NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv Safety Ratings
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv scores 74 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 10 recalls, and 79 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV presents a mixed safety profile. Its NHTSA Safety Index of 74/100 places it in the Average band, reflecting a five-point decrease from the 2020 model's 79/100. This decline is largely attributable to a more substantial defect record. While other crash-test results indicate a solid performance, a notably low rollover score significantly impacts the overall assessment.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV received a NHTSA Safety Index of 74/100 and a 3-out-of-5-star NHTSA rollover rating, according to federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv ranks 96 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 74 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 21.9% |
| Recalls on file | 10 |
| Owner complaints | 79 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 96 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV enters the Safety Desk's records as a notably troubled year within its generation. The NHTSA Safety Index fell to 74/100 from the prior year's 79/100, a five-point erosion that traces directly to the defect record sub-score of 8.25 out of 20, the weakest component in the index breakdown. Ten recall campaigns is a substantial count for a single model year, spanning powertrain software, internal engine components, seat belt fasteners, and lighting modules. The crash-protection sub-score of 57 out of 70 reflects the NHTSA star pattern: strong side protection at 5 stars, a solid but not perfect 4-star frontal result, and a 3-star rollover rating that carries real-world weight given the ESV's size and center of gravity. The avoidance-tech sub-score of 8.5 out of 10 is a relative strength, anchored by standard forward collision warning and standard electronic stability control, though lane departure warning remains optional rather than standard on this year. Taken together, the 2021 model year is defined by the gap between its acceptable crash-test hardware and a defect record that meaningfully suppresses the overall safety picture.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Escalade ESV received an overall 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Its side crash protection earned a perfect 5-star rating. Frontal protection was rated at 4 stars. The vehicle's rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars, with a 22 percent rollover risk, stands as a clear weak point in an otherwise solid performance, though the dynamic tip test indicated "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15352
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv have any recalls?
Ten recall campaigns cover the 2021 Escalade ESV. Named components include internal engine hard parts, automatic transmission control module software, exterior lighting control module software (remedied via an over-the-air fix), seat belt critical fasteners, and a driveshaft concern. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the provided campaign data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V274000
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevro
Reported 2025-04-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V797000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-80
Reported 2024-10-24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V827000
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Reported 2022-11-03
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS22V617000
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1
Reported 2022-08-11
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT22V036000
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Reported 2022-01-27
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE21V739000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
Reported 2021-09-23
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE21V455000
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Reported 2021-06-17
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT21V421000
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this
Reported 2021-06-10
SEAT BELTS21V190000
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
Reported 2021-03-18
SEAT BELTS20V811000
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Reported 2020-12-23
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
NHTSA has logged 79 unverified owner complaints for this model year. Alleged trouble areas include the Engine (49 reports), Electrical System (14), and Power Train (12). Consumers have also reported alleged incidents involving 3 crashes and 3 injuries. All figures are unverified allegations submitted to NHTSA, not established facts.
79 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
A crucial pre-purchase step for the 2021 Escalade ESV involves verifying the status of its ten federal safety recalls. Prospective owners must confirm that all campaigns, particularly those addressing engine hard parts and seat belt fasteners, have been remedied by a certified dealer. Unresolved recalls in these areas pose direct and significant safety risks that buyers should not inherit.
- The Safety Index dropped five points versus the 2020 model year, from 79/100 to 74/100, with the defect record sub-score of 8.25/20 as the primary drag on the overall figure.
- Ten separate recall campaigns were issued for this model year, covering engine internal hard parts, transmission software, seat belt fasteners, driveshaft components, and lighting module software.
- The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars, paired with a 22 percent rollover risk figure from NHTSA testing, is the weakest crash-test result for this year and is relevant given the vehicle's large SUV dimensions.
- Seventy-nine unverified complaints on file include alleged engine trouble as the dominant theme, with 49 of 79 reports pointing to the Engine component, a concentration that aligns with the active engine hard-parts recall campaign.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv places
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv safety questions
Was the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 21.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 10 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 79 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Escalade Esv years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15352), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Cadillac Escalade Esv 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 96 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.