2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 7 recalls, 520 owner complaints.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V645000 · 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles
What's wrong: The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump May decrease over time.
Why it matters: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
Brakes, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V761000 · 2019 · 652,967 vehicles
What's wrong: 3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the electronic-brake control module (ebcm) software May activate the driveline-protection system.
Why it matters: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ebcm, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #20V603000 · 2020 · 14,620 vehicles
What's wrong: 3l or 6.2l v8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Why it matters: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020.
Airbags Vehicle recall #24V756000 · 2024 · 2,061 vehicles
What's wrong: The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap May detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall May rupture.
Why it matters: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024.
Airbags Vehicle recall #25V432000 · 2025 · 1,658 vehicles
What's wrong: The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap May detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall May rupture.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2025.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V166000 · 2026 · 2,819 vehicles
What's wrong: The left or right-side roof rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap May detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall May rupture.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right-side rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V325000 · 2026 · 4,315 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace both rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (171): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (76), noise or vibration (45), warning light on (30).
- Electrical (103): the most common themes are electrical failure (38), stalls / loses power (27), warning light on (18).
- Engine (103): the most common themes are warning light on (38), stalls / loses power (23).
- Brakes (85): the most common themes are noise or vibration (16), warning light on (12).
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 520 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 33 Silverado 1500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 547). Complaints peaked in 2025 (91 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 36,750 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (713 complaints, 7 recalls), 2019 (1089 complaints, 10 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
Owners have filed 520 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (171), electrical (103), engine (103).
Where can I get a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.