2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission and torque-converter trouble — shuddering, hesitation, harsh shifting and overheating warnings — that frequently appears from around 30,000 miles upward. A second common theme is a shudder-or-stall episode in which the truck loses power and dashboard messages flash, which owners often trace to wiring, voltage or stability-control faults. Brake complaints center on reduced power assist traced to the vacuum pump at moderate mileage.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, hesitation and overheating

   • 125 complaints (24%)
   • median 36,500 mi at 3.2 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $7,300 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe a shudder or vibration while driving, especially at steady highway speeds or light throttle, and hesitation when accelerating from a stop or rolling start. Some owners report hard 1-2 shifts, warning messages about the transmission overheating that require pulling over to let it cool, and in some cases fluid changes, thermostat removal, transmission control module replacement or full transmission and torque-converter replacement. Dealers reportedly flushed the transmission, replaced the module or converter, or in some cases could not duplicate the problem. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 120,000 miles, often appearing at highway speeds or while towing.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at steady 45-70 mph and feel for vibration or shudder under light throttle, and check for harsh downshifts. Ask whether the transmission fluid or torque converter has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission shifts hard from first to second/second back to first. I noticed this about a week after purchasing truck. Shifts hard mostly in 2wd, not so much in 4wd or hauling/towing. Leaf springs and shackles have squeaked since day one of purchase. Engine oil pressure is at 12-15psi at idle and will not exceed 32-35 PSI under normal conditions with or without a load. I've changed the oil filter and oil pressure sensor multiple times. There also seems to be a chirp/tick coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11322999, filed 2020-05, 42,500 miles

   “While driving on interstate towing empty 12' trailer, the engine stopped and received stabilitrack message and transmission too hot. This happened again after letting engine cool down. Had the tramission fluid changed two days later. Dealer just stated their was a loss of communication with the engine. One week later received transmission hot, idle engine message on the interstate while hauling the same trailer with only a riding lawnmower. Pulled over for 30 minutes and drove the rest of the way home at a reduced speed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11344189, filed 2020-08, 71,500 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Truck shuts down or goes into limp mode

   • 110 complaints (21%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (59 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,158 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the instrument panel going dark, the radio and clock resetting, a loss of power steering and the truck either shutting off or restarting on its own, sometimes while slowing for a turn or accelerating into traffic. Steady messages such as 'Service StabiliTrak' and flashing ABS or stability lights are common in these accounts. Several report that dealers could not find a cause, while others mention harness damage or a module replacement. Spread widely from under 20,000 to over 130,000 miles, often at low speeds such as parking or turning.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any stored codes for the stability, ABS or Body Control systems were checked, and have a mechanic inspect the main wiring harness and connectors for chafing or corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Truck will lose all power, everything will shut off, and then come right back on. It has happened while accelerating into traffic, slowing down turning right and turning left, and while moving straight ahead. It has been in the shop once for this same issue and they tell me they cannot find anything wrong with it. The stabilitrac warning will come on and go off and have had stall warning flash in traffic at stop lights. This has been going on for the last 12,000 miles and I have 20,083 miles on truck now. The clock and radio reset. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11364076, filed 2020-10, 19,934 miles

   “At slow speeds, such as when parking, the truck’s electrical system shuts down, I lose power steering, dash lights, radio, and then the truck restarts itself and continues. This has happened multiple times and Chevrolet dealers don’t w what the problem is. If nearly collided twice due to lack of power steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #11416713, filed 2021-05, 24,084 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine knocking with camshaft, lifter or coolant issues

   • 74 complaints (14%)
   • median 59,700 mi at 5.9 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,234 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report abnormal knocking, ticking or whining from the engine, rough running, misfires in a single cylinder and loss of power, sometimes with the check engine light on. Diagnoses in the complaints include failed camshafts and lifters, coolant entering a cylinder, and coolant mixing with engine oil. Repairs described range from lifter and guide replacement to radiator replacement and flushing. Reported anywhere from about 10,000 to 150,000 miles, with many accounts above 60,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at cold start and under light load, check engine oil condition for coolant contamination, and ask whether camshaft or lifter work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Its a brand new pickup track when I got it after one year a issue came up with caramel looks like leaking under the truck, radiator coolant got mix with engine oil. No warning light , engine might overheat or engine might lockup. The dealer replaced the radiator and just flush the line. I heard so many complaint about this issue. But never heard any recalled.”

   NHTSA complaint #11306902, filed 2020-02, 10,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic to inspect the vehicle. The independent mechanic discovered that the camshaft and lifters were inoperable. The mechanic stated that the issue would worsen if the vehicle were continually driven. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11731549, filed 2026-04, 147,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Reduced power brake assist

   • 80 complaints (15%)
   • median 50,350 mi at 4.2 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $587 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the brake pedal feeling hard or extending toward the floor, requiring extra effort and extending stopping distance, often alongside a 'Service Brake Assist' message. Owners who had the truck diagnosed were told the mechanical vacuum pump had failed and needed replacement. Some report that dealers or the manufacturer said their vehicle was not covered by a related recall on the vacuum pump. Most often reported between roughly 30,000 and 120,000 miles, typically during ordinary low-speed stops.

   Recall 20V603000Recall 19V645000

   What to check: Ask whether the vacuum pump has been replaced or inspected, and check whether any open safety recalls apply to the truck by VIN. Test the pedal feel on a cold start and during repeated low-speed stops.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Started having soft/hard braking issues when going at low speeds. Pump the brake petal a few times to try and apply more pressure but does not do the trick. Do not see any issue's with leaks or damage. Seen recalls for vacuum pumps with the year and model the same.”

   NHTSA complaint #11342080, filed 2020-07, 44,000 miles

   “Loss of power due to vacuum pump. Message pops up on speedo saying service brake assist as the brakes stop working. Happens at slower speeds while moving (city driving)”

   NHTSA complaint #11339757, filed 2020-07, 48,700 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Seat belt and rear defroster failures

   • 20 complaints (4%)
   • median 28,750 mi at 2.8 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Some owners describe seat belts that fail to retract or stay tight against occupants, and a rear middle belt bracket that broke repeatedly and left the belt twisted and unusable. Others report the rear window shattering after the rear defroster was switched on, with smoke and a burning electrical smell. Complaints note that dealers either could not help or replaced parts without resolving the concern. Mostly reported under 60,000 miles, with the defroster and rear glass accounts often at low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Pull each seat belt slowly and confirm it retracts and locks properly, and try the rear defroster briefly while watching the back glass for uneven heating or damaged grid lines.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500. The contact stated that the front passenger's, rear passenger's, and the rear driver's side seat belt failed to retract and was tight around chest. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and there would be no assistance in repairing the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11391055, filed 2021-02, 58,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check the transmission behavior and scan for stored codes before purchase, since shudder and hesitation complaints are the most frequent theme for this year. Confirm the vacuum-brake-assisted pump condition and verify open air-bag and brake recalls by VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.