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2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 521 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most often about the transmission (33% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). It is 16th of 27 Silverado 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Transmission
171 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Coolant water keeps spilling from water pump. As I was driving on the freeway, the pump blew and spilled all the coolant and had to pull over to the side. Had to get it replaced paid $150 for the part and than labor another $150. Truck has less than 30k miles and the water pump already breaking down. New vehicles are…
Service stabilatract comes on before I start the truck still since the day I bought it the dealership does not know what's wrong. And since I bought the truck the tranny really bangs and clunks a lot it's annoying when trying to drive in stop and go traffic it gear chases way to much. It can't be good for the tranny…
Engine
111 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact became aware of abnormal oil consumption and sound coming from…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vent valve solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a month later, the check engine…
Electrical
103 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: integrated trailer brake control, instrument panel, alternator/generator/regulator, wiring.
While waiting to order a morning coffee at a local coffee shop drive thru (stationary), the rear defrost/defogger caused one of the glass panels of the rear windshield/back glass to shatter/explode. There was also smoke & an unmistakable electrical burning smell present at that time. Please refer to gm canada recall…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds during high weather temperatures, it was discovered that the air conditioning system failed to activate and cool the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the radiator…
Brakes
99 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, power assist, foundation components.
Loss of power due to vacuum pump. Message pops up on speedo saying service brake assist as the brakes stop working. Happens at slower speeds while moving (city driving)
Abs (trailer braking system) and stabitrak warning lights randomly come on while driving and remain on until vehicle turns off. On multiple occasions the rear wheels have locked and steering becomes difficult even when brakes are not being applied. This has occurred while driving at varying speeds and in varying…
Other or unspecified
58 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles.
The projection for vehicles seems to go off during heavy rain, forcing me to turn off the safety feature. If not my seat rumbles and the lights go off frequently
Been having voltage issues for a couple of days where my lights dim and volt gauge drops and raises while driving or stationary dealer said it's normal also hard down shifting while driving not letting off the gas assistant brakes have failed and clunk hard sometimes when stopping or press hard back at me through the…
Steering
42 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
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 but would not shift out of low gear. Also traction…
At slow speeds, such as when parking, the truckâs electrical system shuts down, I lose power steering, dash lights, radio, and then the truck restarts itself and continues. This has happened multiple times and Chevrolet dealers donât w what the problem is. If nearly collided twice due to lack of power steering.
Suspension
32 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Vehicle developed a vibration at 80mph which fades in and out. Tires were road forced balanced, and alignment was done. Transmission fluid was changed. The shacking at 80mph continued. On a 30 mile commute at 80mph the vibration is extreme 25% of the time (like driving over a rumble strip), moderate another 25% of the…
Started to hear clunking noise around 15,000 miles. The noise started to get worse as time went by. First it was just when driving up my driveway then it was while driving or even stationary pushing down on the rear bumper. Found that the leaf springs were cracked but it wasn't visible while they were on the vehicle.
Wheels and tires
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 15,500 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt.
Shaking in the front at speeds over 40mph when there is a slight acceleration, that does stop when you take the foot off the gas. The shaking seems to get more violent at higher speeds, and so far the dealer has been unable to find the cause.
I took my vehicle in for service and riverside Chevrolet, they documented my vehicle tire pressure was reinflated to factory specs but they were not.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: vacuum
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: vacuum
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (171 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); engine (111 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles); electrical (103 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 21, 2026 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- It is 16th of 27 Silverado 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 521 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.