2011 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade has 53 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve air bags and unknown or other.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 53 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
AIR BAGS
34 64.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 7.5%
SERVICE BRAKES
2 3.8%
SUSPENSION
2 3.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2 3.8%
Quick Insights
The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 64.2% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
Subscribe to Recall Alerts
Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade.
Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.
What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Cadillac Escalade
The 2011 Cadillac Escalade has 53 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 64% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade are AIR BAGS (34), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4), SERVICE BRAKES (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 40 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Cadillac Escalade?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
AIR BAGS
34 Reports64% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CRACKED DASHBOARD ON 2 OUT OF EVERY 3 GM SUV / TRUCKS. MINE IS ONE OF THEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IF I WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WOULD MY AIRBAG DEPLOY PROPERLY, WOULD THE DASH SHATTER INTO TINY PIECES AND BE LIKE SHRAPNEL. GM KNOWS THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH MOST 2007-PRESENT SUV / TRUCKS DASHES. MY GM CASE NUMBER [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
1/27/2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
8/29/2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY DASH HAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED EVERY DAY SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2011 AND HAS NOT EVER BEEN MISTREATED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE.
10/26/2017
THE REAR LIFT DOOR ACCESS UNLOCKS ON IT'S OWN FREQUENTLY. THE WHOLE REAR DOOR LIFTED OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
6/22/2020
SERVICE BRAKES
2 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ *CN
5/19/2016
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**
1/20/2020
SUSPENSION
2 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ *CN
5/19/2016
Swaybar mount is ripped from the frame. Only on the passenger side
8/21/2022
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LOCKED AND THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DEALER (POTAMKIN CADILLAC OF MANHATTAN, 706 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10019) REPLACED THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,488. *BF UPDATED 8/28/18*JB
12/20/2017
THE REAR LIFT DOOR ACCESS UNLOCKS ON IT'S OWN FREQUENTLY. THE WHOLE REAR DOOR LIFTED OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
6/22/2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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**
1/20/2020
-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.
3/15/2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THIS COMPLAINT IS A GENERAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE NEW TYPE OF HEADLIGHTS THAT SHINE A PIERCING BLUE COLOR. WHEN VEHICLES WITH THIS NEW TYPE OF HEADLIGHT APPROACH, IT INTERFERES WITH NIGHT DRIVING VISION. I CAN TOLERATE ONE OR TWO OF THESE TYPE HEADLIGHTS COMING AT ME AT NIGHT, BUT IF SOMEDAY THERE ARE DOZENS OF THEM IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IT WILL NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. VISION WILL BE IMPAIRED. SUCH HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE TONED DOWN. THEY ARE MUCH TOO BRIGHT. THANK YOU. *TR
10/18/2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
BLACK CHROME PAINT ON WINDOW FRAMES PEELING AWAY. *TR
11/6/2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TOA DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE CV BOOTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CV BOOTS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
4/11/2016
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ *CN
5/19/2016
SEAT BELTS
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
2/21/2020
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The whole transmission kept jerking and finally went totally out. I only have 189,000
3/18/2025
POWER TRAIN
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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
3/21/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade?
Are complaints about the 2011 Cadillac Escalade a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade?
Are complaints about the 2011 Cadillac Escalade severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac Escalade: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 53
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
We may earn a commission via links on this page.