VehicleVerdict

2018 Cadillac XTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2018 Cadillac XTS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other XTS years?

XTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted148 complaints2013: 148 complaints2014: 71 complaints2015: 17 complaints2016: 25 complaints2017: 33 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 7 complaints
XTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Cadillac XTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other343%
Brakes229%
Electrical System114%
Fuel System114%

Does the 2018 Cadillac XTS have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V576000BrakesAugust 30, 2018 · 210,628 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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 DIDN'T…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 25, 2018

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 16, 2019 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2020 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 18, 2022

2018 Cadillac XTS — common questions

Is the 2018 Cadillac XTS reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Cadillac XTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 Cadillac XTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac XTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XTS years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2017. The cleanest record among XTS years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2018 Cadillac XTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Cadillac XTS earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.