2021 Cadillac Escalade engine problems
42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade — 59% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Sep 15, 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.”
filed Sep 11, 2026
“The engine started clicking and rumbling out of no where. I have done every maintenance protocol since buying and was told there was a recall on all of these engines. Somehow mine is not covered in the recall?”
filed Sep 9, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that…Campaign 25V274000 · Apr 24, 2025
Engine problems in other Escalade years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escalade | 30 | 97% |
| 2025 Escalade | 12 | 60% |
| 2024 Escalade | 33 | 70% |
| 2023 Escalade | 104 | 77% |
| 2022 Escalade | 64 | 78% |
| 2019 Escalade | 17 | 68% |
| 2018 Escalade | 10 | 48% |
| 2017 Escalade | 22 | 43% |
| 2016 Escalade | 31 | 35% |
| 2015 Escalade | 27 | 28% |
| 2014 Escalade | 3 | 15% |
| 2012 Escalade | 3 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.