2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
167,054 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 15 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine: 9; Electrical System: 4; Seat Belts: 2; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2025: 9; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11374230 · 2020-11-12 (November 12, 2020)
ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11374230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11657910 · 2025-04-30 (April 30, 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 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 fou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11657910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11651225 · 2025-03-28 (March 28, 2025)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11651225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11735860 · 2026-05-05 (May 5, 2026)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11735860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397499 · 2021-02-23 (February 23, 2021)
FRONT STRUTS HAVE FAILED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. GM HAS CHANGED DESIGN ON REPLACEMENT STRUTS WHICH INDICATES THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS AND FIR A NEW VEHICLE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. AFFFECTS STEERING. NO CONTROL ON BUMPY SERVICE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11397499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11657858 · 2025-04-30 (April 30, 2025)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 104,107 miles reported. Look up ODI 11657858 at NHTSA ↗