VehicleVerdict

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sits mid-pack among Silverado 1500 years: 735 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 693, with 7 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (166), electrical system (113), and engine (105), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

735

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

13

Injuries

2

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Silverado 1500 years?

See all Silverado 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission16623%
Electrical System11315%
Engine10514%
Brakes9613%
Other598%
Steering416%
Suspension324%
Fuel System193%
Tires & Wheels182%
Speed Control182%
Driver Assistance152%
Airbags142%
Body & Structure111%
Seat Belts101%
Visibility & Wipers81%
Lighting71%
Seats30%

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V325000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 2,785 units

Defect

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

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 are expected to be mailed July 6, 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.

26V166000AirbagsMarch 19, 2026 · 2,819 units

Defect

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

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.

25V432000AirbagsJune 26, 2025 · 1,658 units

Defect

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

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.

24V756000AirbagsOctober 10, 2024 · 2,061 units

Defect

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

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.

20V603000BrakesOctober 1, 2020 · 14,620 units

Defect

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

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.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

Defect

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.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Motor vehicle accident 4/21/22. Vehicle stalled hit by 18 wheeler. Several times on several occasions after that on several days vehicle stalled in interstates with multiple 18 wheelers, trucks cars almost hitting me/my vehicle each time it stalled. Now and since May 2022, the transmission…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 21, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 7, 2022 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD NOISE OUTSIDE HER RESIDENCE. A NEIGHBOR CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 19, 2019 · fire

The wheel/wheels locked up while in motion and caused vehicle to veer off road and cause the vehicle to crash. ABS light and Stability Control System warning came on prior to crash.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 18, 2023 · crash

The wheel/wheels locked up while in motion and caused vehicle to veer off road and cause the vehicle to crash. ABS light and Stability Control System warning came on prior to crash.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 18, 2023 · crash

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — common questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Silverado 1500: 735 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2018 Silverado 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (166 complaints), electrical system (113 complaints), engine (105 complaints).

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2019, 2015, 2008, 2007, 2016, 2021, 2020, 2022, 2011, 2009, 2023, 2010, 2013, 2024, 2012. The cleanest record among Silverado 1500 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.