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: other or unspecified
58 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2022
Starter had to be replaced with 22,775 miles and truck was toed.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2022
Stress cracks in radiator
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2022
The trailer service message keeps popping up distracting me and there is no way yo turn it off!
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2022
AC condenser has cracked at factory weld. Dealer said this is Dailey issue and only performed recall on the higher end Cadillac and GMC Denali when the lower models have same condenser per # and problems was a $1000 repair
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2022
The plastic part of the grill is melting I’m afraid it’s going to melt on the front of the vehicle
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2022
When entering traffic, upon acceleration the truck stalls, and shutters. Going into traffic a vehicle had to maneuver to avoid collision with me. I took it to the dealer and they said transmission should get a flush and transmission oil was low. At 60,000 and out of warranty I paid for service and they said it was good now. it still continues. I can’t afford to take it in for service and pay again. From searching online customers state the dealer representatives all say it’s normal for truck to do that. Also, others say transmission (6l80) and/or torque converter is the problem. Again being without warranty I cannot afford to take it in and pay to just get that “it’s normal for the vehicle to do that.” A vehicle that stalls IS a hazard for the driver and for others on the road. Especially entering highways and heavy traffic streets. The main reason is we never know when it will stall or when it will accelerate what I believe is properly.
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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2021
2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-496. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A RESONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 19, 2021
Radiator started leaking at 40,000 miles. Leaking at a weld where tube connect to side tanks.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2021
Consistent failure with AC condensor for 2014 thru 2019 Chevrolet trucks. So common, should have been fixed or replaced.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2021
WENT TO TURN INTO PARKING STALL AND EVERYTHING SHUT OFF AND THE DOORS LOCKED. RADIO, LIGHTS, ENGINE EVERYTHING TURNED OFF. NEXT DAY TURNED INTO A DRIVE THRU AND IT FLICKERED AND CAME UP WITH SERVICE STABLI TRAK. I TALKED WITH A PLACE THAT COULD HOOK UP MY TRUCK TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THEY COULDNT FIND ANYTHING. THEY SAID THEY DROVE THE TRUCK AROUND AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I LEFT AND IT SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN ONCE AND FLICKERED TWICE. IM HOPING THIS IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IM AT 43000 MILES. HELP!
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2021
RADIATOR LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TRUCK HAS ONLY 54K MILES AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION SERVICED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2021
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 N192220470, AS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BECOME A SAFETY RECALL IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2021
OCCASIONALLY ON MY DASH INFO SCREEN A MESSAGE POPS UP SAYING TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD, IN ORDER TO DISMISS THE MESSAGE YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AND TOUCH AN OK BUTTON ON THE SCREEN. IT IS HARD TO DO THIS SAFELY WHILE DRIVING. THE MESSAGE DOES NOT TIME OUT AND COVERS THE ENTIRE SCREEN. THERE MUST DE A WAY TO DISABLE THIS OR TO HAVE IT TIME OUT. IT IS IRONIC THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE TRIED THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT DISMISSES OTHER MESSAGES AND IT DOES NOT WORK FOR THAT ONE. THIS SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE FIXED EASILY WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2020
THE AC CONDENSER CRACKED AND WOULDN'T BLOW COLD AIR. THE TRUCK IS 2018 AND HAS ONLY 50000 MILES
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 29, 2020, fire
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 PEDAL AGAIN DEALER SAID IT'S NORMAL I PULLED MY TRUCK OUT FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSE TO THE FRONT SHUT IT OFF TO GO GET READY FOR WORK A COUPLE MINUTES LATER MY DAUGHTER INFORMED ME MY TRUCK WAS OVER HEATING I WENT TO DOOR TO FIND SMOKE POURING OUT OF MY TRUCK FROM UNDER THE HOOD GRAB A FIRE EXTINGUISHER RUN OUT POP THE HOOD AND THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE OF COMPARTMENT IS IN FLAMES HOW DOES A VEHICLE THAT'S NOT RUNNING START ON FIRE? AWAITING MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET IT OUT OF HERE I IMAGINE WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS THERE ISN'T MUCH LEFT OF THE ENGINE BAY SO NOT SURE WHAT STARTED THE FIRE
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2020
