2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
23,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 15.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Equipment | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Engine: 6; Electrical System: 3; Equipment: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 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). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 11203138 · 2019-04-23 (April 23, 2019)
WHEN THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF IT SOMETIMES CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO OVER 1 HOUR TO RESTART. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS AND THE KEY IS TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE ALL YOU WILL HEAR IS A "CLICK" SOUND COMING FROM WHAT I ASSUME IS THE STARTER. WHILE NOT STARTING, EVERYTHING ELSE ELECTRICAL IN THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE. ALTHOUGH THIS TRUCK WAS DELIVERED NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2017(BUILD DATE OF 8/17), IT WAS NOT PUT ON THE ROAD AND IN SERVICE(BUILT OUT AS A TOW TRUCK) UNTIL MID MAY OF 2018. ALTHOUGH THIS STARTING ISSUE DID NOT BEG…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11203138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711287 · 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)
I’ve heard all the horror stories about faulty electrical issues. I’m chasing an issue now on my 2018 with ONLY 87,000 miles after spending a bunch of money on batteries hub assemblies random control modules to try to fix an issue of stabilitrak, traction control, abs, trailer brakes, power steering etc all going off every 3 seconds. Grounds have all been re done to bare metal nothing is fixing the issue. Steering wheel about flew out of my hands going 65mph when the power steering message along with all the others on the dtc while dinging anno…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525436 · 2023-06-05 (June 5, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that the fuel tank had collapsed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and rear fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V047000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The failure mileage was approximately 68,390. VIN …
Owner-reported narrative. 68,390 miles reported. Look up ODI 11525436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11621725 · 2024-10-24 (October 24, 2024)
The contact owns 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine started misfiring and made an abnormal knocking sound. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner. The contact retrieved diagnostic trouble code indicating an open circuit on the seventh fuel injector. The contact purchased the p…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11621725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452090 · 2022-02-15 (February 15, 2022)
stabilitrak system truck speeds up when braking,and pulls left or right transmission shift hard when warning lights come on intermittently
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11759032 · 2026-08-24 (August 24, 2026)
The high pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal particles throught the fuel system. All fuel components except for the injectors are available. The engine stalled while driving at speed forcing me to stop and call a tow truck on the side of the road. Mileage at failure was 81340. Preston hood Chevrolet diagnosed the HP4 failure and replaced the entire fuel system, noting metal contamination in all areas. The component has not been inspected. The truck had a slight grinding noise when shifting into 4th on throttle. Took it to a firestone and t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11759032 at NHTSA ↗