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2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

198 reports with mileage · 318 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 170 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports4 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

170 reports
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5 miles · Apr 14, 2021
Power Train

WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFT REALLY HARD. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE JERK FORWARD. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING UP HILL/DOWNHILL OR ON A FLAT ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AT 4K MILES FOR THIS REASON AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A KNOWN CHEVY ISSUE BUT THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF FIXING IT.I TOOK IT BACK A SECOND T…

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WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFT REALLY HARD. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE JERK FORWARD. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING UP HILL/DOWNHILL OR ON A FLAT ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AT 4K MILES FOR THIS REASON AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A KNOWN CHEVY ISSUE BUT THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF FIXING IT.I TOOK IT BACK A SECOND TIME AT 5K AND WAS TOLD THE JERKINESS AND POOP THE TRANSMISSION DOES IS A GM DEFECT DESIGN BUT THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF FIXING. DEALER SAID OTHER OWNERS HAVE INSTALLED A 3RD PARTY SINGLE PIECE DRIVE SHAFT WITH ANGLE SPACERS BUT THAT WAS NOT COVERED BY GM WARRANTY. DEALER ESSENTIALLY WANTED ME TO FIX THE HARSH SHIFTING AND CLUNKINESS BY GOING WITH AN AFTER MARKET PARTS PROVIDER. A WORK AROUND THAT HAS SEEM TO MAKE THE ISSUE MORE BEARABLE IS PUTTING THE TRUCK IN 'TOW MODE' IT SMOOTHS THE RIDE OUT BUT IT TENDS TO MAKE THE TRANSMISSION RUN ABOUT 20'40 DEGREES HOTTER

NHTSA ODI #11408160

59,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED-OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT TOOK TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED-OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PENDARVIS CHEVROLET COMPANY, INC. (650 AUGUSTA RD, EDGEFIELD, SC 29824, (803) 639-8117) WHO FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND REMOVED THE THERMOSTAT AND PLUGGED ONE LINE DIRECTLY TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN REPAIRED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ATTACH A LOAD TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #11403351

115,000 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Power Train

FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. JERKING AND SHAKING. BUNNING SMELL. FAILED TO MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME ON. STILL HAS TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA ODI #11399255

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2021
Power TrainService BrakesStructure

TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND FAILED. ACTED LIKE IT BOUND UP. THIS HAPPENED DURING A NORMAL SHIFT SEQUENCE, ACTED TIGHT THEN ENGINE JUST KEPT OVER REVVING. HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO. DEALER FIXED FOR FREE. SAID IT WAS COMMON. THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AT 60K MILES. SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY IT AS THERE IS NO FI…

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TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND FAILED. ACTED LIKE IT BOUND UP. THIS HAPPENED DURING A NORMAL SHIFT SEQUENCE, ACTED TIGHT THEN ENGINE JUST KEPT OVER REVVING. HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO. DEALER FIXED FOR FREE. SAID IT WAS COMMON. THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AT 60K MILES. SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY IT AS THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. SUGGESTED I BUY ANOTHER NEW TRUCK. NEXT PROBLEM IS MY RIGHT FRONT CALIPER HAS FAILED TWICE AND NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. IT IS NOW FAILING FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS IS SERIOUSLY UNSAFE AND CRAZY. I HAVE ONLY ABOUT 73K MILES ON THIS TRUCK. THIRD THING IS MY CHROME TRIM ON MY DOOR HANDLES HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THIS IS NORMAL AND IT IS NOT FIXABLE UNLESS I PAY THEM. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE TRUCK IS BABIED AND KEPT IN PERFECT CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #11395462

18,411 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Power Train

WHEN I PLACE THE TRUCK IN DRIVE IN THE MORNING OR AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING FOR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES HARD, LURCHING THE TRUCK BODY FOWARD. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, BUT SAID THERE IS NO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11394728

3,000 miles · Feb 2, 2021
Power Train

WHEN I DRIVE I GET A HARD SHIFT/SLIPPING WHEN TAKING OFF AND I GET A HARD DOWNSHIFT WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY FIX IT, RETURN IT, AND SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND AM SITTING FOR A WHILE THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE OUT OF NOWHERE.

NHTSA ODI #11394298

32,000 miles · Jan 12, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

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 CONTROL SY…

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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 CONTROL SYMBOIL TURNED ON. TOOK IT TO PETERS CHEVROLET LONGVIEW, TX. DEALERSHIP FOUND NO ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11387802

30,000 miles · Dec 19, 2020
EnginePower Train

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 NOW DESIGNE…

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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 NOW DESIGNED TO BREAK ON YOU EASILY SO US CUSTOMERS SPEND MORE ON PARTS AND LABOR.

NHTSA ODI #11384198

12,500 miles · Nov 3, 2020
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS WHEN BACKING A TRAILER UP A SLIGHT HILL AND WILL NOT MOVE UNTILE IT COOLS DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11372836

15,000 miles · Oct 13, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING SLIPPING, SHIFTING HARSHNESS, CLUNKING, ESPECIALLY ON DOWNSHIFTS AND SLIPPING WHEN TOWING. CLUNKING NOISE/FEEL WHEN SLOWING DOWN/STOPPING. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON HILLS, BUT PRESENT ON FLAT AND DOWNHILL ROADS AT SURFACE STREETS AS WELL AS FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS. PROBLEM FIRST BROUGHT TO CHEVROLET'…

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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING SLIPPING, SHIFTING HARSHNESS, CLUNKING, ESPECIALLY ON DOWNSHIFTS AND SLIPPING WHEN TOWING. CLUNKING NOISE/FEEL WHEN SLOWING DOWN/STOPPING. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON HILLS, BUT PRESENT ON FLAT AND DOWNHILL ROADS AT SURFACE STREETS AS WELL AS FREEWAYS AND HIGHWAYS. PROBLEM FIRST BROUGHT TO CHEVROLET'S SERVICE DEPT AT 7000 MILES AND TOLD IT'S NORMAL. AGAIN BROUGHT TO SERVICE DEPT ATTENTION AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES AND AGAIN TOLD IT'S NORMAL. PROBLEM CONTINUED TO WORSEN SEVERELY AND AGAIN BROUGHT TO SERVICE DEPT ATTENTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15000 MILES. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION CONTINUES AFTER REPLACEMENT AND AT 16197 MILES IT IS NOW BACK AT THE SERVICE DEPT.TRANSMISSION IS THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC.

NHTSA ODI #11364177

Official recalls

7

26V325000 · Air Bags

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 & remedy

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.

26V166000 · Air Bags

Mar 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 & remedy

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.

25V432000 · Air Bags

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

24V756000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

20V603000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

19V761000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Service Brakes

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.