2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife was driving my kids to their nana and papas house when the vehicle loss power. The vehicle started to have a knocking noise and started to vibrate towards the engine compartment. The dash lit up like a Christmas tree. We took the vehicle to a local mechanic and he suggested that we might need a tune up. We purchased 8 brand new spark plugs, spark plug wires and 8 brand new coil packs. The local mechanic installed all of the new parts and the vehicle acted just like it was before the tune up. We then took the vehicle to Boyd Cadillac in Henderson,NC. …”
NHTSA complaint #11708463, filed 2026-01“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. Cadillac of Memphis stated it was something that went out and needed to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11679462, filed 2025-08“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11499497, filed 2022-12“On 12/18/2025 at approximately 73,097 miles, while driving on I-75 near Wildwood, Florida at about 75 mph, the vehicle experienced a sudden powertrain failure. The engine became seized/locked, the vehicle progressively lost power, and there were abnormal/loud mechanical noises. I was able to avoid a crash, but the event created a safety risk due to loss of propulsion at interstate speed. No accident occurred. The vehicle later received an engine replacement at Plaza Cadillac (Leesburg, FL). Dealer paperwork indicates completion on 01/07/2026, and the vehicle was returned to me on 02/02/2026. …”
NHTSA complaint #11715994, filed 2026-02Related service bulletins
- 11017173Mar 21, 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013242Jan 17, 2025This informational bulletin advises the technician to check for faults that may be caused by the trailer otherwise found by a possible faulty trailer connector.
- 11012938Jan 9, 2025This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that may request the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Regular…
- 11013031Jan 3, 2025This technical bulletin provides a procedure to inform drivers that under certain driving conditions such as hilly or mountainous roads accompanied with frequent braking, that…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 5 | 5% |
| 2021 | 4 | 5% |
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% |
| 2017 | 11 | 29% |
| 2016 | 1 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 17% |
| 2007 | 2 | 5% |
| 2006 | 1 | 20% |
| 2005 | 4 | 29% |
| 2004 | 3 | 14% |
| 2003 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology