2018 Cadillac XTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#6 most-complained of 7 XTS years
The 2018 Cadillac XTS has a complaint index of 17, the second-lowest among the 7 model years with data, and ranks 6th worst (meaning it's one of the best). It carries 7 complaints, 1 recall, and a top problem area of Brakes.
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
Top 2018 Cadillac XTS problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other3 (43%)
- Brakes2 (29%)
- Electrical System1 (14%)
- Fuel System1 (14%)
What owners report
- Brake pedal fails to respond as expected, in one case leading to a low-speed crash into the vehicle ahead.
- Rear brakes reported as failing again even after replacement, with the issue surfacing at a median mileage of 51,870.
- Infotainment screen pixelates or goes black while driving, disabling the backup camera, climate control, and other convenience and safety features.
- Vehicle becomes extremely difficult to start after refueling, traced by the owner to a vapor canister purge valve issue on the fuel system.
2018 Cadillac XTS recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles
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 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.
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.
2018 Cadillac XTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other XTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Cadillac XTS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 XTS ranks 6th worst out of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 17 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other XTS years.
- What problems does the 2018 Cadillac XTS have?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints for the 2018 XTS, with Brakes as the top problem area at 29% share, followed by Electrical System and Fuel System issues.
- Does the 2018 Cadillac XTS have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 18V576000) covers a brake system issue; GM dealers bled the vehicle's brake system free of charge, and it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Cadillac XTS should I avoid?
- Among the 7 model years with data, the 2013 XTS has the highest complaint index at 100 and is rated Avoid, followed by the 2014 model at a complaint index of 83.
- At what mileage do 2018 Cadillac XTS brake problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2018 XTS is 51,870 miles, based on NHTSA data.