2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 14 on record.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT recalls 4
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 sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South …
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notificati…
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, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrol…
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notificati…
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, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this …
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 FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CON…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT safety ratings
Rollover risk: 21.2% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
What's a 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($34,201) with the same model 5 model-years older ($11,842), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…
NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1582
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 1582.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Bulletin PIP4902W · Sep 2026This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Bulletin PIT3271Q · Apr 2026This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
Bulletin PIP6104 · Mar 2026This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Bulletin PIP4902V · Mar 2026This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
Bulletin PIT6400A · Jan 2026This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Bulletin PIP4902U · Jan 2026This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General M…
Bulletin PIT5214G · Nov 2025New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Bulletin 13598 · Sep 2025This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Bulletin PIP4902T · Aug 2025This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060,…
Bulletin PIC5650M · Aug 2025Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ESCALADE EXT AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 5
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage t…
Transport Canada #2021028 · Feb 2021Airbag
Issue: Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly…
Transport Canada #2020591 · Dec 2020Airbag
This Safety Improvement Program was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-591. General Motors Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving passenger airbag inflators in vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain areas of the United States that experience high or moderate levels of heat and humidity, and that were subsequentl…
Transport Canada #2016307 · Jun 2016Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition lock cylinder could cause the key to stick in the "start" position if the vehicle interior temperature is sufficiently high. If the vehicle is operated in this condition and the interior temperature cools or the vehicle goes off-road or is subjected to some other jarring event, the key could move out of the "start" position, rotate…
Transport Canada #2015002 · Dec 2014Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear axle cross pin was improperly heat treated (during the manufacturing process) and could fracture and become displaced within the rear differential. As a result the driver may hear a banging noise emanating from the rear axle. Also, if the pin shifts out of position it could create an interference and cause the rear axle to lock. This could cause a…
Transport Canada #2010454 · Dec 2010Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac as its first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs during the late 1990s, including the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built at Arlington Assembly in Arlington, Texas.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT trims & engines on record
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT vehicles on record
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Luxury3GYT4MEF9BG402324
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEFXBG283639
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Luxury3GYT4MEF5BG385621
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Luxury3GYT4MEF7BG306594
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEF4BG204126
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEF8BG326424
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Base3GYT4LEF6BG247810
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Luxury3GYT4MEF4BG330741
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEF7BG172112
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEF9BG284894
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEF3BG407654
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Luxury3GYT4MEF8BG166216
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Premium3GYT4NEF0BG403514
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT Luxury3GYT4MEF9BG331481