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2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 21 owner complaints, and gets about 17 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD at a glance
- Engine
- 8-cyl 6.2L
- Cylinders
- 8
- Displacement
- 6.2 L
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 10-spd
- Body
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Fuel
- Premium
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 12, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
1 openService Brakes, Hydraulic
01/10/2020
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.
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 12, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
21 filed- 7
ENGINE
Had to get cam shaft replaced last year. Now the lifters are going bad
- 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESET, FLASHES AND THE TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP WORKING WHILE THE SYSTEM IS CYCLING OR RESTTING, WHILW CHANGING LANES OR IN A MIDDLE OF A TURN
- 3
SERVICE BRAKES
I noticed my brakes started squeaking when I would push the braking pedal. One day, I was pulling up to a bank, drive-through, applying pressure to the brakes, and I had stopped. I let off the break to pull up a little farther, but when rea
- 2
POWER TRAIN
I stopped to get gas and put the car in park. Turned the car off and when I started it back up the car thought it was in drive but was in park still. The gas pedal won’t not work and the car is now stuck in park. The Chevy Caddilac dealersh
- 2
SUSPENSION
2018 Escalade with 84 k miles. First issue was the front struts went out at around 80k miles 3200 repair. Second issue which is the major issue. Was driving and started hearing a clicking noise as I pressed on gas the car didn’t want to
- 1
SEATS
It been twice that I have experienced lifters issues and damage caused to engine because of these. First time I fixed it in a NY mechanic shop because dealer workflow and expecting dates (all lifters, crankshaft, and seals were replaced new
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 12, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★☆
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★☆☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 12, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 17 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 14 / 23
- Est. fuel / yr
- $4,550
- CO₂ / mi
- 517 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 12, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the service brakes, hydraulic). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD, including the service brakes, hydraulic. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD at 17 mpg combined (14 city / 23 highway), about $4,550 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD? +
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Cadillac Escalade 2WD, including 1 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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