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When it comes to luxury SUV models, everyone knows about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade. After all, the newest lineup is said to be “made for your comfort,” but owners have something to say about this statement. The faulty powertrain, defective service brakes and shoddy windshield construction set this SUV on the same level as many of the lower quality options.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Suspension | |
| Suspension:front | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Electrical System | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Electronic Stability Control | |
| Steering | |
| Unknown Or Other |
Problems with the Transmission
The powertrain is what produces the energy that keeps the SUV moving. If one component of this system malfunctions, the entire vehicle suffers. That’s exactly what’s found with the transmission on the 2018 Cadillac Escalade.
One Edmunds review states, “This is our fourth and last Cadillac or GM vehicle. The Escalade is a horrible vehicle. The transmission does not shift properly. In fact, the dealer replaced the original transmission at 3000 miles. The mounts have also had to be replaced as well as other parts. The controls are difficult to maneuver. Cadillac customer service in Detroit is the worst anywhere. They never acknowledge any problem, do not attempt to repair anything, and then ask you if you are satisfied. We are in the process of having our arbitration hearing as part of the lemon law process. The Escalade has been at the service shop for almost 60 days over six visits in just 11 months. Do yourself a favor and listen to the reviews. Do not buy or lease an Escalade or any GM product.”
GM isn’t looking to hide any of the powertrain issues from customers. In fact, the automaker has more than 40 powertrain-related communications to technicians. Service Bulletin #16NA019 is one of the prominent communications as it states that the transmission might suffer from low mileage harsh shifts, flares or slips. If this vehicle was designed for comfort, as Cadillac wants people to believe, then it surely wouldn’t have a bucking bronco as a transmission.
Problems with the Brakes
The braking system is part of any vehicle that drivers rely on when it comes time to stop. If this system malfunctions, everyone is suddenly in danger.
That’s exactly what is shown through this NHTSA complaint. “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 OnStar 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 finance. There’s a fast change and lube a mile from where I was, so I slowly pulled into the highway to make it there. Once there even going slow it was hard to stop the vehicle. I pushed the brake as far as it would go to the point it was on the floor, it made a grinding noise. I have never been so scared in my life. Knowing I have had my baby in the car with me.”
GM has done a good job of covering up significant braking issues with the Escalade and has averted any major recalls to this point, but it shouldn’t have. Even the communications within the company suggest that there are concerns over the braking system. Service Bulletin #19NA116 discuss customer concerns about uneven brake pad wear, scraping noises, grinding and pulsing. None of these are normal situations and they certainly don’t provide “comfort.”
Problems with the Windshield
One of the most important aspects for any driver is the ability to see out of the windshield. Without this function, it becomes impossible to drive.
Yet, many drivers are complaining about spontaneous cracks appearing in the windshield. Just read this one review from the NHTSA website. “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.”
If this had been one complaint, it might not have been a big deal, but a quick search of the internet shows that this is a common problem. Again, GM doesn’t want to talk about cracks forming in the windshield but has discussed another issue. Service Bulletin #PIC6086F states that an oily substance can appear on the windshield surface that leaks out of the rearview mirror. To repair it, technicians much remove the moisture sensor, clean the glass and possibly replace the sensor. This doesn’t sound like a solidly-built structure and causes many to believe that the spontaneous cracks are a result of improper manufacturing. This Escalade might be “made for” something, but it wasn’t comfort.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Cadillac pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Sep 30, 2022 |
| State | IN |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Aug 08, 2021 |
| State | WA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Suspension, Suspension:front |
| Date | Feb 23, 2021 |
| State | MN |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Nov 12, 2020 |
| State | MD |
| Description | Engine stop working had to replace whole engine |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Nov 01, 2019 |
| State | KY |
| Description | 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 fianc. There's a fast change lol and lube a mile from where I was, so I slowly pulled into the highway to make it there. Once there even going slow it was hard to stop the vehicle. I pushed the brake as far as it would go to the point it was on the floor, it made a grinding noise. I have never been so scared in my life. Knowing I have had my baby in the car with me. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | May 27, 2019 |
| State | IL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Mar 07, 2019 |
| State | NC |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electronic Stability Control, Steering, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 28, 2018 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 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 crash occurred but an hour later. The vehicle is less than 60 days new. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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My 2018 escalade has a shift problem as well . Ben in at least 5 times. From 2 to 5 days still not fixed , and now they don’t have loaners . It’s my only. Car and I am stranded . Yesterday they told me they drove it and did not see a problem . The problem started around 15000 miles now has 33000 . I have owned 18 new Cadillacs in my life but this will be my last . Randy Marion in Mooresville nc is the worse service dept.I have ever used . Once they took 3 days to change the battery and once the lost my car . Can’t reach the service dept by phone and they have a I don’t care attitude .picking my car up today and heading to Lexus .