Cadillac Escalade ESV Complaints (2021)

69 consumer complaints on file.

#11667134June 16, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power and was pulled over, turned off, and then restarted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663409May 28, 2025
ENGINE
City and highway driving, lost power on acceleration. Engine started knocking. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Through a piston. This vehicle had all the described issues of 6.2 liter V8 2021 cadillac escalade ESV, but I have not received a recall. This vehicle has been out of service since April 2025 and no recall and no replacement parts (new engine)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662452May 21, 2025
ENGINE
GM has a coolant control valve issue that impacts all Escalades and Suburban vehicles. Vehicle will maintain speed as a result of issue. This is a huge safety issue. All of a sudden the car drops to 45mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658128May 1, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657956April 30, 2025
ENGINE
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine failure while it was being driven, according to the renter who had it through Turo. It broke down and stalled at a stoplight. I then had it towed to a Cadillac dealership in Cocoa Beach. After inspection, the dealership informed me that the engine had seized and provided a replacement estimate of over $16,000. Because of the high cost, I chose to take the vehicle to a reputable local repair shop (Fastlane Automotive). They quoted me a lower price of approximately $11,000. The engine is currently on order but is backordered at the moment and its currently parked up there. I firmly believe this engine failure is connected to an active recall affecting this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657544April 29, 2025
ENGINE
My 2021 Cadillac Escalade experienced a sudden engine failure due to the L87 “Loss of Propulsion” recall. The vehicle has been undrivable since February 25, 2025, and has been at the dealership (Ocean Cadillac in Miami, FL) for over two months with no completed repair and no timeline for resolution. Despite repeated communication, GM and the dealership have failed to provide a loaner vehicle or reimbursement for transportation, even though this is a known safety-related recall issue. The extended downtime has caused significant business losses, disrupted transportation, and left me without safe vehicle access. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance to ensure GM complies with their recall obligations and resolves this matter immediately. I am also concerned about ongoing unresolved vehicle quality issues reported during warranty service visits, but my primary safety concern relates to the engine recall and loss of propulsion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653621April 9, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle Purchased: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] •Engine Failure – Catastrophic Engine Failure •Yes, the unit is available for inspection at North County Cadillac - Escondido, CA. •Yes, safety for my family and others was put at risk – Unit stalled in the middle lane of [XXX] at 65mph with heavy traffic. •Catastrophic Engine Failure confirmed by North County Cadillac. •Yes, it was inspected by North County Cadillac and the engine is being replaced with new one under warranty. •There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms, unit just turned off and went into neutral by itself. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653082April 7, 2025
ENGINE
I get oil changed regularly. For the last several thousands of miles, I keep getting low engine oil warning approximately 2,000 miles before an oil change is due. When I go to add more oil, there barely any oil showing on the dip stick and when I open the cap to add more oil, there's smoke coming out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651064March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Engine completely seized on [XXX] pulling a trailer and boat. Vehicle was equipped to pull weight. Was stranded with 4 kids with very little cell service for over six hours. Had to tow to nearest dealership (Prescott, az), and had to get a separate towing company to tow our boat to flagstaff, az (40 minutes away). The next business day it was found that something went wrong with the pistons which cussed the entire engine to seize and needed one replaced. I was just outside the manufacturer warranty, and was told it wouldn’t be covered by gm. I was initially quoted almost $20,000 for the new engine but Cadillac did offer a “good faith” repair. I still had to over $6000 to fix the issue and get it running again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648642March 17, 2025
ENGINE
Was driving down [XXX] in Arizona when lost engine power pulled over and had towed to dealership. The engine needs replacement it has lifter problems the dealer said. Thankfully nobody was hurt but very scary. Car will need to be at dealer for months engine is on backorder. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639743January 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle has stalled twice while I was at a stop sign and/or red light. It says there are no recalls for my Vehicle but I feel it may be a problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637889January 23, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine breakdown in middle of the road. Lifter valves failed and had to be taken in for complete Engine repair/replacement. Dealership is currently repairing. Vehicle is available to inspect after repair if requested. Lifter valves Engine failure confirmed by dealership. Safety was serious concern as Engine failed in middle road with family in vehicle during heavy traffic. Could have lost control of vehicle as Engine went haywire. 45,997 miles. No warnings signs before complete failure. Just completed a road trip day prior with no issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637330January 21, 2025
ENGINE
Car full of kids, going down the expressway in the fast lane the car completely shuts off with no warning. I had to merge four lanes to get to the side of the road and my kids and I could have been in huge trouble if I didn’t remain calm. Once parked the car would not go back into neutral and the town truck had to drag our car with brand new tires onto the truck. I’m livid. The dealership Al Serra Grand Blanc MI confirmed it was the motor and they are now on back order. It’s been there a month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618875October 9, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and decelerated before stalling. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607399August 8, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My cameras are not working properly and have stopped working completely, I have seen online that theses car have problems like this and have recalls and my car has the same problem now but it’s says it’s not under a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572391February 16, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I had my 2021 Cadillac Escalade esv vehicle service twice at the dealership of purchase regarding the vehicle gear shifting on its own and dragging. The service advisor said they couldn’t find a problem with the vehicle. He told bring it back if it does it again. [XXX] the problem occurred twice in one day. I thought maybe I had bumped it out of gear inadvertently. I started looking down every time I touched the gear shift to assure it was the correct setting. I booked appointment service via my phone 2/11/24 for [XXX] service. I was at the car wash drive thru [XXX] my vehicle was in neutral coming off the conveyor belt. As I attempted to pressed the shift toggle to change gear my vehicle made a weird noise . I never got the chance to shift to drive. Grinding pulling noise like it was stuck. My vehicle shot forward like something catapulted. My vehicle hit another vehicle before hitting a wall. My air front air bag never deployed. The collision avoidance did not engage or signal. I don’t understand how a vehicle can shift it self in and out of gear on its own. If I’m doing 25 mile the vehicle shouldn’t make rpm act like I’m doing 100. Also if I’m doing 70 mile the vehicle should not shift down while pressing the gas pedal. Had they listened to me and took what I was saying seriously this would have never happened. Accident location Harperwoods MI [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11545963September 22, 2023
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Car lost power all of the sudden Twice Good things did not happen while driving on the high way Has only 30000 mile Still at Cadillac dealer in California They found internal case defect They r replacing it It is fatal defect
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543825September 11, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I drive it from Gilbert Az to San Diego California The car lost power all of sudden Almost killed with my family I left at dealer in California and went back to Gilbert Arizona No diagnosis yet by dealer But I suspect gas pump failure Reported on Internet that Cadillac Recalled some 2021 Escalade For gas pump failure But there is no recall on my car It is now at Simpson GMC Cadillac dealer Buena Park California
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503552January 25, 2023
ENGINE
2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO POWERTRAIN FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN FOR REPAIR WITH NO ETA ON NEEDED PART DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499497December 30, 2022
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
Ever since the lifters broke in the new vehicle (which the dealer now tells us is a defect in the engine and that the lifters keep breaking; it was not a "bad delivery of lifters" as we were initially told), the car idles very rough and has power surges. Today sitting at a red light with the foot lightly on the break, the car lunged forward against the break during one of the power surges. If we had been closer to the vehicle in front of us, or if we had been up against a cross walk, there would have been a collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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