2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
515 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
36,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 198 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 168 of 515 complaints (32.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 147 | 28.5% |
| Braking behavior | 113 | 21.9% |
| Steering behavior | 57 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 41 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 34 | 6.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 16 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 168 |
| Engine | 100 |
| Electrical System | 93 |
| Service Brakes | 85 |
| Unknown Or Other | 58 |
| Steering | 41 |
| Suspension | 31 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 |
Power Train: 168; Engine: 100; Electrical System: 93; Service Brakes: 85; Unknown Or Other: 58; Steering: 41; Suspension: 31; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 81 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 47 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 26 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 81; 25,000 to 49,999: 47; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (81). 317 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 | 18 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 71 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 51 |
| 2025 | 91 |
| 2026 | 44 |
2018: 18; 2019: 53; 2020: 44; 2021: 71; 2022: 71; 2023: 72; 2024: 51; 2025: 91; 2026: 44
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 147 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 113 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 57 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11071895 · 2018-02-09 (February 9, 2018)
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER, I HAVE 70 MILES ON IT, THE TRUCK SHAKES AT 75-85 MPH, DEALER SAYS IT OK. I PAID 40K FOR THIS AND ITS NOT OK WITH ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 11071895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11073513 · 2018-02-18 (February 18, 2018)
TRUCK STATIONARY. STARTED ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY MESSAGE SHOWED UP ON DASHBOARD INDICATING STEERING ASSIST LOW, DRIVE CAREFULLY. NO POWER STEERING. TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIT. SHIFTED INTO REVERSE; TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE AS IF IN NEUTRAL. TRUCK MOVE MOVE FORWARD IN DRIVE. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED TWICE. NO CHANGE. DID NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 11073513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11080191 · 2018-03-19 (March 19, 2018)
THIS NEW STYLE OF HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LIGHT REQUIRED TO SEE IF ANY WILDLIFE ALONG THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY THAT WILL ENTER YOUR DRIVING AREA WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WOULD SUGGEST THEY REPLACE THESE HEADLIGHTS WITH A BETTER QUALITY OF LIGHTING AT NIGHT. LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE WELL FOR HAZARDS. THIS WILL PROVIDE FOR MORE ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAYS IF LEFT THE WAY THEY ARE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11080191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11118409 · 2018-08-07 (August 7, 2018)
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT THE TRUCK WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO THE LEFT LANE SOME TIME AND THEN OTHER TIMES TO THE FAR OUTSIDE OF THE RIGHT LANE. ALSO I HAVE HAD IT MOVE ALL THE WAY TO LEFT LANE AND THE ALL THE WAY BACK ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE TO OFF THE ROAD. HAVE NOTICE AS WELL THAT YOU CAN BE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE TRUCK IS STILL GOING TO THE LEFT. WHEN DRIVING IN A CURVE AND COMING BACK TO CENTER FROM THE RIGHT IT WILL SNAP BACK REALLY FAST NOT NICE AND EASY LIKE FROM THE LEFT. THE TRUCK…
Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 11118409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11120124 · 2018-08-15 (August 15, 2018)
PARKED AND SHUT OFF, DISCONNECTED TRAILER. TRUCK ROLLED BACK WHILE IN PARK. I JUMPED OUT OF WAY AND TRIED TO OPEN DOOR TO STOP. DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN AND CONTINUED BACKWARDS DRAGGING ME. FINAL STOP OVER EDGE OF POND AGAINST TREE STUMP. HAD TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION BY CHEVY ENGINEER. 2 WEEKS NO COMMUNICATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11120124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11120665 · 2018-08-17 (August 17, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LAKE CHEVROLET, 31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530) WHERE IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE CONTACT THAT TOUCHING THE KEYS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11120665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122530 · 2018-08-23 (August 23, 2018)
2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GAS NOZZLE GETTING STUCK IN FILL TUB WHILE PUMPING GAS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. THERE WAS NO KNOWN REPAIR. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11122530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122826 · 2018-08-27 (August 27, 2018)
IN MAY 2018 I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVY SILVERADO LT Z71 PU. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND WHEN I DRIVE THE TRUCK DOWN THE I-70 MOUNTAIN PASS THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTED BEYOND WHAT IO WOULD CALL A SAFE DOWN SHIFT. IM TRAVELING DOWN THE PASS, JUST COASTING, DOWN HILL ASSIST MODE IS OFF @ ROUGHLY 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFT HARD. THE RPM GOES FROM ~1850 TO ~3800 RPM. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BOTH MAKE A LOT OF NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I TRAVELED THE PASS ABOUT 8 TIME NOW AND THE TRUCK DOES THIS FUNNY SHIFT EVERYTIME AND I HAVE PICT…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122826 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2019-09-06 (September 6, 2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V761000 · Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring | Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Reported: 2019-10-24 (October 24, 2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Consequence: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V603000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2020-10-01 (October 1, 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 vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Consequence: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V756000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator
Reported: 2024-10-10 (October 10, 2024)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC Customer Service at 888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N242474500.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V432000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2025-06-26 (June 26, 2025)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2025. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252513060.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V166000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2026-03-19 (March 19, 2026)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262549710. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V325000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262557310. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V166.
NHTSA campaign record ↗