2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 520 complaints, 7 recalls, and a median failure mileage of 36,750 miles, making it one of the stronger years for this model.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Silverado 1500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 520
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 1
Top 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain171 (33%)
- Engine127 (24%)
- Brakes111 (21%)
- Electrical System107 (21%)
- Other59 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires49 (9%)
- Steering42 (8%)
- Fuel System19 (4%)
- Airbags15 (3%)
- Structure & Body14 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Roof-rail airbags failed to deploy in crashes, including one at 45 mph that left the truck totaled and a broken back, and another after striking a deer.
- Seat belt pretensioners fired unexpectedly during a low-speed parking lot incident, locking both front belts and filling the cabin with smoke.
- Engines caught fire without warning, both while parked and unoccupied and after unusual noises were reported outside the vehicle.
- Electronic Brake Control Module issues led to reduced braking assist, with one owner reporting hard downshifting and brakes clunking when stopping.
- A rear tire blew out at speed, causing loss of control and a fatal crash into a roadside wall.
- The electrical system intermittently cut out during turns, causing power steering to fail momentarily.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V325000May 21, 2026Airbags4,315 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262557310. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V166.
- NHTSA 26V166000Mar 19, 2026Airbags2,819 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262549710. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V432000Jun 26, 2025Airbags1,658 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2025. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252513060.
2018 compared with other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Silverado 1500 earns a Good verdict, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 25.
- What is the top problem area for the 2018 Silverado 1500?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead, making up 33% of all complaints (171 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 Silverado 1500, most involving roof-rail airbag modules and the Electronic Brake Control Module, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does 2018 compare to other Silverado 1500 years?
- The 2018 model year has a complaint index of 25, far below the worst years like 2014 (100) and 2021 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What did owners report about brakes in the 2018 Silverado 1500?
- Owners reported reduced brake assist tied to the Electronic Brake Control Module recall, with Brakes complaints showing a median failure mileage of 48,700 miles.