Photo: BrianBoardman from Alexandria VA / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2018 Cadillac Escalade: common problems and reliability
· 4th generationOne of the better Escalade years.
57 owner complaints, most about engine. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Escalade?The 2018 Cadillac Escalade has 57 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag afm/dod lifter failure requiring camshaft and lifter replacement.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Cadillac Escalade vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Escalade years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Escalade?
Across the 28 Escalade model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2001) to 802 (2007). With 57 complaints, the 2018 Escalade sits below the model's median of 162.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Escalade
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 20V603000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
seat belts:rear/other
Campaign 18V673000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
What owners report on the 4th generation Escalade
Owner sentiment for the 2014-2020 Escalade is mixed and heavily dependent on model year.
- Very frequentAFM/DOD lifter failure requiring camshaft and lifter replacement
- Very frequentTransmission shudder, harsh shifts, and torque converter issues (8L90 and 10L80)
- RecurrentMagnetic ride control shock/strut failure and high replacement cost
- RecurrentCUE infotainment screen cracking and touchscreen malfunction
- RecurrentBrake wear requiring replacement every 20-25k miles due to vehicle weight
Owner insights for the 4th generation Escalade. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Escalade listings typically run $25,495–$67,314.
Other Escalade model years
Compare every Escalade year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escalade against its rivals
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