This page covers 7 recalls, 501 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2018 Silverado 1500 draws the most complaints around the powertrain, with transmission problems leading the pack. Owners frequently describe abrupt RPM spikes accompanied by a sudden loss of acceleration, sometimes leaving the truck unable to move in either direction. Torque converter and transmission shudder show up across multiple reports as well. Engine complaints are the next most common cluster, with owners reporting abnormal whining noises traced to camshaft and lifter failures, a pattern that points to the AFM (Active Fuel Management) valvetrain as a recurring trouble area. Electrical system issues round out the top three, though those reports are more scattered in nature. A smaller number of owners also mention structural frame corrosion, describing rust severe enough to fail state safety inspections at relatively low mileage, with at least one dealer recommending cutting and welding affected sections to restore structural integrity.
501
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 7 recalls, the most serious involving the roof rail curtain airbags, where the inflator end cap or sidewall can rupture and send metal fragments or compressed gas into the cabin.
On the brake side, two separate issues affect stopping performance. A faulty sensor in the driveline-protection system on trucks equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, 3.08-ratio rear axle, and four-wheel drive can trigger unintended braking on one side of the vehicle, causing it to pull sharply to one side without warning. Separately, the mechanical vacuum pump that powers the brake booster can lose output over time, which causes the brake pedal to require noticeably more force and extends the distance needed to bring the vehicle to a stop.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator end cap may detach or the inflator sidewall may rupture, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both roof rail air bag modules at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 7 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator may have a loose end cap that could detach, or the inflator itself may rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right roof rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The end cap on either the left or right roof-rail air bag inflator may come loose, or the inflator itself may crack and rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator's end cap may come loose or the inflator itself may crack, affecting the left or right side of the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The mechanical vacuum pump's output decreases over time, reducing the vacuum supply that helps power the brakes.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wheel-speed sensor may fail, causing the brake control computer to incorrectly activate the driveline-protection system while driving 41–60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the brake control computer at no cost to prevent the system from activating incorrectly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vacuum pump produces less vacuum over time, which can reduce braking system performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module at no cost to restore proper braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
