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Cadillac EscaladeModel year report

2011 Cadillac Escalade Problems

Compared with other Cadillac Escalade years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

9/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
49filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
104,762miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade. The part named most often is air bags, with 34 complaints (69% of the total), followed by other or unknown (5) and body and structure (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,762 miles. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 1,566 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 57 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Cadillac Escalade model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 9 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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: “My vehicle is part od a takata air bag recall and GM refuses to do anything about it. I have called periodically asking when the repair would happen and was told it is being phased in and I will get a notice.I just called again and the new answer is that GM doesn't think they should have to replace this and will not do anything until their objection can be resolved. They will not commit to replacing my recalled airbag.”

NHTSA complaint #11257419, filed 2019-09, 169,000 miles

Other or unknown: “My dash has cracked. The vehicle has been garaged every day since I purchased it new in 2011 and has not ever been mistreated. This is obviously a defect in craftsmanship of the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11039905, filed 2017-10, 107,000 miles

Brakes: “When coming to a stop and braking (at lights and stop signs) vehicle sometimes feels like it slips then brakes kick in. Been happening for a long time now. Its very comparable to the recall on the 2015-2017 models that were affected. Also another common issue I have is the power from the cigarette lighters going out plenty of times. **on another note it isn't just one set date as it is asking below**”

NHTSA complaint #11300535, filed 2020-01, 85,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

13% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 64,600 and 115,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2513%25–5025%50–756%75–10044%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 104,762 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20112015201715201920212025
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. 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 · SUV AWD★★★★☆5 / 4553 · 22.8% risk
Escalade · SUV RWD★★★★☆5 / 4553 · 24.6% risk
Escalade Hybrid · SUV AWD★★★★☆5 / 4553 · 22.8% risk
Escalade Hybrid · SUV RWD★★★★☆5 / 4553 · 24.6% risk

Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

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 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 2WD6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic141816$4,200
Escalade AWD6.2L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic131815$4,450
Escalade Hybrid 2WD6.0L 8-cyl · hybridCVT202321$3,200
Escalade Hybrid 4WD6.0L 8-cyl · hybridCVT202321$3,200

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 → · 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. 1,566 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,566 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac Escalade

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026387,0003517Too new to compareToo new
20252012,0001517—Too new
20245217,5002416Too new to compareToo new
202314330,0004416100 · MoreToo new
20228637,600441671 · MoreRising
20217842,500941740 · TypicalRising
20201455,5712—17—Not enough data
20192541,0000—170 · FewerRising
20182242,1161417—Rising
20175129,000241750 · TypicalRising
20168938,0004—1786 · MoreStable
20159861,0009—1790 · MoreStable
20142040,5002416—Falling
20131981,7504416—Falling
20122066,0003416—Falling
201149104,76264169 · FewerFalling
20103882,0003—1610 · FewerFalling
200958100,0005—1549 · TypicalStable
200813698,0004—1461 · TypicalFalling
200723089,0004—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20061988,0002—14—Stable
20054389,0532—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046984,2442—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20038171,0004—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200211578,7801—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20007180,9431—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199939112,0002—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade have?

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 34 complaints (69% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 5.

Has the 2011 Cadillac Escalade been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2011 Cadillac Escalade do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Cadillac Escalade 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Cadillac Escalade (Escalade 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 reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,762 miles and the middle half falls between 64,600 and 115,000 miles; 13% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.