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2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems

61 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, which is 58% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
61 58% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
70,000 miles 11 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 70,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 1 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 3 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 1 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 2 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 2 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 1 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 70,000 miles
Based on 11 complaints that include mileage. 45% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles1
20k to 40k miles3
40k to 60k miles1
60k to 80k miles2
80k to 100k miles2
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles1
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 11 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 70,000 miles, and 45% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 injury.

What owners wrote

My vehicle comes to an abrupt stop while driving or when I’m pulling off at an intersection. This has happened on 4 different occasions in which I’ve injured my knee due to the vehicle stopping at random while I’m driving or pulling off. I’ve stated this to Cadillac of Memphis and to Landers GMC. The first time I happened I hit my knee by the control panel on the driver side. I’m in a brace because my patellar tendon are inflamed and as well my hoffas fat pad due to the impact.

August 2025 Injury

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.

Reported at 57,000 miles, August 2025

Engine problems in other years

  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003

Engine problems across all Cadillac models