2018 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade has 26 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve engine and service brakes.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 26 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ENGINE
9 34.6%
SERVICE BRAKES
3 11.5%
POWER TRAIN
3 11.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 7.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 7.7%
Quick Insights
The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 34.6% 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
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade has 26 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 35% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade are ENGINE (9), SERVICE BRAKES (3), POWER TRAIN (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 17 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?
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
9 Reports35% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Cam shaft lifters are failing. Cam shaft needs to be rebuilt. Rough idle and tick sound from engine. Can cause catalytic converter to stop working and is hazardous and not solving right away can cause further damage to vehicle and damage vehicle while driving. Many have reported same problems.
8/8/2021
I paid 8600 on my engine for lifters exc...in 2022 the now in 2025 I was told I need a new engine [XXX] The whole engine is messed up INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
1/21/2025
SERVICE BRAKES
3 Reports12% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME, AND I WASN'T GOING FAST OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BAD ESPECIALLY HAVING MY SON WITH ME. MY BRAKES LITERALLY QUIT WORKING. I HAVE A 2018 PLATINUM ESCALADE. ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED TO DATE. I CALLED ON STAR AND NOW WAITING ON A ROLL BACK TO TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION WITH MY SON AND FELT LIKE I COULDN'T STOP BUT THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING WAS SLICK, I DROPPED HIM OFF TO HIS GRANDMA, PULLED INTO MCDONALD'S DRIVE THRU WHEN IT DID IT AGAIN. I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVE THEN AND CALLED MY FIANC. THERE'S A FAST CHANGE LOL AND LUBE A MILE FROM WHERE I WAS, SO I SLOWLY PULLED INTO THE HIGHWAY TO MAKE IT THERE. ONCE THERE EVEN GOING SLOW IT WAS HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I PUSHED THE BRAKE AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO TO THE POINT IT WAS ON THE FLOOR, IT MADE A GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE. KNOWING I HAVE HAD MY BABY IN THE CAR WITH ME.
11/1/2019
I was pulling forward in a parking garage and it nearly pinned a pedestrian into a parked car. The brakes didn't respond as normal. I had to put most of my weight on the pedal to bring the car to a stop. It was really scary. I took it to the dealer and they said it is a known issue covered under warranty and has to do with a vacuum pump used in the electronic brake system. I thought this was reckless and it should be fixed and not wait until a serious incident. The service advisor [XXX] from Tom Kelly Cadillac, Fort Wayne, IN) even commented that it scared him the first time he drove a customer's car with this issue. He was shocked how hard it was to stop. If this hasn't already, it will cost someone their life. Please help!!! I don't want someone to die for a known issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
8/19/2023
POWER TRAIN
3 Reports12% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I paid 8600 on my engine for lifters exc...in 2022 the now in 2025 I was told I need a new engine [XXX] The whole engine is messed up INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
1/21/2025
Escalade would experience loss of acceleration 15-20mph under light/moderate throttle, appear to go in to neutral when going from 3rd to 4th (best I can tell,) and then slam in to gear. While doing 50-55mph Escalade would have a converter shudder or go in and out of neutral. This would leave me unable to accelerate if needed and would place me in a precarious position if I was turning out in traffic or needed change speeds. On a repeat trip to the dealer it was determined there was metal in the transmission pan and exact source of metal was not able to be identified. It never triggered a check engine light or any other visible warning. Transmission was replaced with partial cost assistance from Gm and is back to operating properly.
2/1/2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING THE 2018 ESCALADE ESV RWD ON INTERSTATE 87 NORTH YESTERDAY, DRIVING ABOUT 33MPH, THE ESCALADE SUDDENLY SWERVED LEFT AND SLID INTO THE MEDIAN AND THEN ROLLED OVER ON ITS ROOF. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I NOTED I HAD RECEIVED DIAGNOSTIC ONSTAR EMAILS THAT MORNING WHILE DRIVING THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITRAK AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WERE EXPERIENCING ISSUES. I ALSO PHONED ONSTAR TODAY ABOUT IF AND WHEN THEY RECEIVED A CRASH NOTIFICATION. THE CRASH NOTIFICATION DID NOT OCCUR WITH ONSTAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK OVER, NOT WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED BUT AN HOUR LATER. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 60 DAYS NEW.
