2018 Chevrolet EXPRESS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
9,942 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2019: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11244426 · 2019-08-16 (August 16, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING ABRUPTLY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CONTINUE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS, INCLUDING EMICH CHEVROLET [phone removed], LOCATED AT 2033 S WADSWORTH BLVD, LAKEWOOD, CO 80227) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY T…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,283 miles reported. Look up ODI 11244426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11281820 · 2019-11-22 (November 22, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PURAFOY CHEVROLET (601 DENVER AVE, FORT LUPTON, CO) WHO REPROGRAMMED THE BRAKE MODULE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435920 · 2021-10-07 (October 7, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that the gear shifter would shake when shifting gears. Over time, the shifter cable fractured without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where he was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact disputed the diagnosis and notified the manufacturer of the failure. The manufacturer initially agreed to repair the gear shifter under warranty; however, they later informed him that they would only cover 10% of the cost for the…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11435920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11604194 · 2024-07-24 (July 24, 2024)
The transmission started to fail at around 65k miles. There were no warning signs, it just began shifting hard and then began slipping. It was taken to a transmission shop and the fluids were replaced, but this did not change anything. It was at this time we were told the transmission would need to be replaced, but they had no means to obtain a replacement. It has been over two years since the problems started and the transmission is still in the vehicle and we drive it daily. It continues to slip going up through the gears and progressively ge…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11604194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418581 · 2021-05-26 (May 26, 2021)
Unknown, electrical fire from inside passenger door, no external heat source, and heat source seems to be from inside the door. Vehicle was parked while fire occurred.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447540 · 2022-01-14 (January 14, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that the defroster would intermittently fail to operate as needed. The contact mentioned that the defroster might start working when driving over a pothole or an obstruction in the road. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V655000 (Electrical System). The contact also discovered that the rear window was made out of tempered glass which failed to comply with FMVSS standards; she was also able to link that failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11447540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184656 · 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
TAKARA RECALL. MY CHEVY EXPRESS HAS VIBRATION IN THE FLOOR AND STEERING WHEEL AT SPECIFIC SPEED, ONE AT 28 TO 30 MPH, ANOTHER AT 38 TO 40 MPH AND AGAIN AT 48 TO 50 MPH. THIS IS VERY ANOYING GIVE THAT THE VAN HAS ONLY 13K MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184656 at NHTSA ↗