Total Complaints
18 filings
CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV · model year
18 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011CADILLACESCALADE ESV carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 ESCALADE ESV is air bags with 5 filings, followed by equipment (2) and structure:body:door (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2011 ESCALADE ESV, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
18 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 5 |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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, m
STEERING:LINKAGES
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
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 FRAC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 s
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
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.
DOOR HANDLE FOR ALL DOORS BREAK OFF WITH OR WITHOUT AN MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION. SELF-EXTRACATION FROM VEHICLE IS UNLIKELY WITHOUT REPAIR
Mileage: 141,000
DOOR HANDLE FOR ALL DOORS BREAK OFF WITH OR WITHOUT AN MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION. SELF-EXTRACATION FROM VEHICLE IS UNLIKELY WITHOUT REPAIR
Mileage: 141,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). MASSEY CADILLAC NORTH ORLANDO (4241 N JOHN YOUNG PKWY, ORLANDO, FL 32804, 1-866-439-5891) WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Mileage: 15,555
HEATED SEAT MODULE AND WIRING MELTED. FIRE CONCERNS. MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED
Mileage: 114,000
HEATED SEAT MODULE AND WIRING MELTED. FIRE CONCERNS. MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED
Mileage: 114,000
TAKATA RECALL ISSUED 5/2016BY MAIL TO MY HOUSE. NHTSA#: 16V381 RECALL 49151. CALLED HOEHN BUICK CADILLAC IN CARLSBAD, CA. REPLIED THAT GM HADN'T SENT OUT PARTSYET. CALLED AGAIN & WENT TO DEALER ON 11/21/2016 & FINALLY 9/19/2017. SAME STORY. SPOKE TO GM VINCE LOVE. VINCE LOVE.
TAKATA RECALL I HAD MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH TWO OF THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERS TO GET THE RECALL SOLVED BUT CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME RESPONSE; "THE RECALL ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE!" AS OF YET, THERE HAS BEEN NO CONTACT MADE BY ANY OF THE DEALERS ON GETTING THE MATTER RESOLVED AND INSTEAD SOME OF THE SALES DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE MAKING OFFERS FOR ME TO TRADE IN OR SALE THEM OUR VEHICLE. WE AVERAGE OVER 20,000 MILES A YEAR TRAVELING AS A FAMILY AND MY FEAR AND CONCERN ARE THAT ONE DAY OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY MAY BE PLACED IN JEOPARDY DUE TO A KNOW MATTER THAT SHOULD HAD BEEN RESOLVED TIMELY. SO FAR THERE HAD BEEN NO INCIDENTS BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT'S DEEM TO BE UNSAFE DUE TO MANUFACTURERS REASONS.
TAKATA RECALL .I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS TRAVELING VEHICLE SO IT WOULD NORMALLY BE ON HIGHWAYS AT OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR. QUESTION WOULD I BE SAFER TO HAVE THIS DISCONNECTED? WHO COULD DO THIS. I LIKE MOST PEOPLE CAN NOT AFFORD TO TRADE VEHICLES AND REALLY WOULD RATHER NOT. NOW THE CASE IS SETTLED WIT TAKATA. THAT'S JUST GREAT BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IF I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED CAN I GET REIMBURSED AT SOME POINT. .NOW THE CASE IS SETTLED I EXPECT SOME MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO SUPPLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE. WHAT WOULD YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION BE AS TO HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE FOR THE VEHICLES TO BE REPAIR. HOW MUCH LESS IS MY VEHICLE WORTH AT THIS POINT DUE TO THIS ISSUE. YOU KNOW THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, WELL THIS IS JUST ANOTHER CASE THAT WE NEED SOMEONE TO LOOK OUT FOR US SINCE COMPANIES ARE GREEDY AND WILLING TO PROVIDE FALSE DATA TO DOWN STEAM MANUFACTURES TO SUPPLY THEM PRODUCTS. SUGGESTION TO MOTIVATE REPAIRS : CUT SALARIES OF
CONNECTOR TO SEAT CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT SHORTED OUT AND MELTED WITHOUT FUSE INTERRUPTION. MELTED CONNECTOR FOUND WHEN HEATED SEAT FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING. SEVERAL VEHICLE FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS DESCRIBE SAME EXPERIENCE AND POTENTIAL "FIXES". OTHERS REPORT THIS OVERHEATING IS INITIATED DURING REMOTE STARTING. GM SHOULD RESOLVE THIS CONNECTOR DESIGN PROBLEM AND REPAIR EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.
Mileage: 100,000
CONNECTOR TO SEAT CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT SHORTED OUT AND MELTED WITHOUT FUSE INTERRUPTION. MELTED CONNECTOR FOUND WHEN HEATED SEAT FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING. SEVERAL VEHICLE FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS DESCRIBE SAME EXPERIENCE AND POTENTIAL "FIXES". OTHERS REPORT THIS OVERHEATING IS INITIATED DURING REMOTE STARTING. GM SHOULD RESOLVE THIS CONNECTOR DESIGN PROBLEM AND REPAIR EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.
