2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Recalls and Problems
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 524 owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
Recalled components: air bags and brakes. Most-described problem: shaking, shuddering or vibration (66 complaints, 13%). Most-reported area: powertrain (171 complaints, 33%; median mileage when it happened: 30,000).
One of the best Silverado 1500 years by owner complaints
The 2018 drew 115 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 176 for a typical Silverado 1500 year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
No Silverado 1500 year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2018. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N262557310.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N262549710.
The left or right-sideroof-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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N252513060.
The left or right-sideroof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: 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 and full notice
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC Customer Service at 888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N242474500.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N242474500.
The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Risk: 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 and full notice
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N202300860.
Brakes
Oct 24, 2019
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · wheel speed sensor/tone ring
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.
Risk: 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 and full notice
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: 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 and full notice
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N192268490.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
What owners report
Owners have filed 524 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Silverado 1500. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Shaking, shuddering or vibration66 · 13%
Median 36,300 miles at failure, from 30 reports with mileage
Transmission failure or replacement54 · 10%
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting45 · 9%
Median 17,200 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode42 · 8%
Median 54,400 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Check engine light40 · 8%
Median 99,000 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off34 · 6%
Median 45,000 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Median 30,000 miles at failure, from 57 reports with mileage
Electrical system105 · 20%
Most named: integrated trailer brake control (3) · Median 38,000 miles at failure, from 30 reports with mileage
Engine103 · 20%
Median 51,100 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Brakes96 · 18%
Median 48,700 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Steering42 · 8%
Median 28,000 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Suspension32 · 6%
Median 15,000 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Speed control19 · 4%
Unknown or other58 · 11%
Median 25,500 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2018 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Silverado 1500 drew the most (338) and the 2018 drew 115.
Owner complaints
2018: 524 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Model year
Complaints
2010
425
2011
640
2012
284
2013
366
2014
1,562
2015
1,187
2016
802
2017
840
2018
524
2019
1,105
2020
755
2021
859
2022
663
2023
397
2024
323
2025
111
2026
132
Safety recalls
2018: 7 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
6
2012
3
2013
3
2014
17
2015
17
2016
14
2017
7
2018
7
2019
10
2020
12
2021
8
2022
6
2023
3
2024
2
2025
0
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What are the most common 2018 Silverado 1500 problems?
In the 524 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the problems described most are shaking, shuddering or vibration (66), transmission failure or replacement (54), and jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (45). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
How do I check if my Silverado 1500 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: SILVERADO 1500.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.