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KLUNK
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2018 Cadillac Escalade esv

The Verdict

92 Smooth Ride

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade esv has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (18 complaints) and electrical (7 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 92/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Cadillac Escalade esv, consider the 2024 model year which has 41% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 41% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Cadillac Escalade esv dashboard →

92

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

18V673000 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 ass...

Risk

If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20171415113013
2018437182
2019324202
2020212160
2021729565
2022301416
2023513556
2024120170

By Category

Engine
18
Electrical
7
Body
4
Brakes
3
Transmission
2

By Severity

1
12
2
19
4
3

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 4

We were on our way home from charlotte nc where the suv sat for a week while we were on vacation. Less than an hour of traveling home we smelled something burning so my husband pulled over, turns the suv off, and we looked on the outside at the tires. We didn’t see anything no smoke, no flat tires, so we look back in the suv and there was smoke all inside. We opened my passenger door and the smoke was coming from the door column that houses the seat belt. We had water in a cooler so he poured some on the area and I called 911. While waiting on the fire department the suv was still smoking but he couldn’t get the column cover off to see where it was coming from.Then fire starts flaming up through the melting plastic column so he took more water and poured it on the fire and smothered it with a towel until it went out. The fire department came pulled the seat belt column off and cut the wires and taped them up, then checked the voltage to make sure it was safe for us to drive home since it was only about 15 minutes away and told us not to park it the garage or close to the house so we went straight home and didn’t drive it anymore. Damage is to the seat belt, seat belt column and the electrical harness that goes under the seat. The suv was towed from our house to the dealership Vann York in high point nc. They have looked at the damage and advised the insurance company who is not covering the cause of the fire only the damage to the other parts. No alterations have been made to the suv. I would appreciate your help in this matter. Holly Grove fire department can provide their details as well if needed they are located in Lexington nc. Luckily we were able to get out of the suv before the fire got worse and I would have been stuck because my grandsons car seat is in the next row behind me.

2mo ago
Engine 1

2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum, 6.2L V8 L86 engine, under 100,000 miles. Engine seized and was towed to an authorized GM dealership. Teardown confirmed a spun and twisted rod bearing resulting in complete crankshaft seizure, documented by the dealer as non-serviceable per GM, requiring full engine replacement. Component is available for inspection. Prior to seizure, the vehicle experienced a highway stall preceded by a harmonic balancer failure, belt system failure, and charging system collapse. The vehicle lost propulsion at highway speed, creating a crash risk to myself and other drivers. The failure mode, spun rod bearing with crankshaft damage, is physically identical to the defect documented in GM Safety Recall 25V-274, covering connecting rod and crankshaft manufacturing defects in 6.2L V8 L87 engines in 2021-2024 vehicles. The L86 and L87 are variants of the same Gen V small block architecture with the same bottom end design. I contacted Cadillac Customer Care and requested a Field Technical Specialist review. GM instructed the dealership to delay filing a technical assistance case until my third party warranty determination was made. GM subsequently refused to file any technical case, stating the L86 is not included in the recall and they have no plans to include it. The failure has been confirmed by an authorized GM dealership. I am requesting NHTSA evaluate whether the recall scope should be expanded to include 2018 L86 engines, and whether GM's refusal to conduct technical investigation while directing a third party warranty to absorb a potentially recall-related repair constitutes inadequate recall handling.

2mo ago
Engine 1

Had to get cam shaft replaced last year. Now the lifters are going bad

5mo ago
Engine 2

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.

5mo ago
Body 2

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?

8mo ago
Engine 2

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

8mo ago
Electrical 4

Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness

11mo ago
Engine 1

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 GM engine that has been recalled on other vehicles. I found out that the lifters and cam shaft were bad along with the bearings in my engine. I also had to replace the timing chain. My vehicle only has less than 170,000 miles on it. The car was serviced regularly. A local mechanic has already repaired the problem.

11mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

12mo ago
Engine 2

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.

12mo ago
Engine 2

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)

12mo ago
Engine 2

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

13mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

14mo ago
Engine 2

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.

14mo ago
Engine 2

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 didn’t want to move and started slowing down. Car started shaking. Check engine light wasn’t 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.

14mo ago
Engine 1

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.

14mo ago
Engine 1

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 to be replaced. I became aware of an open recall (25V-274) on the same engine for model years 2021-2024, and think the same manufacturing defect may be responsible for the failure in my 2018 model year. My mechanic tells me his small shop has seen this problem with four other vehicles with the same engine.

14mo ago
Electrical 2

The front cue system has spiderwebs caused by normal sun exposure, all safety radar features don’t work due to electrical defect that makes the car not function perfectly

15mo ago
Engine 1

Pulled out of gas station and in 1/2 mile down the road pulled into oil change facility that I had scheduled to do. Heard a loud ticking of engine that was unfamiliar. Did oil change and engine still had sound after warm up. Pulled oil filter and found metal particles in filter/filter oil.

17mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

17mo ago

34 total

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