Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 19 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 29
Against the median year of the Cadillac Escalade ESV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
22.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2018 compares with every other Cadillac Escalade ESV
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
836.4%
Median failure at 104,107 miles
Electrical System
522.7%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 230,000 mi
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
29.1%
Seat Belts
29.1%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Suspension
29.1%
Other & Unspecified
14.5%
Steering
14.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.5%
Median failure at 104,107 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2020peak 3May 2026
Recalls on the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20204592,933 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a reduction in power brake assist due to a decrease in output from the vacuum pump. This could cause a hard brake pedal and create an increase in brake pedal effort that is required to stop the vehicle. Note: This is an expansion of Transport Canada Recall 2019-324. Safety Risk: A sudden increase in brake pedal force could lead to an increase in stopping distance. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to reprogram the electronic brake control module.
Recall 20194205,327 units in Canada
Other
Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.
Recall 2018535780 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles may be equipped with rear seat belt retractors that do not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 208 - Occupant Protection in Frontal Impacts. The automatic-locking retractors (ALR) of the rear seat belts may not switch to a locked position when the seat belt is fully pulled out of the retractor. If used to secure a child seat, a seat belt that is not properly locked could increase the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the rear seat belt retractors and replace them if necessary. Note: If the ALR is not working properly, a child seat should not be installed using the vehicle seat belt until this recall is completed.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Trinity, NCFire
SEAT BELTS
We were on our way home from charlotte nc where the suv sat for a week while we were on vacation. Less than an hour of traveling home we smelled something burning so my husband pulled over, turns the suv off, and we looked on the outside at the tires. We didn’t see anything no smoke, no flat tires, so we look back in the suv and there was smoke all inside. We opened my passenger door and the smoke was coming from the door column that houses the seat belt. We had water in a cooler so he poured some on the area and I called 911. While waiting on the fire department the suv was still smoking but he couldn’t get the column cover off to see where it was coming from.Then fire starts flaming up through the melting plastic column so he took more water and poured it on the fire and smothered it with a towel until it went out. The fire department came pulled the seat belt column off and cut the wires and taped them up, then checked the voltage to make sure it was safe for us to drive home since it was only about 15 minutes away and told us not to park it the garage or close to the house so we went straight home and didn’t drive it anymore. Damage is to the seat belt, seat belt column and the electrical harness that goes under the seat. The suv was towed from our house to the dealership Vann York in high point nc. They have looked at the damage and advised the insurance company who is not covering the cause of the fire only the damage to the other parts. No alterations have been made to the suv. I would appreciate your help in this matter. Holly Grove fire department can provide their details as well if needed they are located in Lexington nc. Luckily we were able to get out of the suv before the fire got worse and I would have been stuck because my grandsons car seat is in the next row behind me.
NHTSA complaint #11735860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trinity, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were on our way home from charlotte nc where the suv sat for a week while we were on vacation. Less than an hour of traveling home we smelled something burning so my husband pulled over, turns the suv off, and we looked on the outside at the tires. We didn’t see anything no smoke, no flat tires, so we look back in the suv and there was smoke all inside. We opened my passenger door and the smoke was coming from the door column that houses the seat belt. We had water in a cooler so he poured some on the area and I called 911. While waiting on the fire department the suv was still smoking but he couldn’t get the column cover off to see where it was coming from.Then fire starts flaming up through the melting plastic column so he took more water and poured it on the fire and smothered it with a towel until it went out. The fire department came pulled the seat belt column off and cut the wires and taped them up, then checked the voltage to make sure it was safe for us to drive home since it was only about 15 minutes away and told us not to park it the garage or close to the house so we went straight home and didn’t drive it anymore. Damage is to the seat belt, seat belt column and the electrical harness that goes under the seat. The suv was towed from our house to the dealership Vann York in high point nc. They have looked at the damage and advised the insurance company who is not covering the cause of the fire only the damage to the other parts. No alterations have been made to the suv. I would appreciate your help in this matter. Holly Grove fire department can provide their details as well if needed they are located in Lexington nc. Luckily we were able to get out of the suv before the fire got worse and I would have been stuck because my grandsons car seat is in the next row behind me.
