CadillacEscalade ESV2021Overview/cadillac/escalade-esv/2021/base/

2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

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

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, requiring 7.0 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, recorded 80 owner complaints with the engine as the top problem area and 11 recalls. In the model's complaint history from 2003 to 2026, this year sits between the highest complaint year of 2007 (268 complaints) and the lowest of 2013 (2 complaints). This places the 2021 model year between the extremes of the model's complaint history, indicating a typical reliability experience for owners.

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
Battery88866099 alt 88864539
Front wiper blades84278338
Serpentine belt12658178 alt 55490583
Thermostat89018168 alt 55496127
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

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.

Analyzing the federal record from 2015 through 2024, the 2021 model year represents a significant statistical spike in regulatory activity compared to the preceding 2019 and 2020 models. Specifically, the 2021 Escalade ESV logged 80 complaints and 11 recalls, constituting the highest recall count and an investigation count of 4 that exceeds any other year within the entire provided dataset ranging from 2003 to 2026. While subsequent years like 2022 and 2024 show reduced recall figures of 4 and 2 respectively, the 2021 technical service bulletin count of 1330 is double that of the 2020 model year's 660. The data specifies that the Engine category dominates the 2021 complaint landscape with 34 reports, alongside smaller clusters in Electrical System and Power Train,Engine, though the root causes are not detailed in the record. This places the 2021 model at the peak of recent regulatory scrutiny, indicating it faced more official corrective actions than the years immediately surrounding it. Given the highest recall count and elevated investigation levels relative to the 2022 and 2024 model years, this specific vintage requires careful verification of completed recall work before purchase.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1330
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
80
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 80 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine34
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Electrical System5
Power Train,Engine5
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine3
Power Train3
Seat Belts3
Electrical System,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V455000Steering:Steering Control ModuleReported 17/06/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at… Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021…

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 1330 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 ESV. 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 ESV take?

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

Does the 2021 Escalade ESV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.