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.
Of the 2018 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 11 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: steering
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 18, 2026
Intermittent issues seemingly related to power or ground problems. At idle, battery voltage drops down from 14-15v to <= 12v (as indicated on the voltmeter on the dash) while turning the steering wheel. "Service StabiliTrack" message shows up on the screen, and the steering becomes very difficult. Last night this issue happened and the truck completely lost power including interior lights, headlights, radio, accessory power, and the engine even turned completely off. This happened in the middle of the street as I came to a stop in front of my house and was going to reverse into my driveway. Cycling the key was enough to restart the truck and the power came back on. When this first happened to me almost two years ago, I brought the truck in for transmission concerns (resulting in a transmission replacement) to my local dealer, and I explained what had happened and they could not reproduce the concern and said everything checked out fine. I've had strange electrical problems pop up every now and then including this StabiliTrack warning message and a trailer brake warning when I am not even hauling a trailer, but this is a major safety concern. My wife and daughter were in the truck with me when it happened, and if the power ever shut off like this on the freeway, major road, or even off-roading, it would be disasterous.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2026
My transmission blew up and I almost wrecked my truck. No engine lights came on, and still no engine lights are coming on it only has 69,000 miles on it and has never missed a service. Its currently at the dealership where I bought it from
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2025
Truck was intermittently losing power steering and shutting off/reseting itself. Was a loss of electrical and was throwing Stabilitrak Service warning. Would not stay on due to truck resetting itself but loss of power happened typically when I was in parking lot or driveway. Could have easily been on the highway which could have been deadly. Dealership found that the battery cables and module were not getting enough power to truck. Replaced these and it seems okay now. Total cost was ~$1200. I see several recalls for battery cable issues but nothing pulling on my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ crew cab.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 12, 2025
sTEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR OBD CODE C0710-5A
Steering, Aug 7, 2025
While driving the steering wheel started locking up and jerking. And it’s really hard to turn the wheel. ( power steering drive with care) noted on the dashboard. Very scary.
Steering, Apr 19, 2025
While driving steering wheel will lock up and become really hard to move, making it difficult to maneuver out of the road
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 11, 2024
So the recalls were done on my vehicle in September 2023 , I purchased the vehicle in August and after the recalls were performed the truck would seem different but I thought it was just me, we'll I had an alignment done because it was driving crazy , this wasn't done at the chevrolet dealership, so recently we've experience some braking issues and pulling off to the side well I took it to the ryan chevrolet on a thursday and the mechanic kept the truck until Monday so he can diagnose the issue. We'll then he says nothing wrong but recommended I pay for an alignment because ones never been done the original pins were still attached. I declined because I knew better and so he charged me 80. 00 times 2 because I iefused, he was diagnosing the 2 different things I told him we were experiencing. These are the things that can occur if If the recalls arent taken care of, but he didn't care about my concerns, nor did he want to listen , o me I went to big o and I asked about the alignment and they showed me mt truck is perfect in alignment. The brake issues and the going off to the side are getting worse.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Dec 11, 2023
I purchased this vehicle from Galles Chevrolet in Albuquerque New Mexico as a certified pre owned vehicle. Couple of days after I noticed a vibration coming from the front steering and drivetrain I immediately took it back to Galles and they told me nothing was wrong with it and that the aggressive tires was what I was feeling. So I took it back and drove it for a couple of weeks and the vibration started getting worse so took it back again they rotated and balanced the tires and said it was fine. A few weeks passed and it started again took it back and told me tires were out of round and that was what I was feeling 21/2 months it sat in the back lot until they figured out who was gonna replace the tires. Finally got the truck back and it was ok until the new tires started cupping again and the vibration was back in total I took it in about 8 times in past 18 months for the same issue and to this day has not been resolved. According to GALLES CHEVROLET the technician stated that that was normal for a 2500 4 wheel drive truck with aggressive tires drives and assured me that there’s nothing wrong with the vehicle. Now look at the video and tell me if that’s normal for this truck For some reason it’s not letting me load a video of me moving the wheel up and down side to side where it moves about 3” with the steering wheel locked wheel is very very loose
Steering, Dec 1, 2023, crash
While driving my truck on [XXX] , steering locks up, unable to turn the steering wheel. Crashes into guard rail going approximately 57mph, thankfully no other vehicle involved in this matter. I was not hurt, and had seatbelt buckled and then noticed damaged on the drivers side of the truck. Which included front bumper, left headlamp assembly, left front fender, left upper control arm, damage to front and rear doors, bedside panel, rear bumper and both wheels, and tires. Gerber Collision body shop in Henderson, Ky wrote the estimate and did the repairs for approximately $16,000.00 in damage and paint. On 10/02/2023 we took this truck to Kenny Kent Chevrolet for power steering intermittently going out, and they replaced the battery, codes for low voltage to power steering module. Tested battery and found to test bad, so they replaced the battery. Checked for codes and none were found after replacement of the battery, appeared to be the point of failure at this time. That repair was $404.96, kind of strange on part availability for a electric power steering is on BACKORDER! and module is not serviced separately, and even NO RECALLS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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
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.
