VehicleVerdict

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Silverado 3500 years?

See all Silverado 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine726%
Fuel System415%
Other415%
Electrical System311%
Transmission27%
Steering27%
Body & Structure27%
Brakes14%
Driver Assistance14%
Tires & Wheels14%

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have recalls?

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

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.

23V047000Fuel SystemFebruary 2, 2023 · 22,132 units

Defect

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

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.

21V496000Electrical SystemJuly 1, 2021 · 338,020 units

Defect

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

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.

19V328000EngineApril 25, 2019 · 318,374 units

Defect

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

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.

19V088000Fuel SystemFebruary 7, 2019 · 18,574 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Consequence

If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear-tank fuel-pump module, inspect the front tank and, if necessary, replace the front tank, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2019. GM's number for this recall is N182204190.

17V567000Seat BeltsSeptember 14, 2017 · 38,048 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000(ENGINE). AFTER CONTACTING RELIABLE CHEVROLET (9901 COORS BLVD, ALBUQUERQUE, NM) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2019

The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Commercial Vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V496000 (Equipment) and 23V047000(Fuel System, Diesel) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 28, 2025

The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Commercial Vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V496000 (Equipment) and 23V047000(Fuel System, Diesel) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 28, 2025

Recall N192265660 repair failed. Dealer stated that GM refused to participate in the repair. Smoke and smell of burning electrical followed by the rear window exploding. Dealer quoted over $1900 to repair and suggested we go aftermarket and have the repair done elsewhere. Vehicle has approximately…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 17, 2026

REDUCTANT HEATER WENT OUT. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS YET NO RECALL SO WHEN YOU ARE OVER THERE EMMISIONS WARRANTY YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK TRUCK HAD 60K ON IT AND IS GOING TO COST ME 1600$ BETWEEN PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX IT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 19, 2021

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 — common questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 Silverado 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (7 complaints), other (4 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado 3500 years to avoid are 2000, 1998, 2001, 1997, 2015, 1999, 2016, 2024, 2002, 2011, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2012, 2009, 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among Silverado 3500 years belongs to 1994.

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.