2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 519 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 519

Of the 2018 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 11 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernPower train170 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints519Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train170
  2. Electrical system103
  3. Engine103
  4. Service brakes100
  5. Other or unspecified58
  6. Steering42
  7. Suspension32
  8. Vehicle speed control19

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bagsMay 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 26V325000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bagsMar 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 26V166000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bagsJun 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 25V432000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorOct 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 24V756000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumOct 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.

    A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

    Campaign 20V603000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

103 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Structure, Dec 30, 2024

    Have had 3 rear door actuator locks fail. Refer to complaint 11538814. Will be able to upload files at request.

  2. Electrical system, Engine, Dec 4, 2024

    Entire system (everything) shut down without warning, sometimes kick back on, and other times not at all. Extremely dangerous as it will occur no matter traveling on highway or turning a corner in a parking lot. There are discussion boards in which many people have experienced this problem and clearly it is because of "Bad Battery Cables" and common within the 2014-2018 models. My truck is currently in a dealership garage to have the cables replaced and I have to have a rental car while the cables are on backorder for 5 to 10 days (maybe longer). How is this not a "recall" when so common and so dangerous? Dealership could see in a diagnosis that power had been lost and communication lost, over and over and over. There has never been a dash warning light come on at all.

  3. Electrical system, Engine, Sep 25, 2024

    Hi i toke in my truck twice because of it was jerking was told it was fine noting was wrong my truck is now doing it so hard it feels like I been hit by another car

  4. Service brakes, Air, Electronic stability control (ESC), Electrical system, Aug 5, 2024

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds and in also while reversing, the “Trailer brake system Service” and "Stabili-trak Service" messages were displayed. Additionally, the ABS warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle stalled on several occasions; however, on other occasions, the power steering function became inoperable. The vehicle was able to be restarted after each failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

  5. Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2024

    Vehicle shuts off while driving in traffic at low and high speeds stabilitrak service light comes on and the vehicle dash goes dark Radio and temp control panel go dark/ black

  6. Electrical system, Mar 13, 2024

    The trailer brake signal will alert an unnecessary amount of times randomly.

  7. Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 27, 2024

    The following Recalls were found on Kelly bluebook, that matched the issues I have been having with my vehicle perfectly. When calling the recall center, they stated my vehicle year 2018 Chevy Silverado and serial number were not listed for this but it's the exact diagnosis of what I'm experiencing. The 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. As the vacuum level drops, the brake assists decrease, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The brakes inflate on their own as if someone is pressing them down while driving. The vehicle begins to jerk horribly causing the inability to steer or maintain control of the vehicle or the ability to stop. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This is very dangerous. I have no control over the speed of the vehicle or if the brakes will fail, or if the brakes will burn up due to fighting with the accelerator while driving. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the manufacturer inspected it and stated they could fix the issues, paid but then the same malfunction kept happening even after payment and supposedly being fixed. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None related to the issues, Stabilitrak warning and then random hill assist to inflate the brake vacuum

  8. Electrical system, Jan 30, 2024

    Rear window defrogger overheated and caused the back electric sliding window to shatter and when door was closed the window blew out!

  9. Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2023

    I have a 2018 chevy Silverado 1500 crew cab, I’ve been having problems where the truck warning light would come on saying “service stability control” and the truck would turn off when reversing and while driving on highway and the light flickers and the steer wheel would lock up as well, please help me out, I have searched over the web and have seen other people posting about it and having the same problems but yet Chevy has not done anything about it, this is a safety hazard

  10. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2023

    The component or system that failed or malfunctioned, FUEL PUMP ( METAL FLAKING IN FUEL SYSTEM ) has caused 1 or more CYLINDERS to FAIL. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety as well as the safety of many other motorists was put at high risk due to the fact that I had a 40ft. trailer hitched to the truck at the time the engine power was reduced. thus causing my vehicle to loose power while driving on a major highway. The 2018 Chevy Silverado was diagnosed by the Chevrolet Dealership doing-business-as ASCHENBACH CHEVROLET located at 925 East Main Street, Wytheville, VA 24382. The vehicle has not been inspected by the Manufacturer. When pressing down on the gas pedal, the truck would not accelerate as normal, then a message appeared on the dash-screen ENGINE LOOSING POWER. MAJOR ENGINE FAILURES & REPRODUCED REPAIRS: **JANUARY 2022 ENGINE REBUILT/REPLACED - Seguin Chevy Dealership **APRIL 2022 FAILED KNOX SENSORS - POWER REDUCED - Rush Elgin Chevy **NOVEMBER 2022 ENGINE REPLACEMENT, FAILED FUEL INJECTORS, GLO PLUGS & COOLANT LEAK - Robbins Chevy Dealership ** SEPTEMBER 2023 FAILED FUEL PUMP, FUEL INJECTORS - Aschenbach Chevy

  11. Electrical system, Sep 22, 2023

    At random the touch screen/radio will continuously switch through screens and apps while operating and will become extremely warm to the touch. The display screen on the instrument panel will also scroll through randomly. The heat will stay on continuously even though it is off.

