2021 Cadillac Escalade engine problems
35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade — 58% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“On 7/14/26, I scheduled Escalade to be serviced at local dealership (MT) when A/C went out on drivers/middle vents and I noticed a faint ticking noise under hood. Was told engine lifters were damaged & needed to be replaced. Service was completed 7/21 and I picked it up that evening. On [XXX] my…”
filed Aug 4, 2026
“Accelerated onto a 4-lane major highway and lost most engine power and many warning lights came on. I lost most vehicle power merging onto a 4 lane highway around other vehicles. I was able to get the car stopped car safely on side of the road and cut off for one minute. There was a noticeable…”
filed Jul 13, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Escalade | 30 | 70% |
| 2023 Escalade | 94 | 76% |
| 2022 Escalade | 55 | 76% |
| 2019 Escalade | 17 | 68% |
| 2018 Escalade | 10 | 48% |
| 2017 Escalade | 22 | 44% |
| 2016 Escalade | 31 | 35% |
| 2015 Escalade | 25 | 26% |
| 2014 Escalade | 3 | 15% |
| 2012 Escalade | 3 | 15% |
| 2010 Escalade | 3 | 8% |
| 2009 Escalade | 9 | 16% |
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.