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4WD platform

2018 Cadillac Escalade

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Escalade.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 10-spd

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is a 4WD SUV fitted with an automatic 10-speed transmission, EPA-rated at 14/23/17 mpg, and requires 8.0 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. Within the model’s 1999–2026 complaint spectrum—which runs from a low of 3 owner complaints in 2001 to a high of 285 in 2007—the 2018 model logged 21 total owner complaints and one recall, placing it among the lower-complaint years in the nameplate’s history. That modest complaint volume, with the engine cited as the top complaint area, indicates the 2018 occupies a relatively stable position in the Escalade’s documented reliability record.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/23/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 720 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP275/55R20OEM · verified

Wheel / rim9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742
Engine air filter	23349854
Spark plug	12622441
Battery	88864542 alt 88865934
Front wiper blades	84613732
Serpentine belt	12658178 alt 12643517
Thermostat	12620318 alt 12674639
Cabin air filter	23281440

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 10-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	203.9 in
Overall width	80.3 in
Overall height	74.4 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	5840 lb
Track (front / rear)	68.9 / 68.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 23 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escalade of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.6–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2015 Premium

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2016	Platinum 6.2L V8	5.80 sec	14.30 sec	420 hp	AWD
2015	Premium 6.2L V8	5.60 sec	14.10 sec	420 hp	AWD
2015	Platinum 6.2L V8	5.90 sec	14.40 sec	420 hp	AWD
2015	ESV Premium 6.2L V8	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	420 hp	AWD
2015	Premium 6.2L V8	6.10 sec	14.70 sec	420 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.0
Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use Dexron ULV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.1
Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use Dexron HP
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	188.0 Do not re-use old hub nut. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	720 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	720 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	46.0-84.0
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 74; Rear: 38 Use; Rear: 77
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 170; Rear: 148; Rear: 221
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.102; Rear: .728; Front: 1.516; Rear: 1.280
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: 1.122; Rear: .748; Front: 1.535; Rear: 1.299
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	Rear: .007; Rear: .001
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0

37 ft. lbs

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

48 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	85.0

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

1	59.0 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	Internal Hex style head bolts	40 degrees
3	Except Hex style head bolts	60 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
3	45.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	110 degrees; Outer bolts	110 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	80.0 degrees; Side bolts	80 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	60.0 degrees	60 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade represents a notable improvement in reliability trends within its generation, particularly when contextualized against its federal record. Complaints dropped sharply to 21 in 2018—down from 86 in 2017 and 102 in 2016—while recalls fell to just one, the lowest since 2014. This places the 2018 model year at the tail end of a mid-cycle refinement phase, following the 2015 refresh that initially saw elevated complaints (103) and recalls (9). The data shows a clear downward trajectory in reported issues post-2017, with 2018 and 2019 forming a low-complaint plateau before a resurgence in recalls and investigations in 2021. Top complaint areas for 2018 were concentrated in engine-related concerns (7), though no root cause is specified in the data. With minimal crash or fire complaints (one each) and a recall count of just one, the 2018 Escalade emerges as a relatively stable year to purchase within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1126

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine7

Service Brakes3

Power Train2

Electrical System2

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1

Seats,Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Suspension,Engine1

Suspension,Power Train,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V603000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:VacuumReported 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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1126 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6483	2026-02-04	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights…
PIT6400A	2026-01-16	Unknown Or Other	This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escalade. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R battery Vehicles taking 8.0 qt 4WD-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 23349854 Spark plug 12622441 Battery 88864542

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Escalade take?

8.0 qt of 0W-20 meeting GM Dexos 1, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Escalade have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escalade get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined mpg.