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.
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.
Steering, Apr 27, 2023
For about a month I heard a clunking sound in the steering wheel shaft when I initially started the vehicle and turned the steering wheel. After a few miles of driving it would go away. The vehicle then began to have a hesitation when I would try starting it. Diagnosed as two cells were dead in the battery. Replaced the battery and the steering improved. Two weeks after replacing the battery, I started the vehicle and started to turn out of a parking spot. At that time the steering wheel refused to turn and it sounding like a pump going out. The service steering warning came on. I got it to the dealer and they diagnosed the electric rack and pinion drive belt had broken and sheared the gears in the assembly. The vehicle is a 2018 Chevy 6.2L High Country with 71,000 miles. I was told by the dealer that if this would have happened while driving at highway speed it would have locked the steering wheel in the position at the time of component failure and would have more than likely resulted in a crash. Currently the vehicle is still at the dealer for the last month waiting on the rack and pinion to be shipped. Apparently there isn't any of these parts anywhere in the United States.
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.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 15, 2023, crash
The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 80 MPH the steering wheel became stiff and the vehicle would not brake without any warning. The contact desperately pressed on the brake pedal but the vehicle would not brake, causing the contact to be struck by another vehicle on the driver's side. No one was injured and no major damage to none of the vehicles. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a loss. All the air bags deploy but the front driver side. The manufacturer was not unable to reach them. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 8, 2022
Sudden loss of vehicle electrical power as well as steering and break control due to faulty negative battery terminal. Engine will stall and steering wheel will kick back and issue a stabilitrak service message. Vehicle will become inoperable while still moving with no way to control.
Steering, Oct 17, 2022
2018 Chevy Silverado Lt. Lost power steering on two separate occasions for 10 seconds to approximately 15 seconds then the a third incident where power steering was lost 100% and did not come. It was a good thing that I was leaving my house. No power steering at all. Turning around to home had to really muscle the steering steering. Did not clear with repeated attempts at engine restarts. Had towed to dealer. Dealer had no idea what was going on or had never experienced this before. Google searches indicated that this power steering issue has been going on since at least 2014. Battery and cables replaced. Incident happened again back to dealer and I suggested reprogramming the ECM and they did. All seemed good until 4 Oct 22 when driving I lost power steering again for about 5 seconds and then returned to normal. This is a real safety issue. I cannot drive with my granddaughter until this is rectified. Dash reported each time Power Steering drive with caution. Like I illuted to that this power steering problem is concerning and going on for years.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 8, 2022
The electrical power steering failed on my way home as I turned in to my street my steering became very hard to control nearly causing me to crash into a neighbors vehicle. This is the second time my electrical power steering has failed. About a year ago the original electrical power steering went out and a new one was purchased from a dealer ship and installed by a automotive company. Here we are a year later and it has gone out again but this time almost causing me to crash during a turn into my street. NO WARNING to me at all that my power steering was about to go out. Yes. My 2018 Silverado truck is available if an inspection request is asked of me.
Steering, Electrical system, May 7, 2022, crash
At a low speeds while taking a turn, the electrical system clicks off and then clicks back on after about a second. Im able to see the voltage drop while taking the turn. When this happens, the power steering goes out while taking the turn. This exact incident is consistent with the recall of the year 2014 Silverado as stated in this article https://www.zehllaw.com/another-gm-recall-800000-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra-trucks-faulty-power-steering/
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2022
The power steering will randomly go out when turning at slow speeds, or when parking. The entire truck has lost power steering and then lost all power to the vehicle for a split second then return to normal power.
Steering, Jan 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the "steering assist reduced" and "service trailer brake" messages were displayed, and the steering wheel experienced a slight resistance while turning in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2021
Started vehicle and engine diagnostic displayed that the anti-lock braking system needs to be service, the power steering system needs to be serviced, parking assist needs to be serviced. This issued occurred one other time and a module needed to be replaced. This is the second time this has occurred in a year.
Steering, Nov 7, 2021
Power steering reduced
Steering, Electrical system, May 15, 2021
AT SLOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS WHEN PARKING, THE TRUCKS 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 DONT W WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IF NEARLY COLLIDED TWICE DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING.