Reductant heater fault
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado 2500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
24 reports with mileage · 28 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
6 reportswhile driving i smelled burning electrical somewhere in the cab. looking in the rearview mirror i saw smoke ciming from the corner of the sliding rear window. i pulled over and opened my rear door and heard a crack type noise. the smoke stopped and the drivers side rear window was shattered. upon researching the issue i found a…
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while driving i smelled burning electrical somewhere in the cab. looking in the rearview mirror i saw smoke ciming from the corner of the sliding rear window. i pulled over and opened my rear door and heard a crack type noise. the smoke stopped and the drivers side rear window was shattered. upon researching the issue i found a recall was done in canada and not in the usa .
For the last year the vehicle has been in the shop at the dealer for a rancid chemical smell in the cab of the truck that causes a burning to the eyes and lungs. It gets worse when it's hot outside. The smell is there even when the vehicle is not running. The dealer cannot find the source of the smell and has turned the vehicle …
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For the last year the vehicle has been in the shop at the dealer for a rancid chemical smell in the cab of the truck that causes a burning to the eyes and lungs. It gets worse when it's hot outside. The smell is there even when the vehicle is not running. The dealer cannot find the source of the smell and has turned the vehicle back over to us with no solution. It feels unsafe and is extremely uncomfortable to drive in with burning eyes and breathing issues.
VIBRATIONS AT 65-85 MPH. TRUCK SHAKES SO BAD IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
MON OCT 8TH, 5PM, MY CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD DIESEL TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD(APPROXIMATELY 30MPH), WITH ME, MY 12YO DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND IN IT. THE ENGINE DIED, AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AFTER WRESTLING THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE FO THE ROAD, A PASSERBY DROVE BACKWARDS IN TRAFFIC TO ALERT ME THAT THE T…
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MON OCT 8TH, 5PM, MY CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD DIESEL TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD(APPROXIMATELY 30MPH), WITH ME, MY 12YO DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND IN IT. THE ENGINE DIED, AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AFTER WRESTLING THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE FO THE ROAD, A PASSERBY DROVE BACKWARDS IN TRAFFIC TO ALERT ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS BURNING. IF NOT FOR HIM, WE MIGHT NOT HAVE GOTTEN OUT IN TIME. FLAMING FUEL WAS DRIPPING DOWN FROM IN THE CHASSIS, DRIVER SIDE, IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL, APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE FUELING RECEPTACLE WAS. THE POOL OF BURNING FUEL ON THE GROUND COULD NOT BE EXTINGUISHED. A PASSERBY EMPTIED A 15LB FIRE EXTINGUISHER ONTO THE AREA, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE FLAMING LEAKING FUEL. BY NOW, IT WAS LEAKING WITH THE INTENSITY OF A SMALL SHOWER HEAD. THE ENTIRE TRUCK BURNED TO THE GROUND RAPIDLY. THE TRUCK WAS TWO WEEKS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES. IT WAS UNMODIFIED. GM, CHEVROLET, AND WESELOH CHEVROLET WERE UTTERLY UNCONCERNED, AND UNMOVED BY THIS DISASTER. THEY TREATED THE INCIDENT AS IF I HAD WRONGLY COMPLAINED THAT THE FLOOR MATS DIDN'T FIT CORRECTLY. YOU CAN FIND A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE: HTTPS://BIT.LY/2XFBYEB
I PURCHASED MY TRUCK BRAND NEW. I LOVE THIS TRUCK BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM OR SOMETHING GOING ON. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS STARTED. I WAS DRIVING ON 02-16-2019 WITH MY BRAND NEW BABY GIRL JUST 7 WEEKS OLD WHEN SUDDENLY SOMETHING STARTED TO SMELL REALLY TOXIC AND IT FILLED THE ENTIRE TRUCK WITH WHAT SM…
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I PURCHASED MY TRUCK BRAND NEW. I LOVE THIS TRUCK BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM OR SOMETHING GOING ON. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS STARTED. I WAS DRIVING ON 02-16-2019 WITH MY BRAND NEW BABY GIRL JUST 7 WEEKS OLD WHEN SUDDENLY SOMETHING STARTED TO SMELL REALLY TOXIC AND IT FILLED THE ENTIRE TRUCK WITH WHAT SMELLED LIKE DIESEL FUMES. SMELLS LIKE SOMEONE DUMPED 10 GALLONS OF FUEL INSIDE MY TRUCK. THERE IS NO SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE. MY BABY IS SCREAMING AND GETTING EXPOSED TO THESE NITROGEN DIOXIDES IN LARGE AMOUNTS AND BREATHING IT IN. MY BABY'S CLOTHES AND BLANKETS SMELL LIKE FUEL, MY CLOTHES SMELL LIKE FUEL. MY SEATS SMELL LIKE FUEL. THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK IS POISONING MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER AND NOW I AM PANICKING BECAUSE THERE IS NO SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. I DROVE FOR 20 MORE MINUTES BEFORE I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. I CALLED A FRIEND TO COME GET MY BABY. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK HOME. I THINK BABY IS OK BECAUSE I GOT HER OUT RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE BEEN SICK EVER SINCE. MY HEAD HURTS AND I CAN NOT TALK RIGHT. I DON'T FEEL GOOD. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER 1 800 222 1020 AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. WHEN I ARRIVED THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE IT WAS SATURDAY. THEY LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED CHEVY TRUCKS AND HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FAN AND LONG TIME CUSTOMER BUT THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE KILLED MY DAUGHTER IF I HAD NOT BEEN SO CLOSE TO TOWN. I WILL NEVER EVER FEEL SAFE IN THAT TRUCK AGAIN. EVEN IF CHEVY DOES FIX IT. THIS WAS THE SCARIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME.
Official recalls
524V756000 · 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.
23V047000 · Fuel System, Diesel:storage:tank Assembly
Feb 2, 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.
21V496000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jul 1, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.
19V328000 · Engine
Apr 25, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.
17V567000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Sep 14, 2017
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. The front seat belt retractor assemblies were built with the incorrect torsion bar. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's numbers for this recall are 17368, 17375, and 17376.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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