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2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport 4WD

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport 4WD is a 420-hp with a hydra-matic 10l80 10-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $88,895 MSRP.

It makes 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

The Escalade measures 211.0 inches long on a 120.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 5,822 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$88,895
MSRP with Destination$90,590
Destination Charge$1,695
Engine
Engine Type6.2L V-8 VVT DI with Dynamic Fuel Management
Horsepower420 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm (6.2L SAE certified) rpm
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cyl, variable valve timing (6.2L); DOHC, 4 valves/cyl (3.0L diesel)
Bore and Stroke103.25 x 92.0 (6.2L)
Injection TypeDirect high-pressure fuel injection with Dynamic Fuel Management (6.2L); common-rail direct injection at 36,250 psi
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD
Differential TypeElectronic limited-slip differential; final drive ratio 3.23 (6.2L and 3.0L diesel)
Transmission
TransmissionHydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City13 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent coil-over-shocks and stabilizer bar; Air Ride Adaptive Suspension with Magnetic Ride Control available
Rear SuspensionIndependent multilink with coil-over shocks and stabilizer bar; Air Ride Adaptive Suspension with Magnetic Ride Control available
Brakes
Front Brake DiscDuralife vented disc (size not listed in source)
Rear Brake DiscDuralife vented disc (size not listed in source)
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front22-in. aluminum
Wheels Rear22-in. aluminum
Tires FrontP275/50R22 all-season
Tires RearP275/50R22 all-season
Dimensions & Weight
Length211 in
Width81 in
Height76.6 in
Wheelbase120.9 in
Front Track68.5 in
Rear Track68.3 in
Cargo Volume25.5 ft³
Curb Weight5,822 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front42.3 in
Headroom Rear38.9 in
Legroom Front44.5 in
Legroom Rear41.7 in
Shoulder Room Front65.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear64.6 in
Hip Room Front61.7 in
Hip Room Rear61.2 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (21.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2021 Cadillac Escalade SUV 4WD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade SUV 2WD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

9 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac ESCALADE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 18, 2025 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252512770. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 18, 2025.

NHTSA campaign 25V619000

Apr 24, 2025 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Consequence: 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, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

NHTSA campaign 25V274000

Oct 24, 2024 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Consequence: 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 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

NHTSA campaign 24V797000

Nov 3, 2022 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 22V827000

Aug 11, 2022 · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

Consequence: 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 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.

NHTSA campaign 22V617000

Jan 27, 2022 · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 22V036000

Sep 23, 2021 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V739000

Jun 10, 2021 · AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Consequence: 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 recall is N212338110.

NHTSA campaign 21V421000

Mar 18, 2021 · SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V190000

95 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac ESCALADE

Owner Complaints

95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Cadillac ESCALADE (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine53
Electrical System12
Power Train11
Engine And Engine Cooling10
Unknown Or Other8
Forward Collision Avoidance7
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 17, 2026 · Engine
“There is internal engine failure. Yes it is available for inspection. My safety as well as others were at risk when the engine started to fail, without warning, causing my car to jolt and briefly lose…”
Oct 16, 2026 · Electrical System, Structure
“After soft-close, left-side passenger door won't open. Not form the outside, not from the inside. Happened before about a year ago. logged into dealer system but the were unable to identify (and…”
Oct 15, 2026 · Electrical System, Service Brakes
“While driving in a heavy rainstorm on October 15, 2026, the vehicle hydroplaned and every brake warning light came on at once, and the dashboard displayed a message that the brake system had failed…”
Oct 14, 2026 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle completely stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the Stability, Parking, and…”
Oct 9, 2026 · Power Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“Started car and all of sudden shaking, loss of power, flashing engine light and punch of flashing warnings. The car is being towed to cadillac dealer!”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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