Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a bad year?
524 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 171, 9× a quiet Silverado 1500 year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 9× the complaints of a quiet Silverado 1500 year, spread over 11k–80k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Silverado 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 31,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 171 (33%) | 11k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 105 (20%) | 21k–85k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 99 (19%) | 30k–74k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 42 (8%) | 5k–49k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 32 (6%) | 6k–32k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 19 (4%) | 14k–63k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 16 (3%) | 3k–43k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 15 (3%) | 24k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (2%) | 1k–45k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 108 (21%) | 32k–100k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 11 (2%) | 3k–30k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (1%) | 1k–10k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 19 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 31,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 524 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
61 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
When I opened doors the fuel pump turns on, while I'm driving it shifts and runs funny and you hear popping noises.
While driving on interstate towing empty 12' trailer, the engine stopped and received stabilitrack message and transmission too hot.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 31,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 7
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. 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.
The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture. 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.
The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture. 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.
The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture. 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.
The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist. A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 483
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine related shudder
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares
Neighbouring years
2017 Silverado 1500: 714 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2019 Silverado 1500: 1,103 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Silverado 1500 years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a bad year?
524 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 171, 9× a quiet Silverado 1500 year. At 31,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 9× the complaints of a quiet Silverado 1500 year, spread over 11k–80k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (171), electrical system (105), brakes (99), steering (42), suspension (32). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 11k–80k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-325), Air bags (NHTSA 26V-166), Air bags (NHTSA 25V-432), Air bags (NHTSA 24V-756) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.