SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
2018 Cadillac Escalade
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1,126 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 2 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 4 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 7 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 10 |
| Feb 2025 | 2 | 12 |
| May 2025 | 3 | 15 |
| Jul 2025 | 3 | 18 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 19 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 20 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 21 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1037.0%
- Brakes311.1%
- Powertrain (other)311.1%
- Electrical311.1%
- Exterior lighting27.4%
- Suspension27.4%
- Driver assistance13.7%
- Steering13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESET, FLASHES AND THE TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP WORKING WHILE THE SYSTEM IS CYCLING OR RESTTING, WHILW CHANGING LANES OR IN A MIDDLE OF A TURN
- NHTSA ID
- 11745705
- Incident
- Jun 19, 2026
Had to get cam shaft replaced last year. Now the lifters are going bad
- NHTSA ID
- 11715954
- Incident
- Dec 22, 2025
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 it’s 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 couldn’t believe how a 2018 vehicle was failing engine and again, he told me he has seen 2024 so it shouldn’t be surprising. More to say but will keep simple
- NHTSA ID
- 11695716
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2025
I stopped to get gas and put the car in park. Turned the car off and when I started it back up the car thought it was in drive but was in park still. The gas pedal won’t not work and the car is now stuck in park. The Chevy Caddilac dealership said it is a failed TCM. Part is on back order and I was told there is no eta and could be 7 months to a year before I get my car back.
- NHTSA ID
- 11675316
- Incident
- Jul 21, 2025
On Juy7, 2025 while operating my 2018 Cadillac Escalade, which at the time of the incident had an odometer reading of approximately 57,600 miles. felt an immediate loss of power (inability to accelerate efficiently) and shortly thereafter the amber check engine light flashed on and off and I could hear ticking coming from the engine. Following the aforementioned ,I had th vehicle towed to Turnersville Cadillac in Turnersville ,NJ for evaluation. Upon the vehicle being evaluated I was advised by service mechanics there that I needed a new engine and that the cost would be approximately $17,500 dollars. The cause of this catastrophic engine failure was attributed to lifters failing. Prior to this catastrophic mechanical failure, there were no warning lights or tapping noises and the vehicle was operating normally.
- NHTSA ID
- 11675199
- Incident
- Jul 18, 2025
I had purchased the car [XXX] from dealer "Kars R Us" in Dearborn Heights, Mi. On [XXX], I was driving on a highway at 70 mph with my family when I lost control of gas pedal. There was No warning of any kind! I was in the middle lane at the time and noticed the speedometer was decreasing and gas pedal was not working. For the safety of my family, I had to act fast however panicked. I was able to pull myself over to the far lane off the shoulder and within seconds, the car abruptly shut down, entirely. We barely made it to safety! My family was stranded on the highway, unsafe conditions for approx 3 hrs waiting for a tow truck. I had the car towed to the dealership's mechanic shop, with my family riding alongside. The following day I briefed the dealer about the incident and he recommended that I contact my auto insurance and make a claim. His mechanic diagnosed it as an "engine lock", something triggered it to shut down completely to prevent any more damage is what I was told. The engine would need to be replaced as well. I have since made a claim however, 2 months later and 2 appraisals since, claim was declined. The insurance company claimed that there was "internal damage" to the engine and that was not covered under the policy. I'm not sure what to do, obviously I don't have the $$ for a new engine and the dealership has not made any other recommendations since it was sold "As Is". Please advise!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11673585
- Incident
- Apr 27, 2025
Had to replace the camshafts about 10,000 ago. Vehicle is now having what sounds like lifter clattering. Engine is operating rough when gas is applied. I’ve seen a lot of recalls on 6.2 motors and don’t want my engine to die if it can be helped. I’ve taken the vehicle to my mechanic several times and he thinks it’s the lifters or something more serious. Hopefully the connecting rods aren’t the issue
- NHTSA ID
- 11663291
- Incident
- May 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,142.
- NHTSA ID
- 11659780
- Incident
- May 8, 2025
- Mileage
- 70,142 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights causing IPC warning messages and MIL along with several low speed lan DTCs.
This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 2025 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 47.6 |
| 2024 | 43 | 2 | 3 | 60.4 |
| 2023 | 125 | 4 | 3 | 63.8 |
| 2022 | 73 | 4 | 3 | 71.3 |
| 2021 | 60 | 9 | 4 | 71.6 |
| 2020 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2018Viewing | 21 | 1 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2017 | 50 | 2 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2016 | 88 | 4 | 1 | 63.5 |
| 2015 | 95 | 9 | 1 | 62.8 |
| 2014 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 62.2 |
| 2013 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 56.1 |
| 2012 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2011 | 49 | 6 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 2010 | 38 | 3 | 1 | 49.6 |
| 2009 | 58 | 5 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2008 | 136 | 4 | 3 | 58.1 |
| 2007 | 230 | 4 | 3 | 63.4 |
| 2006 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 41.5 |
| 2005 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2004 | 69 | 4 | 0 | 56.9 |
| 2003 | 81 | 6 | 1 | 56.6 |
| 2002 | 115 | 3 | 3 | 63.7 |
| 2001 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 2000 | 71 | 4 | 3 | 62.2 |
| 1999 | 39 | 5 | 4 | 61.5 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.