CADILLAC XTS · model year

2018 CADILLAC XTS

7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018CADILLACXTS carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 XTS is unknown or other with 3 filings, followed by service brakes (1) and electrical system (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2018 XTS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

7
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2018 CADILLAC XTS — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 CADILLAC XTS. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

7 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (1)

18V57600030/08/2018

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

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 insuf

Recent Complaints

20250603SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the brakes had been previously replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear brakes were failing. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was no failure found with the rear brakes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V576000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 51,870.

Mileage: 51,870

20221227FUEL/PROPULSION 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 correct the problem. I could leave the car running while fueling but that is not safe to do. I believe GM has a known issue with this item and is no longer using this part in their newer vehicles.

20220613UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 this, but no recall. It is expensive to get fixed, and from what i've been reading online, they replace with the same screen, so it could happen again. This is so unexceptable.

20200516CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *TR

20190916UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 TO NONE. VUE CONTROLS MOST OF THE FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE. CUE BECOMES DISABLED AND BLACKS OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTORE NORMAL REAR VISIBILITY FUNCTIONS SUCH AS THE SIDE MIRRORS PIVOTING DOWN. IN THE ABSENCE OF THE REAR VIEW CAMERA, THE PIVOTING ACTION REDUCES AND OCCASIONALLY OBSTRUCTS MOST VISIBILITY WHILE BACKING. RECENTLY A 4 YEAR GIRL WAS NEARLY STRUCT DURING THIS FAILURE. WITH THE MIRRORS DOWN AND NO REAR VIEW CAMERA, ALL THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO VIEW TO THE REAR WAS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH IS AIMED TO HIGH TO SEE A SMALL CHILD BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT.. IN ADDITION TO THIS INCIDENT, ALL OF THE CONTROLS FOR THE VEHICLE ARE ADJUSTED OR CONTROLLED THROUGH THE CUE M

Mileage: 23,000

20190619CrashSERVICE 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 POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS EVER DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A THIRD PARTY THAT HANDLES LIABILITY FOR ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BE DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *JS

20180929UNKNOWN OR 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 DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

Mileage: 8,000

Compare 2018CADILLACXTS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 CADILLAC XTS have?
The 2018 CADILLAC XTS has 7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 CADILLAC XTS?
The 2018 CADILLAC XTS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 CADILLAC XTS?
Yes, the 2018 CADILLAC XTS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 CADILLAC XTS?
The most-complained component for the 2018 CADILLAC XTS is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2018 CADILLAC XTS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2018 CADILLAC XTS has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.