2018 Cadillac Escalade
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 19 of 36 complaints (53%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 88 in 2017 to 36 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650 | 3,650 | 4,550 | 4,550 | 4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 21–22 | 15 / 20–22 | 14 / 21–23 | 14 / 21–23 | 14 / 21–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 511–526 | 512–533 | 517–533 | 517–535 | 517–537 | |
| Complaints filed | 104 | 88 | 36 | 57 | 35 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade?
Engine: 19 of 36 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade get?
EPA rates it 17 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Cadillac Escalade?
EPA estimates $4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 10-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 14 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 517 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 10-spd | 8 | 6.2L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 533 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM · Campaign 20V603000 · Oct 3, 2020
Defect: 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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 18V673000 · Oct 2, 2018
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."
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.