Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2018 Cadillac Xts
The 2018 Cadillac XTS faces a significant recall due to potential rear brake performance issues caused by gas pockets in the caliper pistons. When assessing this vehicle, prioritize checking the brakes and verifying any related recall work was completed. Additional inspections should focus on other common wear areas for assurance of safety and reliability.
Known issues to inspect
Rear brake performance reduced
How to check: Inspect rear brake calipers for recall completion.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for any unusual noises from brakes.
Red flag: Grinding or squealing sounds
- 02
Initial braking
What to check: Check brake responsiveness and feel.
Red flag: Vehicle pulls or slow response
- 03
City driving
What to check: Feel for any brake pedal vibrations.
Red flag: Pulsating brake pedal
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure stable braking from high speeds.
Red flag: Brake fade or instability
- 05
Parking
What to check: Engage parking brake and check hold.
Red flag: Parking brake does not hold
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the brake recall been performed?
- Any recent brake maintenance done?
- Were there any unusual brake noises?
- Is the original brake system intact?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair documents
- Recent brake service records
- Brake pad and rotor receipts
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/18/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2018 Cadillac Xts.