2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV has 14 complaints and 1 recall filed with NHTSA. Owners frequently report engine failures, including sudden shutdowns and internal mechanical damage such as piston and camshaft issues. Several complaints concern defects in the front cue system and electrical problems affecting safety radar features. Reports also include steering difficulties, power loss, and ignition or shifting malfunctions. There are multiple incidents of vehicle fires related to the seatbelt harness.
Common Issues
- Engine shutdown. Vehicles shut off suddenly without warning while driving at highway speeds, often causing loss of power and requiring engine replacement.
- Engine mechanical failure. Reports describe piston, lifter, rod, and camshaft damage leading to complete engine failure despite regular maintenance and oil changes.
- Front cue system defects. Spiderweb cracking on displays attributed to sun exposure renders safety radar features inoperative due to electrical defects.
- Steering and power loss. Stiff steering wheels combined with reduced power output, limiting speeds to about 35 MPH, and occasional gear shifting problems from park to drive.
- Warning lights illumination. Check engine, low oil pressure, and tire pressure monitoring system warnings remain illuminated during vehicle malfunctions.
- Metal contamination in oil. Metal shavings discovered in oil filters coincide with knocking noises and power loss, necessitating engine replacement.
- Timing chain and related parts failure. Lifter, camshaft, bearings, and timing chain damages reported requiring repairs on vehicles with under 170,000 miles and consistent maintenance.
- Vehicle fire incidents. Multiple occurrences of fires originating within the seatbelt harness area.
- Odometer discrepancy. One owner identified mileage inconsistencies during vehicle registration, indicating possible odometer fraud in a private sale.
The single recall affects the seatbelts and involves a safety defect related to rear seatbelt retractor assemblies. This section provides recall details related to occupant protection systems.
Recalls
- Seatbelt retractors. NHTSA recall 18V673000 affects approximately 15,800 vehicles including the 2018 Escalade ESV. Rear seatbelt retractors may not lock automatically when fully extended, risking improper child seat securing. The defect fails FMVSS 208 standards. GM notifies owners and dealers will inspect and replace retractors if needed at no cost. The recall started November 7, 2018. There is no "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory associated with this recall.
Owners facing repeated engine failures, electrical malfunctions impacting safety features, or unresolved recall repairs may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with a qualified attorney can help assess potential claims and protections available for persistent vehicle defects.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV Summary
2018
Model Year
14
Total Complaints
1
Total Recalls
15800
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
15800 vehicles affected
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 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.
Complaints
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2117082STEERING
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2117081SEAT BELTS
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2117080ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle caught fire in seatbelt harness
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2114364ENGINE
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.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2092717ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
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.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2087165ENGINE
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.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2087092POWER TRAIN
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.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2087091ENGINE
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.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2077592FORWARD 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
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2077591FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
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
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2077590ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2058061ENGINE
When I started car I heard knocking. Engine failure. According to mechanic the lifter, rod and camshaft are bent. The car was always serviced and had regular oil change according to owners manual. The dealer recommends a new engine
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2056642ENGINE
The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasn’t. (Different occasion unknown related 5k miles later) The motor has to be replaced because the piston. Which in return caused the rest of the motor to fail.
2018 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
ID: 2056641ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasn’t. (Different occasion unknown related 5k miles later) The motor has to be replaced because the piston. Which in return caused the rest of the motor to fail.