CadillacEscalade2021Overview/cadillac/escalade/2021/base/

2021 Cadillac Escalade

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Escalade.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade appears in the record as a model-year reference distinguished by a 7.0-quart 0W-20 engine-oil requirement, a specification paired with a reliability profile of 75 owner complaints and 12 recalls. Engine issues lead the complaint data, centering the documented service history on the powertrain. Within the model’s 1999–2026 complaint range—where volume reached a high of 285 in 2007 and a low of 3 in 2001—the 2021 edition’s 75 filings place it well below the historical peak, marking a comparatively moderate complaint load for analysts tracking long-term trends.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size275/50R22 111HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 12727115
Engine air filter84121219 alt 84121217
Fuel filter13539108
Spark plug12622441
Battery88864542 alt 88866099
Front wiper blades84278338
Serpentine belt12658178 alt 12669858
Thermostat89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length227.2 in
Overall width81.1 in
Overall height76.4 in
Wheelbase134.3 in
Curb weight5869 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escalade of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.9–6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.90 sec — 2021 ESV Sport Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021ESV Sport Platinum 6.2L V85.90 sec14.50 sec420 hp4WD
2021Sport Platinum 6.2L V86.10 sec14.60 sec420 hp4WD
2021ESV Premium Luxury 6.2L V86.20 sec14.70 sec420 hp4WD
2021Premium Luxury 6.2L V86.20 sec14.70 sec420 hp4WD
2021Sport Platinum 6.2L V86.60 sec14.90 sec420 hp4WD
2022Sport Platinum 6.2L V86.00 sec14.50 sec420 hp4WD
2023V 6.2L Supercharger V84.30 sec12.70 sec682 hp4WD
2023V 6.2L Supercharger V84.40 sec12.70 sec682 hp4WD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1 qt
Brake FluidDot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Engine Coolant Capacity15.70 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity15.09 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts43.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)22.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity6.59 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-88.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: NS, Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.7
Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: J55: 1.181", J61: 1.102"; Rear: .709"
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: J55: 1.201", J61: 1.122"; Rear: .728"
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001"
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Take old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove the old crankshaft balancer bolt and throw away., Step 3: Recess the nose of the crankshaft into the balancer bore: 0.94-0.176", Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen 360°, Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: Bolt with rotating washer: 200° or Bolt that has a flanged head: 125°240 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen Bolts 3-6 & 11-13., Step 3: Bolts 3-6 & 11-13: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen Bolts 1, 2, 7-10., Step 5: Bolts 1, 2, 7-10: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 225°30 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°26 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 15 & 168.83 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade represents a notable inflection point in its generation’s federal safety record, particularly when contextualized against preceding and subsequent model years. Complaints surged to 75 in 2021—nearly six times the 13 reported in 2020—while recalls spiked to 12, the highest in over a decade, accompanied by four federal investigations, a level unseen since the early 2000s. This contrasts sharply with the relatively stable, low-complaint environment of 2018–2020, suggesting the 2021 model may have introduced or amplified unresolved issues, particularly in engine-related systems (23 complaints) and powertrain integration. The following years (2022–2023) show persistent but slightly declining complaints (71 and 121, respectively) and fewer recalls, implying some corrective actions were taken, though concerns linger. With two crash and two fire complaints in 2021, the data signals elevated risk compared to adjacent years. **Takeaway:** While the 2021 Escalade offers updated features, its disproportionate recall and complaint volume—especially around critical systems—makes it a higher-risk used purchase; buyers should prioritize thorough pre-purchase inspections and verified recall completions.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1209
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
75
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 75 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine23
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Power Train,Engine5
Unknown Or Other4
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seat Belts,Engine2
Electrical System2
Forward Collision Avoidance2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V739000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive ModuleReported 23/09/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or… Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…

22V036000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 27/01/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal… Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1209 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
662.102026-06-17Unknown Or OtherSuper Cruise maps will download faster, giving you updates sooner for Super Cruise…
PIT65222026-06-10Unknown Or OtherThis PI advises dealers that if the K160 Brake System Control Module sets DTC P0606 along…
PIT6132E2026-06-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issues with the HVAC making a hum buzz noise…
PIT6477C2026-06-05Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary PI was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escalade. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Escalade take?

7.0 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Escalade have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.