  12. Electrical system, Sep 17, 2023

    turned on rear window defrost and unit started smoking badly with a chemical smell while driving truck. I pushed button to turn rear defrost off so it wouldn't start on fire but the unit had heated up so badly it shattered the window it was touching.

  13. Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 30, 2023

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the Stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. While making a turn at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact used OnStar to perform a diagnostic test, and the result was a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Chevrolet of West (225 T M W Pkwy, West, TX 76691) where it was diagnosed that the battery fuse box and ground cables needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

  14. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 22, 2023

    Service Trailer brake light would ding and appear randomly while parked and driving with no trailer or load hooked. Radio jumps screens making phone calls disconnecting Bluetooth just spazes out. Truck is currently sitting at the dealer suggesting a TCM repair. Truck will be in Drive and roll backwards. Driving down the road vehicle just goes limp.. no power nothing. Absolutely disgusted with my purchase and what I’m going through with my 2018 Silverado

  15. Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 17, 2023

    WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TODAY 08/17/23-TRAILER BREAK SYSTEM-WHILE DRIVING. I DON'T PULL NOR HAUL ANYTHING WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT STAYS PARKED.. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM AND NEED TO BE RECALLED ON THIS ISSUE. I SEE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT, AND WARRANTY OUT. 2018 MODEL AND KEPT BLINKING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. FOR SAFETY REASIN I NEED THIS REPAIR TAKEN CARE OF. NEED A RECALL SO CAN BE REPAIRED AT KNOW COST.

  16. Electrical system, Engine, Aug 14, 2023

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after five minutes. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

  17. Steering, Electrical system, Jul 28, 2023

    The vehicle has just completely died on me at least twice while driving it, the power steering keeps cutting out, and the headlights will dim significantly upon pressing the brake pedal or using turn signals. This has been going on intermittently for months. Upon an internet search, this does not appear to be an uncommon issue.

  18. Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 26, 2023

    The control module for the passenger side air bag failed. A warning light depicting the air bag was continuously displayed until the module was replaced According to the dealer service department, the air bag would fail to deploy with this failure.

  19. Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 24, 2023

    June 24th 2023 on a sunny day right after i start my truck ( truck still on my drive way) trailer brake system service notice came on. I don't have any trailer on that truck at that time. This truck trailer brake system service notice on & off and beep too, it keep my eye off the road the most time this is danger this vehicle never been to accident or even small hit...PLEASE GET CHEVY FIX THIS PROBLEM , i don't want have a accident because that notice keep came up and keep my eye off the street.

  20. Electrical system, Engine, Traction control system, Jun 6, 2023

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH and approaching a bend, the vehicle lost motive power and shuddered. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle had previously lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a possible electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 88,799.

  21. Electrical system, Back over prevention, Jun 1, 2023

    My trailer brake system service light is on. This is due to a faulty wire harness. This issue is also causing the Stabilitrak service light to appear.

  22. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 30, 2023

    UNKNOWN The ignition, steering wheel, and electrical. While driving it flickers off and on, turns off the engine, unlocks my doors and turns on again. Yes, our safety as well as others are put at risk this can cause an accident to happen on the road while driving, most likely to get rear ended. Today it gave me a scare because my 2 year old granddaughter was in the truck.

  23. Electrical system, May 9, 2023

    Vehicle started to fill with smoke. I exited vehicle to look in the back seat when all of a sudden the rear window exploded causing glass to come flying at me. There was a recall for this exact same issue, however gm says this vehicle is not included in it. Obviously there are more vehicles that need to be recalled!

  24. Electrical system, Mar 25, 2023

    Service parking brake system keeps coming on, switch has been replaced and it still comes on. I have had the traction control light and service abs light come on. Took to shop they told me there was a broken wire the first two times in the harness

  25. Steering, Electrical system, Mar 3, 2023

    While driving down the highway, I heard a ding and the service trailer brake message appeared. Several minutes later, while driving about 30 mph and coming to a stop, I heard the ding again, the service trailer brake message appeared again, then all electric components died. I had no lights or gauges working, the radio turned off, the a/c turned off, I loss all steering capabilities as my steering wheel locked in place, and the engine died. All of this occurred while the vehicle was still in motion. As I pressed the brake and came to a stop, the electronics regained power. A message appeared telling me to lower and raise the driver's side window. I came to a complete stop. Even though the electronics returned, I had to restart the engine. I put the vehicle in park, turn it off with my key, then start it again with the key, all while stopped on a very busy highway. I was able to drive the vehicle home with no further issues. I have not contacted the dealership yet, as they are currently closed as I write this. I will be contacting them and informing them of the issue. I had mentioned a similar issue to the dealership a few years ago. They made a report of the incident, but said there is nothing they can do if they cannot replicate it. This is very dangerous. Losing all electronic functions, including the ability to steer and having the engine die while driving is scary. I can lose the ability to guide my truck and crash the vehicle into something or someone. This puts my family at risk and anyone else on highway that may be in proximity. There is no telling when this will take place. I have had electrical issues randomly happen while starting the vehicle, but not while driving. I may go weeks or months between electrical startup problems. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request.