2018 Cadillac Escalade Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 10

“Had to get cam shaft replaced last year. Now the lifters are going bad”
NHTSA complaint #11715954, 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…”
NHTSA complaint #11695716, 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…”
NHTSA complaint #11675199, 2025

Electrical System 3

“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 complaint #11745705, 2026

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11607553, 2024

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11210118, 2019

Power Train 3

“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 complaint #11675316, 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…”
NHTSA complaint #11640025, 2025

“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)”
NHTSA complaint #11637223, 2025

Service Brakes 3

“I noticed my brakes started squeaking when I would push the braking pedal. One day, I was pulling up to a bank, drive-through, applying pressure to the brakes, and I had stopped. I let off the break to pull up a little farther, but when reapplying the break, the pedal went all the way to the floor and there was a warning light saying something about servicing the brakes. I immediately picked up my foot and reapplied it to the brake pedal two or three times and the pedal did come back up to normal position. Then stopped me from hitting the car in front of me. The warning light turned off a few…”
NHTSA complaint #11564078, 2023

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11539591, 2023

“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 F…”
NHTSA complaint #11277601, 2019

Exterior Lighting 2

“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 complaint #11745705, 2026

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11487241, 2022

Suspension 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11658065, 2025

“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)”
NHTSA complaint #11637223, 2025

Unknown Or Other 2 1 crash 1 fire

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11163804, 2018 · crash · fire

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11695716, 2025

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1 1 crash 1 fire

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11163804, 2018 · crash · fire

Seats 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11695716, 2025

Steering 1 1 crash 1 fire

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11163804, 2018 · crash · fire

Visibility/Wiper 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11184975, 2019