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Cadillac Escalade ESVModel year report

2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
100,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by body and structure (4) and electrical system (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 1,433 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 58 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall GM says vehicle is safe to drive. I don't feel safe in the vehicle though I have no other options. I have four daughters ages 4 to 10 years old. Their safety is paramount to me. According to GM I have been advise not to take action. And I will be notified when the part becomes avaliable in order to make repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #10903503, filed 2016-09

Body and structure: “The rear hatch was opened with the automatic button, it raised to the open position. As I was putting in our stroller the hatch fell and struck me in the head. I pushed the hatch up to get from underneath it, and when I let go it fell with no resistance. While falling shut the hatch hit the passenger side of the bumper cut out and slightly bent the hatch and scratched the inside of the bumper. The hatch would no-longer open after that. I took it to the dealership where they forced the door open so I could retrieve articles from the rear. …”

NHTSA complaint #10473770, filed 2012-09, 16,000 miles

Electrical system: “Connector to seat control module located under passenger seat shorted out and melted without fuse interruption. Melted connector found when heated seat function stopped working. Several vehicle forums and youtube videos describe same experience and potential fixes . Others report this overheating is initiated during remote starting. Gm should resolve this connector design problem and repair even if out of warranty due to potential fire hazards.”

NHTSA complaint #10943695, filed 2017-01, 100,000 miles

Equipment: “2011 Cadillac Escalade Esv 26771 power rear cargo door is a serious safety hazard. Son was seriously hurt at airport luggage claims when a power rear cargo door was closing came down on his head and face with out warning of any kind that this door was closing. The door is so large and heavy. It comes downs to fast and does not retract back up when it hits something. The driver had no warning that a person was behind him as he closed the door. This is a very serious problem that will kill someone and should be corrected. The door needs to be change so that it cannot open from overhead. …”

NHTSA complaint #10397261, filed 2011-04

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 114,000 miles.

0%0–1040%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10060%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 100,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20112012201620175201820192024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Escalade ESV · SUV AWDnot rated———3 · 23.7% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Escalade ESV 2WD6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic141816$4,200
Escalade ESV AWD6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic131814$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,433 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,433 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade ESV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202611—35——Too new
20251412,80015——Too new
20242219,00024——Too new
20239240,00044—100 · MoreToo new
20225742,76544—50 · TypicalRising
20217469,608104—87 · MoreRising
20202265,0002———Rising
201934108,3501——0 · FewerRising
201815167,05414——Rising
20173831,27814—32 · FewerRising
20161537,0003———Rising
2015840,0006—17—Not enough data
201113100,0005—16—Not enough data
2009669,6005—15—Not enough data
20081752,5004—14—Stable
20073974,0004——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
2006536,5001—13—Not enough data
20051495,9871—13—Not enough data
20042272,0001—13—Falling
20031293,0001—13—Not enough data

All Cadillac Escalade ESV model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by body and structure with 4.

Has the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV (Escalade ESV 2WD, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 114,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.