2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 15%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 15% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 cameras are not working properly and have stopped working completely, I have seen online that theses car have problems like this and have recalls and my car has the same problem now but it’s says it’s not under a recall”
NHTSA complaint #11607399, filed 2024-08“I am experiencing an ongoing issue with my vehicle’s rear passenger door. The door frequently cannot be opened from either the inside or the outside. At first, I believed the problem was related to the child safety lock. However, even after confirming that the child safety lock is fully disengaged, the door still fails to open from both inside and outside. Occasionally, after turning the vehicle off and restarting it several times, the door will open normally. However, the problem returns randomly, and the door appears to lock itself again without warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #11716503, filed 2026-02“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“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 2026-02“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while her husband was driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the electrical system and engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11498437, filed 2022-12, 33,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11024486May 16, 2025This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
- 11019017Apr 10, 2025This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017255Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11016912Mar 5, 2025This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to the power sliding…
- 11014602Feb 17, 2025This bulletin provides information to the tech on how to diagnosis the EGR system from possible issue that may cause the DTCs to set and cause the customers concern of a MIL…
- 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.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 27% |
| 2025 | 3 | 21% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 12% |
| 2022 | 8 | 14% |
| 2021 | 11 | 15% |
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 5 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 33% |
| 2017 | 4 | 11% |
| 2016 | 3 | 20% |
| 2015 | 2 | 25% |
| 2011 | 2 | 15% |
| 2009 | 1 | 17% |
| 2008 | 2 | 12% |
| 2007 | 6 | 15% |
| 2005 | 5 | 36% |
| 2004 | 6 | 27% |
| 2003 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBrakes
4 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 28, 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