RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2021 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls
12 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade EXT with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 12
- U.S. recalls
- 00
- Total campaigns
- 12
Transport Canada recalls
12- Engine#2025225
49,848 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the connecting rods and/or crankshaft components may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could make abnormal noises and a warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 6.2 L V8 gas engine. Safety Risk: An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to inspect and, if necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass the engine inspection, the dealer will replace the oil with a higher viscosity oil, install a new oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and add an insert to the owner's manual.
- Powertrain#2024637
52,309 units affected
Issue: Over time, the transmission control valve could wear and lose pressure. If this happens, the transmission could shift harshly and could cause the rear wheels to lock up. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a diesel engine. Safety Risk: Rear wheels that lock suddenly could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the transmission control module software to detect excess wear in advance of a wheel lock up. If detected, a service engine light would turn on, a message would display in the instrument panel and the vehicle would be limited to fifth gear.
- Lights And Instruments#2024060
273,306 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the lower beam headlamps not to turn on as it becomes dark outside if the multi-function switch is in the "OFF" or "PARKING LAMP" position. This could also cause the daytime running lamps (DRLs) to turn off when the vehicle is moving. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: Headlamps and/or DRLs that don't turn on could reduce visibility, make the vehicle less visible to others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the body control module (BCM)software.
- Lights And Instruments#2023472
163,611 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the automatic headlamps may not turn on soon enough as it becomes dark outside. Canadian regulations require automatic headlamps to turn on when the ambient light level drops below a certain point (1000 lux). Safety Risk: Headlamps that don't turn on as it becomes dark outside could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles to update the body control module (BCM) software. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a GM dealership.
- Lights And Instruments#2022634
16,026 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the daytime running lamps (DRLs) may stay on when the headlamps are on. Canadian regulations require the DRLs to turn off when the headlamps are on. Safety Risk: Daytime running lamps that stay on could cause glare for oncoming drivers and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: General Motors will notify owners by mail and and send a wireless over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles to update the body control module (BCM) software. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a GM dealer.
- Seats And Restraints#2022456
30,096 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the left and/or right third-row seat belt buckles may not have been attached correctly. As a result, the seat belts could detach in a crash. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could create an increased risk of injury. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect, and if necessary, replace the left and/or right third-row seat belt buckle assemblies.
- Powertrain#2022027
141 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, parts inside the rear axle shafts may not have been manufactured properly. Over time, this could lead to wear that can cause noise and vibration. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, an axle shaft could seize and cause a loss of power to the wheels. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the left and/or right-rear axle shafts.
- Fuel System#2021583
334 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with the fuel pump power control module could interrupt fuel flow to the engine. If this happens, you may notice poor engine performance and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden engine stall while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the fuel pump power control module.
- Steering#2021380
537 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause a loss of power steering assist at vehicle start up or while driving. Safety Risk: A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: General Motors will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a GM dealer. Certain vehicle owners will need to schedule an appointment to have a hardware replacement performed at a GM dealer.
- Airbag#2021348
16,400 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the airbag warning light not to turn on when there is a fault in the airbag system. As a result, a driver might not be alerted of the problem and the airbags may not work properly in a crash. Safety Risk: An airbag system that does not work properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to each vehicle. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed by a dealer.
- Seats And Restraints#2021165
3,010 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the outboard seat belts for the third-row seat may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, the seat belts could be mis-routed or damaged by sharp edges on the seat-folding parts. Safety Risk: A damaged seat belt could break in a crash and increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the third-row outboard seat belts for correct routing and damage. The seat belt path will be corrected if required. Damaged seat belts will be replaced.
- Lights And Instruments#2020628
121 units affected
IIssue: In certain situations, the front passenger seat belt and airbag status light may be dimmed, and set to "night mode" during the daytime. As a result, the status light may not be as bright as required by Canadian regulations. Safety risk: A seat belt and airbag status light that is not bright enough may be difficult to see. This may result in the driver and front passenger not being aware that a seat belt is unbuckled, or being aware if the airbag is turned off. This could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective action: General Motors will send a wireless over-the-air update to each vehicle. This will allow you to update the Body Control Module software without having to bring the vehicle to a dealership. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment to have the update performed by a dealer. General Motors will also mail a copy of this recall notice to all owners.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
00No recalls found for this make, model, and year.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2021 Cadillac Escalade EXT VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.