2018 Cadillac Escalade Esv problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (8) · Suspension:front (1) · Steering (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Escalade Esv model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Seat Belts:rear/Other 2018-09-26 · campaign 18V673000 · 15,800 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (996)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 996 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-05 · Seat Belts · 🔥 fire“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…”
2026-05-01 · Engine“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 inspec…”
2026-02-02 · Engine“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.…”
2025-11-06 · Unknown Or Other“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. eve…”
2025-08-06 · Steering · 🔥 fire“vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness …”
2025-07-28 · Engine“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 th…”
2025-05-19 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 230,000 mi“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…”
2025-04-30 · Engine“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 sam…”
2025-04-30 · Power Train · 104,107 mi“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 …”
2025-03-28 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.