Is the 2018 Cadillac XTS reliable?

The 2018 Cadillac XTS has 7 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Cadillac XTS?

Top problems: OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (2 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Cadillac XTS?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Cadillac XTS?

The 2018 Cadillac XTS gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Cadillac XTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Cadillac XTS is approximately $2,014/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 XTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2018 Cadillac XTS has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 25. The most common issue is other problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: for the second time, i can't get into or start my car after it's sat unused for a few days. the first time, cadillac told me how to open the car. then, i attempted unsuccessfully to jump start it. the dealership replaced the battery. when it happened the second time, the dealership said they did. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 4 of 4)

OTHER

3 complaints

43%

• FOR THE SECOND TIME, I CAN'T GET INTO OR START MY CAR AFTER IT'S SAT UNUSED FOR A FEW DAYS. THE FIRST TIME, CADILLAC TOLD ME HOW TO OPEN THE CAR. THEN, I ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO JUMP START IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID
• CADILLAC USER EXPERIENCE (CUE) CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION AFTER RECALL UPDATES WERE INSTALLED. VEHICLE HAS HAD 4 ATTEMPTED REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE DEFECT PROBLEM STILL PERSIST AND PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK AS VISIBILITY TO HAZARDS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ARE IMPAIRED AND IN SOME CASES REDUCED T
• The screen on the CUE system cracked, spider web cracked. Under no particular conditions. I got in it one day and it was like that. The car is parked in a garage unless driven. I asked the dealership about this and if there was a recall. The dealership said they have had a lot of complaints about th

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

“FOR THE SECOND TIME, I CAN'T GET INTO OR START MY CAR AFTER IT'S SAT UNUSED FOR A FEW DAYS. THE FIRST TIME, CADILLAC TOLD ME HOW TO OPEN THE CAR. THEN, I ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO JUMP START IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER30/08/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, 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 18279.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Cadillac XTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Cadillac XTS

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

$2,014

Full coverage / month

$168

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+20%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2014

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 XTS, 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: FOR THE SECOND TIME, I CAN'T GET INTO OR START MY CAR AFTER IT'S SAT UNUSED FOR A FEW DAYS. THE FIRST TIME, CADILLAC TOLD ME HOW TO OPEN THE CAR. THEN, I ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO JUMP START IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 CADILLAC XTS FROM ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AHEAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: INFOTAINMENT CENTER MALFUNCTIONING. CLIMATE CONTROL, BACKUP CAMERA AND NEARLY EVERY CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY FEATURE DISABLED. CADILLAC HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX 5 TIMES AND NOW SAYS THAT IT CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. CADILLAC ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. SCREEN PIXELATES AND/OR GOES BLACK WHEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: In November of 2022 I noticed that after I would fill my 2018 Cadillac with fuel that it was extremely difficult to start. This same issue I had over the previous 4 years with my 2012 Buick Lacrosse twice and each time it was a GM #12690512 Vapor canister Purge Valve each time at over $300.00 to cor
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)