Mileage: 100,000
TAKATA RECALL GM SAYS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE THOUGH I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. I HAVE FOUR DAUGHTERS AGES 4 TO 10 YEARS OLD. THEIR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO ME. ACCORDING TO GM I HAVE BEEN ADVISE NOT TO TAKE ACTION. AND I WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART BECOMES AVALIABLE IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS.
THE REAR HATCH WAS OPENED WITH THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON, IT RAISED TO THE OPEN POSITION. AS I WAS PUTTING IN OUR STROLLER THE HATCH FELL AND STRUCK ME IN THE HEAD. I PUSHED THE HATCH UP TO GET FROM UNDERNEATH IT, AND WHEN I LET GO IT FELL WITH NO RESISTANCE. WHILE FALLING SHUT THE HATCH HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BUMPER CUT OUT AND SLIGHTLY BENT THE HATCH AND SCRATCHED THE INSIDE OF THE BUMPER. THE HATCH WOULD NO-LONGER OPEN AFTER THAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FORCED THE DOOR OPEN SO I COULD RETRIEVE ARTICLES FROM THE REAR. I A CHILD OR SHORTER PERSON WAS UNDER THE HATCH IT MAY HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO THEM, DUE TO THE FORCE WITH WHICH THE HATCH CAME DOWN. *TR
Mileage: 16,000
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SON WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AT AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIMS WHEN A POWER REAR CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND FACE WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS DOOR WAS CLOSING. THE DOOR IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY AS IT COMES DOWNS IT'S FAST AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK UP WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING. THE DRIVER HAD NO WARNING THAT A PERSON WAS BEHIND HIM AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD KILL SOMEONE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THIS DOOR SHOULD BE CHANGE SO THAT IT CANNOT OPEN FROM OVERHEAD. THIS DOOR IS TO LARGE AND HEAVY TO HAVE SOMETHING COMING DOWN FROM THAT DISTANCE THAT'S ABOVE THE TOP OF THE ESCALADE. THIS IS A VERY VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED ARE LOOSE BODY PARTS IF THIS DESIGN IS NOT CHANGED. THIS A VERY POOR DESIGN. *TR
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SON WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AT AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIMS WHEN A POWER REAR CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND FACE WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS DOOR WAS CLOSING. THE DOOR IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY AS IT COMES DOWNS IT'S FAST AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK UP WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING. THE DRIVER HAD NO WARNING THAT A PERSON WAS BEHIND HIM AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD KILL SOMEONE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THIS DOOR SHOULD BE CHANGE SO THAT IT CANNOT OPEN FROM OVERHEAD. THIS DOOR IS TO LARGE AND HEAVY TO HAVE SOMETHING COMING DOWN FROM THAT DISTANCE THAT'S ABOVE THE TOP OF THE ESCALADE. THIS IS A VERY VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED ARE LOOSE BODY PARTS IF THIS DESIGN IS NOT CHANGED. THIS A VERY POOR DESIGN. *TR
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SON WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AT AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIMS WHEN A POWER REAR CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND FACE WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS DOOR WAS CLOSING. THE DOOR IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY. IT COMES DOWNS TO FAST AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK UP WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING. THE DRIVER HAD NO WARNING THAT A PERSON WAS BEHIND HIM AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL KILL SOMEONE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE CHANGE SO THAT IT CANNOT OPEN FROM OVERHEAD. THIS DOOR IS TO LARGE AND HEAVY TO HAVE SOMETHING COMING DOWN FROM THAT DISTANCE. THE IS DOOR SUSPENDER IN AIR ABOVE THE TOP OF THE ESCALADE. THIS IS A VERY VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED ARE LOSE BODY PARTS IF THIS DESIGN IS NOT CHANGED. THIS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND IT SHOULD NEVER BEEN PUT ON AN VEHICLE . *TR
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV 26771 POWER REAR CARGO DOOR IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SON WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AT AIRPORT LUGGAGE CLAIMS WHEN A POWER REAR CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD AND FACE WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS DOOR WAS CLOSING. THE DOOR IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY. IT COMES DOWNS TO FAST AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK UP WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING. THE DRIVER HAD NO WARNING THAT A PERSON WAS BEHIND HIM AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WILL KILL SOMEONE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE DOOR NEEDS TO BE CHANGE SO THAT IT CANNOT OPEN FROM OVERHEAD. THIS DOOR IS TO LARGE AND HEAVY TO HAVE SOMETHING COMING DOWN FROM THAT DISTANCE. THE IS DOOR SUSPENDER IN AIR ABOVE THE TOP OF THE ESCALADE. THIS IS A VERY VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED ARE LOSE BODY PARTS IF THIS DESIGN IS NOT CHANGED. THIS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND IT SHOULD NEVER BEEN PUT ON AN VEHICLE . *TR
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.