Research

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 522 owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Most complaints involve power train (170) and electrical system (104). NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
522
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V325000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 19, 2026NHTSA 26V166000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 26, 2025NHTSA 25V432000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

522 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train170
  2. Electrical system104
  3. Engine103
  4. Service brakes85
  5. Steering42
  6. Suspension32
  7. Vehicle speed control19
  8. Fuel/propulsion system17
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Silverado 1500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1999587
2018522
2022663
2026132
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

170 reports1 crash
“My truck has been shuttering when accelerating and hard shifts periodically. The engine is also tapping. I have right at 74000 miles. regular oil changes and maintenances.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11758850

Electrical system

104 reports1 crash2 fires
“Power Sliding Glass window on rear of vehicle had a thermal failure, resulting in heavy smoke buildup in the cap followed by the window shattering. My vehicle has already received the recall repair, GM Program #N192265660 / NHSTA TSB #10171416, but the defect reoccurred and caused destruction to the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11773850

Engine

103 reports2 fires
“I Tried to get a tune up and found out that the Engine need 5000 worth of engine repairs. I have changed the oil and filter every three thousand miles. Those engine are defective and the repair shops are full of the same type of repairs on that type of engine. My engine is a 5.3-liter V8, The engine started to make ticking noises out of nowhere and then it started missing badly. The repair shop informed me it would take 3 weeks before i could get it repaired at the cost of 5000.I did research on the 5.3 liter engine and found out that GM produced a engine that will cost us owners a lot of our heard money for a defect they created, This is so wrong Because i am a senior citizen. I paid over 50,000 for a limon that is just wrong.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026EngineODI 11765997
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid PU/CC RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 12213Vehicle 12212Vehicle 12211
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2018 Silverado 1500 questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?

Owners filed 522 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (170), electrical system (104), engine (103). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

How safe is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026