2018 Cadillac ESCALADE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
35,290 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 21 complaints (47.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
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 | 10 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Engine: 10; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Suspension: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 10; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11163804 · 2018-12-28 (December 28, 2018)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184975 · 2019-03-07 (March 7, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11210118 · 2019-05-27 (May 27, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11210118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11277601 · 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 48,942 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428248 · 2021-08-08 (August 8, 2021)
Cam shaft lifters are failing. Cam shaft needs to be rebuilt. Rough idle and tick sound from engine. Can cause catalytic converter to stop working and is hazardous and not solving right away can cause further damage to vehicle and damage vehicle while driving. Many have reported same problems.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487241 · 2022-09-30 (September 30, 2022)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539591 · 2023-08-19 (August 19, 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 comme…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11564078 · 2024-01-08 (January 8, 2024)
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 i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11564078 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V603000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2020-10-01 (October 1, 2020)
General 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.
Consequence: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
NHTSA campaign record ↗