NHTSA complaint #11735860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MIFire
SEAT BELTS
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
NHTSA complaint #11678661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MIFire
STEERING
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
NHTSA complaint #11678661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
NHTSA complaint #11678661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Trinity, NCFire
SEAT BELTS
We were on our way home from charlotte nc where the suv sat for a week while we were on vacation. Less than an hour of traveling home we smelled something burning so my husband pulled over, turns the suv off, and we looked on the outside at the tires. We didn’t see anything no smoke, no flat tires, so we look back in the suv and there was smoke all inside. We opened my passenger door and the smoke was coming from the door column that houses the seat belt. We had water in a cooler so he poured some on the area and I called 911. While waiting on the fire department the suv was still smoking but he couldn’t get the column cover off to see where it was coming from.Then fire starts flaming up through the melting plastic column so he took more water and poured it on the fire and smothered it with a towel until it went out. The fire department came pulled the seat belt column off and cut the wires and taped them up, then checked the voltage to make sure it was safe for us to drive home since it was only about 15 minutes away and told us not to park it the garage or close to the house so we went straight home and didn’t drive it anymore. Damage is to the seat belt, seat belt column and the electrical harness that goes under the seat. The suv was towed from our house to the dealership Vann York in high point nc. They have looked at the damage and advised the insurance company who is not covering the cause of the fire only the damage to the other parts. No alterations have been made to the suv. I would appreciate your help in this matter. Holly Grove fire department can provide their details as well if needed they are located in Lexington nc. Luckily we were able to get out of the suv before the fire got worse and I would have been stuck because my grandsons car seat is in the next row behind me.
NHTSA complaint #11735860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trinity, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were on our way home from charlotte nc where the suv sat for a week while we were on vacation. Less than an hour of traveling home we smelled something burning so my husband pulled over, turns the suv off, and we looked on the outside at the tires. We didn’t see anything no smoke, no flat tires, so we look back in the suv and there was smoke all inside. We opened my passenger door and the smoke was coming from the door column that houses the seat belt. We had water in a cooler so he poured some on the area and I called 911. While waiting on the fire department the suv was still smoking but he couldn’t get the column cover off to see where it was coming from.Then fire starts flaming up through the melting plastic column so he took more water and poured it on the fire and smothered it with a towel until it went out. The fire department came pulled the seat belt column off and cut the wires and taped them up, then checked the voltage to make sure it was safe for us to drive home since it was only about 15 minutes away and told us not to park it the garage or close to the house so we went straight home and didn’t drive it anymore. Damage is to the seat belt, seat belt column and the electrical harness that goes under the seat. The suv was towed from our house to the dealership Vann York in high point nc. They have looked at the damage and advised the insurance company who is not covering the cause of the fire only the damage to the other parts. No alterations have been made to the suv. I would appreciate your help in this matter. Holly Grove fire department can provide their details as well if needed they are located in Lexington nc. Luckily we were able to get out of the suv before the fire got worse and I would have been stuck because my grandsons car seat is in the next row behind me.
NHTSA complaint #11735860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashburn, VA
ENGINE
2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum, 6.2L V8 L86 engine, under 100,000 miles. Engine seized and was towed to an authorized GM dealership. Teardown confirmed a spun and twisted rod bearing resulting in complete crankshaft seizure, documented by the dealer as non-serviceable per GM, requiring full engine replacement. Component is available for inspection. Prior to seizure, the vehicle experienced a highway stall preceded by a harmonic balancer failure, belt system failure, and charging system collapse. The vehicle lost propulsion at highway speed, creating a crash risk to myself and other drivers. The failure mode, spun rod bearing with crankshaft damage, is physically identical to the defect documented in GM Safety Recall 25V-274, covering connecting rod and crankshaft manufacturing defects in 6.2L V8 L87 engines in 2021-2024 vehicles. The L86 and L87 are variants of the same Gen V small block architecture with the same bottom end design. I contacted Cadillac Customer Care and requested a Field Technical Specialist review. GM instructed the dealership to delay filing a technical assistance case until my third party warranty determination was made. GM subsequently refused to file any technical case, stating the L86 is not included in the recall and they have no plans to include it. The failure has been confirmed by an authorized GM dealership. I am requesting NHTSA evaluate whether the recall scope should be expanded to include 2018 L86 engines, and whether GM's refusal to conduct technical investigation while directing a third party warranty to absorb a potentially recall-related repair constitutes inadequate recall handling.
