Cadillac · Escalade · 2011
6
Recalls
65
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade has 6 recalls and 65 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (42 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
24.6% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 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 N212328800.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. 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 N212328760.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Remedy Status
GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
The Transmission , the vehicle came to a sudden stop while driving, confirmed by a mechanic, no it has not been inspected by insurance or others accident was avoided, no warnings lights, transmission began to jump in gear like a lunge forward. Double checked it and it would not go forward then it would let you reverse only and then it will not go forward or reverse. The vehicle had to be towed. Engine starts fine but can't drive
The whole transmission kept jerking and finally went totally out. I only have 189,000
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Radial X, Tire Size: 285/45/R22, DOT Number: B90L-7LNX4818. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of all tires, he observed delamination and thread separation on the sidewalls and driving surface of the tires. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Swaybar mount is ripped from the frame. Only on the passenger side
-Driver seat would not heat or cool. -When troubleshooting, discovered a melted wire and burnt plug. Could have caused fire. Various others online had the exact issue. There should be a recall. -Not reproduced or confirmed by dealer. The damage is visible, not necessary to take in. -Not inspected, see photos. -No warning lights.
the top of the dash cover cracked. There was no reason, it just cracked.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED DEVAN LOWE INC CADILLAC GMC LINCOLN (AL-77 & STEELE STATION RD, ATTALLA, AL 35954, (256) 344-4832) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED OTHER THAN THERE IS A CURRENT AIRBAG RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. MANY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS ALSO HAVE THIS TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE AND THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED/OR REPLACED AND THE RECALL IS LIFTED. YET CADILLAC/GM IS STILL REFUSING TO HAVE THIS DONE SO I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A VEHICLE WHICH THE NHTSA SAYS IT NOT SAFE YET CADILLAC SAYS IT IS AND NO ONE HAS TAKEN THE STEP FORWARD TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND RECENTLY PASSED AWAY IN A HORRIFYING MANNER AND ALL I WANT TO DO IS GIVE MY STEPSON WHO LIVES IN CANADA (I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES) I JUST WANT TO GIVE MY STEPSON HIS FATHERS TRUCK AND BECAUSE NO ONE WISHED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM I AM UNABLE TO DO THIS. I SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE NHTSA CAN ALLOW US TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THEY DEEM TO BE UNSAFE YET NOT FORCE CADILLAC/GM TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THEY FEEL IS NO PROBLEM. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POSSIBLE LAWSUIT THAT COULD BE PLACED AGAINST CADILLAC/GM AND NHTSA IF ANYONE WAS TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE NONE OF YOU TOOK THE STEP FORWARD TO FORCE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE SOLVED JUST LIKE TOYOTA, BMW, TESLA, SAAB AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING RATHER THAN ALLOW THIS ISSUE TO SIT IN A STATE OF LIMBO AS "INCOMPLETE/REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE. AND WHAT A NAME A PERSON WOULD MAKE FOR THEMSELVES TO PUSH THIS TO BE SOLVED. SOME HAS TO HELP ME, PLEASE! I JUST WANT MY STEPSON TO HAVE HIS FATHERS TRUCK..PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
JUST CHECKED VIN # AND SAID 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS. DOES THIS MEAN THEY MEED TO BE FIX OR THAT MY VEHICLE ISNT AFFECTED AND IS IT IS AFFCETED WHERE OR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT.
THE REAR LIFT DOOR ACCESS UNLOCKS ON IT'S OWN FREQUENTLY. THE WHOLE REAR DOOR LIFTED OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED TO BE SECURELY LATCHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER TOM KELLY CADILLAC (811 AVE OF AUTOS, FORT WAYNE IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON IT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I SPOKE TO GENERAL MOTORS (CONVERSATION #[XXX]) AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE UNTIL NHTSA PROVIDES A SOLUTION. THE FACT REMAINS I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH AN OUTSTANDING RECALL THAT I CAN'T GET FIXED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
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.
IT IS CLEARLY OUTLINED ON THE GM AND NHTSA WEBSITES THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG BY THE TAKATA CORPORATION BASED ON A FINDING IN 2016. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE AND MUST "WAIT" PER THE GM WEBSITE WHICH STATES RECALL STATUS IS: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THE AIRBAGS REPLACED WITH SAFE ONES IN ORDER TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO DRIVE IN? LET THIS BE NOTICE THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME OR MY FAMILY DUE TO THE THREE (3) YEAR DELAY AND CURRENT REMEDY OF "NOT YET AVAILABLE" TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE I WILL TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!! I WANT MY VEHICLE APPROVED TO BE REPAIRED!!
DOOR HANDLE FOR ALL DOORS BREAK OFF WITH OR WITHOUT AN MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION. SELF-EXTRACATION FROM VEHICLE IS UNLIKELY WITHOUT REPAIR
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**
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED DEVOE CADILLAC (4100 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34103, (888) 571-5034) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBERS: 95436748446 AND 83462162907. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS A TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE WITH NO REMEDY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS THIS SAFETY RISK COULD CAUSE ME SERIOUS HARM.
TAKATA RECALL - MY VEHICLE IS LISTED AS HAVING THE TAKATA AIRBAG INSTALLED AND RECALLED - GM RECALL # 2049151 - NHTSA # 16V381. WHEN I CALLED GM THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS ON HOLD AND I COULD NOT GET MY CAR SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THESE AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE DEADLY AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM IS HOLDING BACK FORM ALLOWING ME TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE AND PERFORM THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
I AM GETTING ERROR 2135 THROTTLE POSITION THE TRUCK ENGINE INCREASE IN POWER THEN THE REDUCED POWER LIGHTS COMES ON. I SEEN A RECALL # 11273B BUT NOT SURE IF IT IS STILL IN AFFECT HOW WOULD I FIND OUT ALSO HAVE SEEN OTHER RECALLS NOT SURE IF I CAN GET THEM I DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR WHEN SOME OF THE RECALLS CAME OUT
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 65 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade.
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade are air bags (42 reports), structure (3 reports), unknown or other (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.