12/28/2018
It been twice that I have experienced lifters issues and damage caused to engine because of these. First time I fixed it in a NY mechanic shop because dealer workflow and expecting dates (all lifters, crankshaft, and seals were replaced new), less than 1 year later again the lifters failed (2) but this time ruined my engine. Went to local GM dealership and asked at service department if they could fix it complementary due to all reported lifters issues from GM as we all can see online and rejected my offer. So far vehicle is still not fixed and itâs been 5 months in shop looking ways to see if engine could be solved but have to replaced. Also on the Escalade 2018 the seats (middle seat row and 3rd are really being noisy, I purchased vehicle 3 years ago with about 80K miles but these seats are not fully locked in the bottom and metal with metal makes sounds on bumps and bricks streets. When purchased I used to take vehicle to dealer but actually it continues with issues and I just lost confidence and pricing and turnaround were not convenient. Unfortunately, the 2018 Escalade is the worst vehicle decision I have made in my life. When told service manager that I couldnât believe how a 2018 vehicle was failing engine and again, he told me he has seen 2024 so it shouldnât be surprising. More to say but will keep simple
10/27/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MOON ROOF DRAIN LINE OBSTRUCTED POSSIBLE PINCHED DURING MANUFACTURE. DRIPPING BROUGHT TO DEALERS ATTENTION . SERVICE TECNITION MAY HAVE APPLIED AIR PRESSURE TO DRAIN LINE BURSTING IT. WATER FROM RAIN THEN LEAKED ON ELECTRONICS PACKAGE UNDER DRIVER SIDE DASH. DRIVER BECAME LOCKED IN AUTO DUE TO WET MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC PACKAGE. POSSIBLE HAZARD IN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
5/27/2019
On July 28th 2024 my wife backed the vehicle out of the garage and the vehicle locked out the steering wheel. The cluster and gauges went completely out. The vehicle did not start or turn on after that point. It was no longer drivable as we could no longer start the vehicle. The vehicle had to be towed to Penske Cadillac of Torrance where it took them a week to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle fuse box went out which locked out the steering wheel if my wife would of been driving the vehicle she would of been involved in a major accident. The problem was confirmed by the dealer a new fuse box was installed. I have the fuse box here as I requested it to follow up with the NHTSA. There was no warning that the vehicle had any malfuncitons. All electircal componenets and steering went out suddenly and abruplty.
8/9/2024
SUSPENSION
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I paid 8600 on my engine for lifters exc...in 2022 the now in 2025 I was told I need a new engine [XXX] The whole engine is messed up INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
1/21/2025
2018 Escalade with 84 k miles. First issue was the front struts went out at around 80k miles 3200 repair. Second issue which is the major issue. Was driving and started hearing a clicking noise as I pressed on gas the car didnât want to move and started slowing down. Car started shaking. Check engine light wasnât on. Drove straight to dealership and was told I had a bent push rod and my lifters would need to be repairs and possibly cam shaft. Was quoted 8-13 thousand dollars. Car got regular oil changes and premium gas only since day 1.
5/1/2025
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING THE 2018 ESCALADE ESV RWD ON INTERSTATE 87 NORTH YESTERDAY, DRIVING ABOUT 33MPH, THE ESCALADE SUDDENLY SWERVED LEFT AND SLID INTO THE MEDIAN AND THEN ROLLED OVER ON ITS ROOF. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I NOTED I HAD RECEIVED DIAGNOSTIC ONSTAR EMAILS THAT MORNING WHILE DRIVING THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITRAK AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WERE EXPERIENCING ISSUES. I ALSO PHONED ONSTAR TODAY ABOUT IF AND WHEN THEY RECEIVED A CRASH NOTIFICATION. THE CRASH NOTIFICATION DID NOT OCCUR WITH ONSTAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK OVER, NOT WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED BUT AN HOUR LATER. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 60 DAYS NEW.
12/28/2018
STEERING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING THE 2018 ESCALADE ESV RWD ON INTERSTATE 87 NORTH YESTERDAY, DRIVING ABOUT 33MPH, THE ESCALADE SUDDENLY SWERVED LEFT AND SLID INTO THE MEDIAN AND THEN ROLLED OVER ON ITS ROOF. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I NOTED I HAD RECEIVED DIAGNOSTIC ONSTAR EMAILS THAT MORNING WHILE DRIVING THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITRAK AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WERE EXPERIENCING ISSUES. I ALSO PHONED ONSTAR TODAY ABOUT IF AND WHEN THEY RECEIVED A CRASH NOTIFICATION. THE CRASH NOTIFICATION DID NOT OCCUR WITH ONSTAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK OVER, NOT WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED BUT AN HOUR LATER. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 60 DAYS NEW.
12/28/2018
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
AN 8 INCH CRACK MYSTERIOUSLY APPEARED FROM THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE NO EXTERNAL MARKS ON THE SURFACE OF THE GLASS. JUST NOTICED AS WE WERE TURNING INTO OUR GARAGE.
3/7/2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The low beam headlights are too bright. I get flashed constantly, and then some drivers leave their bright lights on, blinding me, and creating a dangerous driving situation. Almost crashed last night due to being blinded by oncoming vehicle.
9/30/2022
SEATS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
It been twice that I have experienced lifters issues and damage caused to engine because of these. First time I fixed it in a NY mechanic shop because dealer workflow and expecting dates (all lifters, crankshaft, and seals were replaced new), less than 1 year later again the lifters failed (2) but this time ruined my engine. Went to local GM dealership and asked at service department if they could fix it complementary due to all reported lifters issues from GM as we all can see online and rejected my offer. So far vehicle is still not fixed and itâs been 5 months in shop looking ways to see if engine could be solved but have to replaced. Also on the Escalade 2018 the seats (middle seat row and 3rd are really being noisy, I purchased vehicle 3 years ago with about 80K miles but these seats are not fully locked in the bottom and metal with metal makes sounds on bumps and bricks streets. When purchased I used to take vehicle to dealer but actually it continues with issues and I just lost confidence and pricing and turnaround were not convenient. Unfortunately, the 2018 Escalade is the worst vehicle decision I have made in my life. When told service manager that I couldnât believe how a 2018 vehicle was failing engine and again, he told me he has seen 2024 so it shouldnât be surprising. More to say but will keep simple
10/27/2025
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?
Are complaints about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade?
Are complaints about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac Escalade: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 26
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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