2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 18 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve engine and electrical system.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 18 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ENGINE
6 33.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 16.7%
SUSPENSION
1 5.6%
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1 5.6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 5.6%
Quick Insights
The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 33.3% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 11 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 18 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 33% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV are ENGINE (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3), SUSPENSION (1).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 13 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 11 of 11 systems
ENGINE
6 Reports33% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE
11/12/2020
The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasnât. (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.
1/18/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasnât. (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.
1/18/2025
The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features donât work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly
3/28/2025
SUSPENSION
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
2/23/2021
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
2/23/2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features donât work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly
3/28/2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features donât work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly
3/28/2025
POWER TRAIN
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
4/30/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
5/19/2025
SEAT BELTS
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
8/6/2025
STEERING
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
8/6/2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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?
11/6/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Are complaints about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Are complaints about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac Escalade ESV: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 18
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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