Cadillac · Escalade ESV · 2018
2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV
1
Recall
12
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 1 recall and 12 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 5 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 12 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (5), power train,engine (1), electrical system,forward collision avoidance (1).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 12
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
20.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 18V673000September 26, 2018
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
General 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."
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
Owner Complaints
12 totalENGINE
Jan 21, 2026
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.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS
FIREJul 31, 2025
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
ENGINE
Jul 6, 2025
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 G...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 19, 2025
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 a...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
May 5, 2025
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 wi...
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ENGINE
Mar 12, 2025
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...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Dec 24, 2024
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Jun 29, 2024
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.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
May 31, 2024
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 proper...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Sep 4, 2020
ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE
Showing 10 recent complaints from 12 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Cadillac models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Cadillac Escalade ESV Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV have?
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
NHTSA has received 12 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV are engine (5 reports), power train,engine (1 reports), electrical system,forward collision avoidance (1 reports).
Does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.