2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv Steering Control Module Recall (21V455)
General Motors, LLC · 26,847 vehicles · Reported June 17, 2021
General Motors, LLC is recalling 26,847 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Cadillac Escalade NA; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 21V455 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V455000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | N212333900 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 17, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Cadillac Escalade NA; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL |
| Units affected | 26,847 |
| Component | Steering > Steering Control Module |
| Safety risk | Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv in recall 21V455?
A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
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 startup or while driving.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Escalade Esv with recall 21V455?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the steering control module.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V455?
Recall 21V455 covers 26,847 vehicles: 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Cadillac Escalade NA; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL.
NHTSA lists 26,847 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Cadillac | Escalade Esv |
| 2021 | Cadillac | Escalade NA |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Suburban |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Tahoe |
| 2021 | GMC | Yukon |
| 2021 | GMC | Yukon XL |
What is the fix for the Escalade Esv steering control module recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
When was recall 21V455 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 21V455 to NHTSA on June 17, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as July 13, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 17, 2021 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V455000. |
| July 13, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 64 months ago. If your Escalade Esv was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Escalade Esv is part of recall 21V455?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V455 is open on your Escalade Esv, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V455000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Escalade Esv owners do about recall 21V455?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V455000 applies to your Escalade Esv.
- Call a Cadillac dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the steering control module happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Escalade Esv owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,296 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 33 of them about the steering.
Since recall 21V455 was reported on June 17, 2021, owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 2 of them (7%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the steering and were received on or after June 17, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related steering issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,296 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 33 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe: 453 complaints in total, 14 about the steering
- 2021 GMC Yukon: 331 complaints in total, 11 about the steering
- 2021 GMC Yukon XL: 226 complaints in total, 4 about the steering
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban: 198 complaints in total, 3 about the steering
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv: 71 complaints in total, 1 about the steering
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade NA: 17 complaints in total, 0 about the steering
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety issue involving my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine. The vehicle has experienced a recurring problem related to the engine wiring harness. While driving, the vehicle will unexpectedly stall without warning.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner, NE, NHTSA complaint 11725782, filed March 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but was a recurring failure. There was no warning light illuminated.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11727466, filed March 27, 2026
The computer component surged, and the vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle brake function is lost. Stepping on the brake paddle did not apply brake. Brake function was disabled by the computer. I took the vehicle to dealer, they said it was a component that has high resistance that cause it.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11541953, filed August 31, 2023
Can recall 21V455 make my Escalade Esv a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this steering control module recall means their Escalade Esv qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A steering problem on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv is the kind of safety defect that California law treats seriously. Fewer repair attempts may be needed for a claim than with a comfort or convenience defect.
This recall is handled by an over-the-air software update, so many owners never visit a dealer. If the problem returns after the update, take the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up on a repair order. An update that does not work is still a failed repair.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Escalade Esv been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Cadillac Escalade Esv recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V455
Did the recall 21V455 fix work?
Since recall 21V455 was reported on June 17, 2021, owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 2 of them (7%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed July 13, 2021.
Is the 21V455000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Escalade Esv is part of recall 21V455000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V455000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.