warning light on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.