Problems · by component
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 power train problems
170 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cite power train, 33% of all 522 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
170
33% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“There was premature torque converter failure that’s has taken out the transmission unexpectedly. I was coming from a side street to get onto a main highway and as I left the stop sign the truck stalled upon take off and I was stuck half way on the highway and halfway on the side road. Until it jerked hard back into gear and pulled off. If the torque converter wouldn’t have caught in time then it could have cause a serious accident. The truck only has 95,000 miles and is a 2018 Silverado 1500 LT 4x4 with the 6l80e transmission. I had to park the truck until the following week when I could take it to dealership and they diagnosed it and quoted me for a new transmission and torque converter. Something needs to be done about these transmission as they are a serious safety concern. No police report was made since there was no accident but there definitely could have been.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle shuddered and multiple warning lights illuminated, including the check engine, check oil, fasten seatbelt, traction control, and brake warning lights. The vehicle experienced steering overcorrection and lost power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and slowly driven to an independent mechanic shop, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the first and second pistons and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.”
“The engine lifters and camshaft started to fail at 114,000 miles. I had to have it repaired at a dealership and it cost over $10,000. I had completed all recommended maintenance prior to the failure. 500 miles after that repair was completed, my transmission overheated and completely left me stranded on the side of the road. I had to have it repaired at a dealership which cost $$8,000”
“A known radiator issue, with microcracks in radiator is producing a leak and will require replacement. There are many examples of this online for the model years 2014-2018, and are known by the manufacturer. I am having mine replaced with 95,000 miles on my truck.”
“Vehicle was determined to be unsafe to operate per inspection performed by Mike Maroone Chevrolet on 8/26/24 immediately after I purchased from Rocky Mountain Auto Brokers in Colorado Springs on 8/8/26. It was discovered by customer immediately after sale that bank 2 catalytic converter was restricted internally (after Rocky Mountain failed to correctly diagnose and repair 3 times before and after purchase). Customer discovered emissions warranty extension and took to Maroone Chevrolet. After warranty repair inspection of vehicle determined it was not safe for customer to pick up and drive vehicle and generated a report and video showing front suspension damage so loose that could cause crash and vehicle was towed back to Rocky Mountain for repairs. Rocky Mountain has failed to provide any documentation on these repairs and many subsequent repairs including transmission replacement after many written requests. Customer cannot verify if vehicle repairs brought vehicle back to a safe condition. Almost anll repairs by Rocky Mountain has failed resulting in missing bolts, bolts falling out after transmission replacement As well as failure of many CV Axel…”
Showing 6 of 170 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.