NHTSA complaint #11735157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE
Traction light and engine light flashing at 95,900 miles took Cadillac ESV to authorized dealer and he advised their was a misfire on cylinder 3 after several attemps to repair now advising he hear a knocking in engine that needs to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11715103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trenton, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Cue system delamenated cracking glass options not working correctly Many recalls for cue GPS entertainment system in all Cadillacs. This needs to be addressed because safety system backing up doesn't work properly. Cadillac has had problems with this part since 2014 recall and with lemon law class action on many Cadillacs for this same problem. Even if I purchase new cue laminated glass still happens in gel on glass. This is a major flaw and Cadillac knows there is a major problem .1500.00 for new cue system and problem still happening because of weather where car sits .the government needs to address because it's a safety issue when system doesn't work. Heat wont work cameras or radio! What can I do? Please help me?
NHTSA complaint #11698007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MIFire
SEAT BELTS
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
NHTSA complaint #11678661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MIFire
STEERING
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
NHTSA complaint #11678661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
NHTSA complaint #11678661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, TN
ENGINE
Engine started making strange noises and i had to pull over due to it not driving correctly. I was stranded two hours from home. There were no warning lights. I have a video of the noise it was making. Upon getting it towed back to a local mechanic I was told I have the 6.2 GM engine that has been recalled on other vehicles. I found out that the lifters and cam shaft were bad along with the bearings in my engine. I also had to replace the timing chain. My vehicle only has less than 170,000 miles on it. The car was serviced regularly. A local mechanic has already repaired the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11676804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 108,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 230,000.
NHTSA complaint #11661811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,107 milesMiami, FL
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was stiff, and the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to exceed 35 MPH while driving. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to properly shift to driver(D) from park(P). The contact stated that the check engine, low oil pressure, and TPMS warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,107.
NHTSA complaint #11657858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,107 milesMiami, FL
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was stiff, and the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to exceed 35 MPH while driving. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to properly shift to driver(D) from park(P). The contact stated that the check engine, low oil pressure, and TPMS warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,107.
NHTSA complaint #11657858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hutto, TX
ENGINE
There was an internal failure in the engine causing loss of power, misfire, and loud knocking from inside the engine. Check engine light came out and the car was shut-off and towed to a repair facility. The facility found metal shavings in the oil filter and said the engine needs to be replaced. I became aware of an open recall (25V-274) on the same engine for model years 2021-2024, and think the same manufacturing defect may be responsible for the failure in my 2018 model year. My mechanic tells me his small shop has seen this problem with four other vehicles with the same engine.
NHTSA complaint #11657910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features don’t work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly
NHTSA complaint #11651225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, OH
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features don’t work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly
NHTSA complaint #11651225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features don’t work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly
NHTSA complaint #11651225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellmore, NY
ENGINE
When I started car I heard knocking. Engine failure. According to mechanic the lifter, rod and camshaft are bent. The car was always serviced and had regular oil change according to owners manual. The dealer recommends a new engine
NHTSA complaint #11637765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stout, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasn’t. (Different occasion unknown related 5k miles later) The motor has to be replaced because the piston. Which in return caused the rest of the motor to fail.
NHTSA complaint #11636771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stout, OH
ENGINE
The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasn’t. (Different occasion unknown related 5k miles later) The motor has to be replaced because the piston. Which in return caused the rest of the motor to fail.
NHTSA complaint #11636771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Grove, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT STRUTS HAVE FAILED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. GM HAS CHANGED DESIGN ON REPLACEMENT STRUTS WHICH INDICATES THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS AND FIR A NEW VEHICLE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. AFFFECTS STEERING. NO CONTROL ON BUMPY SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #11397499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Grove, MN
SUSPENSION
FRONT STRUTS HAVE FAILED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. GM HAS CHANGED DESIGN ON REPLACEMENT STRUTS WHICH INDICATES THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS AND FIR A NEW VEHICLE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. AFFFECTS STEERING. NO CONTROL ON BUMPY SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #11397499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cumberland, MD
ENGINE
ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11374230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.