Owners have reported 11 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints150
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the transmission in the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, particularly hard shifting and shuddering, often at speeds around 60-65 mph. Many describe hard downshifting, especially from 2nd to 1st gear, and a delay in shifting that results in a noticeable jerk. Transmission failures are noted at mileages ranging from approximately 70,000 to over 115,000 miles, with some attributing problems to the torque converter. Safety implications include one reported crash and two injuries, with incidents of the vehicle losing power or the transmission locking up, causing sudden stops. Buyers should be aware of these issues, as they are commonly mentioned and may require significant repair costs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints86
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report significant issues with the electrical system of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, particularly involving the rear defroster and rear sliding window. Complaints frequently mention overheating of the rear defroster, which has led to smoke, shattering windows, and in some cases, fires. These incidents often occur without prior warning and can happen while the vehicle is in motion, posing a potential safety risk. Additionally, some reports indicate problems with wiring harnesses leading to power failures, and touchscreen malfunctions causing distraction. These issues are noted at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 30,000 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these specific electrical concerns and the associated safety implications.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 3 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints54
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly related to the brake vacuum pump and brake booster failures. Common symptoms include a hard or stiff brake pedal, increased stopping distance, and intermittent "Brake Assist" or "Service Trailer Brake" warnings, often without any prior warning lights. These issues are generally noted at mileages ranging from 30,000 to over 160,000. Safety implications are significant, with at least one crash and injury reported, and several owners mention near-miss incidents due to brake failure. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential brake system issues, especially if the vehicle falls outside of recall coverage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints53
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the engine of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, particularly involving lifter and camshaft failures. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as ticking or knocking noises, rough idling, and the illumination of the check engine light. These issues often occur around 70,000 to 120,000 miles, with some cases leading to complete engine failure. Safety implications include sudden loss of power and potential engine seizure, though no crashes or injuries are reported. Buyers should be aware of these recurring problems, especially since repairs can be costly and time-consuming.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints44
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving intermittent loss of power steering and electrical failures. Typical symptoms include the steering wheel locking up or becoming difficult to turn, often accompanied by dashboard warnings such as "service stability control" or "power steering drive with care." These issues are commonly linked to faulty battery cables or electrical components, with some complaints occurring around 69,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with at least three reported crashes due to steering lockup or electrical failures while driving. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, as they can lead to loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints37
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, notably vibrations at highway speeds, which persist despite wheel balancing attempts. Multiple complaints highlight problems with the rear sliding window defroster, leading to smoke and shattering glass, with some mentioning similarities to a Canadian recall. Transmission issues are also prevalent, with reports of rough shifting and complete failure, often occurring under 40,000 miles. Safety concerns are noted, including a crash attributed to wheel lockup and a fire risk from the rear defroster malfunction. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially regarding potential safety hazards and repair costs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints24
SUSPENSION
Owners report frequent issues with the suspension of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, particularly involving upper control arms and leaf springs. Complaints often describe control arms breaking at the ball joints, sometimes while driving, with rust visible at the break points, suggesting pre-existing cracks. Leaf springs are also noted for causing clunking noises and vibrations, with some reports of them cracking or requiring repeated retightening of u-bolts. These issues are commonly observed at mileage as low as 2,000 to 25,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with some owners expressing concern over potential loss of control or accidents, especially at highway speeds or while towing. These patterns are important for used car buyers to consider.
Owner complaints14
AIR BAGS
Owners report several issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, including unexpected airbag deployment and failure to deploy during crashes. Complaints frequently mention the "Service Restraint System" warning light and issues with airbag module connectivity, with some incidents occurring around 50,000 to 72,500 miles. There are reports of airbags not deploying in crashes, resulting in injuries, and instances of airbags deploying without a crash, causing concern. Additionally, some owners describe a lack of passenger seat belt warning systems, which could affect airbag effectiveness. These patterns indicate potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints13
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado frequently report issues with the fuel/propulsion system, notably involving fuel pump failures and injector problems. Common symptoms include rough idling, stalling, loss of power, and engine misfires, often without immediate warning lights. Several reports mention fuel pump failures around 60,000 miles, while injector issues are identified through diagnostic codes and require significant repairs. Safety concerns are noted, with some owners experiencing stalling in traffic or fuel leaks, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated repair costs when considering this model.
Owner complaints11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado frequently report issues related to engine oil consumption and leaks, often accompanied by abnormal sounds from the engine and difficulty accelerating. Complaints commonly mention oil leaks due to deteriorating gaskets and excessive oil consumption, with some cases involving coolant intrusion and metal shavings in the engine oil. These issues typically arise around 50,000 to 110,000 miles. Additionally, several owners describe problems with overheating, faulty water pumps, and radiator leaks, which can lead to further engine damage if unresolved. Safety implications include reduced power and vehicle shutdowns, particularly when the engine overheats or enters limp mode, but no crashes or fires are reported. These patterns suggest potential maintenance challenges for prospective buyers, especially for higher-mileage vehicles.
