Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Cadillac Escalade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
It is clearly outlined on the GM and NHTSA websites that my specific vehicle has a defective airbag by the Takata corporation based on a finding in 2016. I do not understand why I am not allowed to make my vehicle safe and must "wait" per the GM website which states recall status is: incomplete. Remedy not yet available. What do I need to do to get the airbags replaced with safe ones in order to make my vehicle safe for me and my family to drive in? Let this be notice that if anything happens to me or my family due to the three (3) year delay and current remedy of "not yet available" to make my vehicle safe I will take all appropriate legal action against all parties involved!! I want my vehicle approved to be repaired!!
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the service air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The lake genieva Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 127,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 [redacted] '
My vehicle is part od a Takata air bag recall and GM refuses to do anything about it. I have called periodically asking when the repair would happen and was told it is being phased in and I will get a notice.I just called again and the new answer is that GM doesn't think they should have to replace this and will not do anything until their objection can be resolved. They will not commit to replacing my recalled airbag.
My vehicle has a recall on it for the Takata airbags. I spoke to general motors (conversation #[redacted]) and they said there is nothing that can be done until NHTSA provides a solution. The fact remains I am driving a vehicle with an outstanding recall that I can't get fixed.
Takata recall GM recall #: 2049151 NHTSA # 16V381 date issued: May 27, 2016 recall title: passenger airbag inflators recall description: Takata corporation ('Takata') has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 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 2500/3500 and GMC sierra 2500/3500 vehicles. This is based upon Takata's decision that front passenger airbag inflators it supplied to GM are defective. GM has submitted to NHTSA a petition for inconsequentiality and NHTSA has granted GM until August 2017 to complete its investigation and to submit all data supporting the petition. If the petition is denied, GM will conduct a recall of the airbag inflators covered by Takata's defect information report. …
Nothing has happened other than there is a current airbag recall on this vehicle. Many other makes and models also have this Takata airbag issue and they have been fixed/or replaced and the recall is lifted. Yet Cadillac/GM is still refusing to have this done so I am currently driving a vehicle which the NHTSA says it not safe yet Cadillac says it is and no one has taken the step forward to remedy this problem. My husband recently passed away in a horrifying manner and all I want to do is give my stepson who lives in Canada (I live in los angeles) I just want to give my stepson his fathers truck and because no one wished to solve this problem I am unable to do this. I simply cannot understand how the NHTSA can allow us to drive a vehicle they deem to be unsafe yet not force Cadillac/GM to solve this problem they feel is no problem. …
Tl* 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 contact contacted massey Cadillac - north orlando 4241 n john young pkwy, orlando, fl 32804 where they informed the contact that the parts was available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact that they was waiting for NHTSA response. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bags warning light illuminated continuously. Vehicle has been repaired.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone], but the call would not connect, the contact believed the phone number no longer worked. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called devoe Cadillac (4100 tamiami trail n, naples, fl 34103, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case numbers: 95436748446 and 83462162907. No further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Airbag complaints in other Escalade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Cadillac Escalade?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, 69% of the model year's 49 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Cadillac Escalade airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-054 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-050 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Cadillac Escalade airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.