2011 Cadillac Escalade: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (76% of complaints); the 2012 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2025
“-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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2020
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2020
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“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**”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2018
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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: 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, 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: 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 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: 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, 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: 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 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: 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.
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: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escalade by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade. The most complained-about area is air bags (76% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Cadillac Escalade problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 104,762 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Cadillac Escalade have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.