YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 Corvette years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette ranks 14th out of 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 13 and a "Best" verdict. NHTSA lists 51 complaints and 1 recall, with Suspension, Wheels & Tires making up 90% of complaints.

Complaints
51
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 24 hwy

Top 2018 Chevy Corvette problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires46 (90%)
  2. Brakes2 (4%)
  3. Electrical System1 (2%)
  4. Other1 (2%)
  5. Steering1 (2%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (2%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Wheels bend or crack in normal driving, sometimes within a few hundred to a few thousand miles, causing steering wheel vibration.
  • Rear or front wheels replaced multiple times after going out of round with no visible impact damage.
  • Brake rotors develop rust bands that score the pads, which GM reportedly called cosmetic rather than a defect.
  • Brakes described as going soft and sinking to the floor, with one incident leading to a rear-end crash.
  • The 8-speed automatic transmission bucks and clunks during acceleration or upshifting in both automatic and manual mode.
  • Electric power steering assist lost suddenly during driving, requiring heavy manual steering input to regain control.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette complaints: complaints filed per month6Jul 2018Mar 2019Jul 2019Dec 2019Jul 2020Mar 2021Sep 2022Dec 2024
53 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2018 to Dec 2024; peak Oct 2020 (6).

2018 Chevrolet Corvette recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V175000Mar 20, 2025Steering934 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.

2018 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,450
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Corvette years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution67104219
2017Avoid100256418.5
2018Best1351118
2019Avoid93148117
2020Best2034419

All Chevrolet Corvette years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Among Corvette model years tracked, 2018 has a complaint index of 13, the second-lowest of the 16 years, and carries a "Best" verdict relative to other Corvette years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 46 of 51 complaints (90%), mostly involving bent or cracked wheels, with a median failure mileage of 10,518.
Does the 2018 Corvette have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2018 Corvette, covering a possible failure of the electric power steering assist; dealers replace the power steering gear assembly free of charge.
How does the 2018 Corvette compare to the 2017 and 2019 Corvette?
The 2018 Corvette's complaint index of 13 is far lower than the 2017 model's 100 and the 2019 model's 93, both rated "Avoid," making 2018 a comparatively strong year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.