PURCHASED MY 2018 SILVERADO 1500 USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 32500 MILES ON IT. MY AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONLY APPROXIMATELY 39000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ENDS AT 36,000 MILES. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHEN I GOT OFF OF WORK AND TRIED MY TO USE MY AIR CONDITIONING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2020
I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE. JUST AS I GOT THE SPARE ONTO THE BOLTS, THE JACK SNAPPED AND THE TRUCK CAME CRASHING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY SHOP AT HOME ON A LEVEL CONCRETE FLOOR. EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD BEEN APPLIED.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2019, crash
A REAR TIRE BLEW CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE STRUCK A SHALE WALL ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE DIED IN THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2019
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
Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2019
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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2019
ON 02/27/2019 I PURCHASED A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 AT COLE CHEVROLET, CADILLAC IN BLUEFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA I NOTICED THAT IT WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN I DROVE IT AND A VIBRATION WITH THE TRUCK. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD SURFACE CAUSING THE NOISE IT WAS A LOT WORSE AT 70 MPH. THE MORE I DROVE THE WORSE IT GOT. I GOT TO LOOKING AT THE TIRES I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD HIGH AND LOW SPOTS ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE. ON 06/27/2019 I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT AT, I SHOWED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THEY DID ALIGNMENT ON THE TRUCK AND THEY ORDERED A NEW TIRE. I DROVE THE TRUCK A LITTLE OVER 600 MILES, I STARTED GETTING THE NOISE AND VIBRATION AGAIN. I GOT TO CHECKING THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND NOTICED THE SAME THING ON THE INSIDE EDGE. ON 07/24/2019 I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER AND TOLD THEM THAT THE SAME THING IS HAPPING WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE NEW TIRE WAS IN AND THEY CHANGED IT. CHECK THE ALIGNMENT AGAIN AND TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE TIRES THAT THE TIRES ARE SOFT CAUSING THE WEAR. I LEARNED LATER THE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES IS CALLED CUPPING. I CALLED GOODYEAR TIRE AND TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. GOODYEAR HAD ME TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR SERVICE CENTERS TO CHECK MY TRUCK. GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT END IS IN ALIGNMENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CUPPING ON THE TIRES IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IF I PUT NEW TIRES ON, IF I DIDN'T GET THE MECHANICAL PROBLEM FIXED. I CALLED GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT. I DID ON 09/09/2019 I TOLD THEM I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING LOOSING TRACTION GO AROUND CURVES WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2019
THE VEHICLE VIBRATES THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER BALANCED AND CHECKED ROAD FORCE ON WHEELS AFTER 5,000 MILES AND REBALANCED TWO WHEELS. VIBRATION STILL EXISTS AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH MORE MILES. THE WHEEL BALANCE DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2019
I PURCHASE A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO IN NOVEMBER OF 2018 THAT WAS DEFECTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIX IT SO THEY TRADED IT FOR ANOTHER 2018 SILVERADO. THE 2ND TRUCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT'S MAKES A GRINDING VIBRATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH AND IT MAKES A SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO COME APART OR SOMETHING IS GETTING READY TO FALL OUT.DEALERSHIP HUFFINES CHEVROLET IN LEWISVILLE,TX SAIDS IT'S MY DRIVING HABITS. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THE PROBLEM GO'S AWAY OVER TIME. IF PROBLEM GO'S AWAY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME,WHY DID IT GO AWAY ON THE 1ST TRUCK. TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTED AND THEY KNOW IT. AT THIS POINT ALL I WANT IS MY MONEY BACK. I'VE BEEN FRUSTRATED FOR 6 MONTHS OVER MY TRUCK. IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF GRINDING AND VIBRATION. I'M NOW GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A UNSAFE DEFECTED VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2019
THE DOOR LOCKS CREATE A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. I LOCKED MY TRUCK AND WENT INTO A STORE LEAVING AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE TRUCK. I CAME OUT WITH PACKAGES AND ASKED THE PASSENGER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. NEITHER THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH OR THE HANDLE WOULD ALLOW HER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THERE IS ABSOLTELY NO WAY A PASSENGER CAN GET OUT FOR ANY REASON IF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE KEYS. THE DEALER SAY THIS IS PART OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE OWNERS MANUAL DOESN'T GIVE ANY INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO DISARM THIS. PASSENGER LEFT IN TRUCK WITHOUT THE KEYES WITH THE DOORS LOCKED IS IN A DEATH TRAP BUILT BY CHEVROLET.