YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette has a complaint index of 10, ranking 19th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Best verdict. Suspension, wheels, and tires make up 90% of its 46 complaints in that category, with a median failure mileage of 10,518, plus one steering recall.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Corvette years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
51
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2018 Chevy Corvette problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Wheels bend or crack under normal driving conditions, sometimes requiring replacement of multiple wheels.
  • Vibration develops within the first few hundred to few thousand miles, often traced to an out-of-round or bent rear wheel.
  • Brake pedal reportedly goes soft or drops toward the floor with a pulsating feeling, leading in one case to a rear-end crash.
  • Brake rotors develop rust bands that score the pads instead of wearing off, which the owner described as a cosmetic issue GM would not cover.
  • Electric power steering can lose assist suddenly, producing a thump through the wheel and requiring heavy manual input to control the car.
  • The 8-speed automatic transmission bucks or clunks during acceleration and upshifts in both automatic and manual modes.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette complaints: complaints filed per month6Jul 2018Mar 2019Jul 2019Dec 2019Jul 2020Mar 2021Sep 2022Dec 2024
51 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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution60104219
2017Avoid80256418.5
2018Best1051118
2019Avoid75148116.5
2020Best2034419

All Chevrolet Corvette years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Corvette ranks 19th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 10 and a Best verdict relative to other Corvette years.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Corvette?
Suspension, wheels, and tires account for 90% of complaints, 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 potential failure of the electric power steering assist, with dealers replacing the power steering gear assembly at no charge.
How does the 2018 Corvette compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 10, the 2018 Corvette scores far better than years like 2008 (complaint index 100) or 2005 (complaint index 95), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Corvette?
The 2018 Corvette is EPA-rated at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $4,450.

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.