Is the 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV reliable?

The 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV has 22 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV?

Top problems: ENGINE (8 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (5 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV is approximately $2,100/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV has 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is engine problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: engine stop working had to replace whole engine. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

8 complaints

36%

• ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE
• 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.
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER26/09/2018

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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,100

Full coverage / month

$175

Liability only / year

$696

vs US avg

+25%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2100

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2018 ESCALADE ESV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 22 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: ENGINE STOP WORKING HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)