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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

Service Brakes complaints

85 reports
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69,000 miles · Jun 2, 2023
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the computer module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired…

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the computer module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and there was smoke coming from the four wheels. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate or move forward. The contact pulled over, and her husband drove the vehicle to the residence. Additionally, while driving, the vehicle failed to move, and smoke was detected from the brakes. While her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, he was unable to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the rear calipers had detached, and the braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and the contact was informed that the front brake calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion while driving at an unknown speed, there was smoke coming from the brakes. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the hydraulic control module and referred her to the local dealer for assistance. The electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #11525015

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2023
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlWheels

While driving on the highway the vehicle began to shake and the stability track light came on. It felt like it affected the transmission. We had to get it towed 30 miles to our home area. Shop Calibrated the brakes and says that took care of it. This vehicle only has 30,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11523385

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2023
Service Brakes

RECEIVING A PERSISTENT 'SERVICE - TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #11518191

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2023
Service Brakes

:Service Trailer Brake" warning comes on on every start up with no trailer hooked up. The warning can usually be dismissed, but for 40 minutes one time ,it constantly came on and off constantly. Could not get it to stop. Very distracting and dangerous. An independent repair shop has confirmed the condition, but unable to diag…

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:Service Trailer Brake" warning comes on on every start up with no trailer hooked up. The warning can usually be dismissed, but for 40 minutes one time ,it constantly came on and off constantly. Could not get it to stop. Very distracting and dangerous. An independent repair shop has confirmed the condition, but unable to diagnose problem.

NHTSA ODI #11518021

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2023
Service Brakes

Service braking system attention

NHTSA ODI #11513739

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2023
Power TrainService Brakes

Transmission doesn’t shift smoothly and often slams into second gear from first very hard. Downshifting on rare occasions shifts to a lower gear before necessary causing rpms to go from 2800-3000 up to 4500-5000. I have to touch the gas real quick to upshift. Also brakes seem to require extra strength to engage if hard braking …

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Transmission doesn’t shift smoothly and often slams into second gear from first very hard. Downshifting on rare occasions shifts to a lower gear before necessary causing rpms to go from 2800-3000 up to 4500-5000. I have to touch the gas real quick to upshift. Also brakes seem to require extra strength to engage if hard braking is required. Like the booster is not reacting properly.

NHTSA ODI #11510701

69,000 miles · Feb 15, 2023
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrash

The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 80 MPH the steering wheel became stiff and the vehicle would not brake without any warning. The contact desperately pressed on the brake pedal but the vehicle would not brake, causing the contact to be struck by another vehicle on the driver's…

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The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 80 MPH the steering wheel became stiff and the vehicle would not brake without any warning. The contact desperately pressed on the brake pedal but the vehicle would not brake, causing the contact to be struck by another vehicle on the driver's side. No one was injured and no major damage to none of the vehicles. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a loss. All the air bags deploy but the front driver side. The manufacturer was not unable to reach them. The failure mileage was 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #11507517

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2022
Service Brakes

The brakes failed to work when I was in a parking lot. As I was pulling into a parking spot, the brakes did not work even when I pumped them. I was going approximately 3mph. It startled me, so I put the truck in neutral and then into park. Then I turned the vehicle off. Fortunately, this happened in a parking lot and I was able…

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The brakes failed to work when I was in a parking lot. As I was pulling into a parking spot, the brakes did not work even when I pumped them. I was going approximately 3mph. It startled me, so I put the truck in neutral and then into park. Then I turned the vehicle off. Fortunately, this happened in a parking lot and I was able to avoid hitting anything, including a pedestrian. Also, this put my husband and me at great risk because if I had not chosen to go back into a parking lot, and had gone into an intersection and been unable to stop, I could have entered the intersection and been in a serious accident. The truck functioned well enough to get to my dealership. I avoided driving it for a couple of weeks until they could run diagnostics. Between the time it first happened and bringing it to the dealership, the problem did not occur. However, when the technician was driving it into the shop, it happened to him too. They did perform diagnostics and found a problem with a brake Pump 3.280 (Part No. 12696313). I had it repaired at my own expense ($587.65) on Nov. 22, 2022. NOTE: This truck has only 25,673 miles on it. There has been a recall for this problem on Silverados from this year, but my VIN number was not included in the recall. There were no warnings prior to this event. I would like to have this repair cost reimbursed.

NHTSA ODI #11495506

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2022
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I have done some research and found other trucks same year and make have had the same problem and have had recalls but the problem is when I hit the break the lights will all flash like the truck is going to stall and it will say service trailer break system and stablitrak system and will even shut my truck off while I’m driving…

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I have done some research and found other trucks same year and make have had the same problem and have had recalls but the problem is when I hit the break the lights will all flash like the truck is going to stall and it will say service trailer break system and stablitrak system and will even shut my truck off while I’m driving causing me to have to either pull of the side of the road and start my truck back up

NHTSA ODI #11494773

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2022
Power TrainService BrakesUnknown Or Other

On Saturday Aug 6th, 2022 my girlfriend and I were driving in my 2018 Chevy Silverado and the car just came to a complete stop really hard. Once the truck froze up, the car would go FOWARD but very slow, jerkish, and sluggish. We were almost hit by three cars behind us when the truck froze up. The truck was towed to the dealer…

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On Saturday Aug 6th, 2022 my girlfriend and I were driving in my 2018 Chevy Silverado and the car just came to a complete stop really hard. Once the truck froze up, the car would go FOWARD but very slow, jerkish, and sluggish. We were almost hit by three cars behind us when the truck froze up. The truck was towed to the dealership where they diagnosed the truck with METAL SHAVINGS in the TRANSMISSION. And the engine light came on four weeks after I bought the vehicle last October. This time…. There was NO engine light on. Nothing displayed on dashboard.

NHTSA ODI #11482941

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.