Chevrolet Silverado Complaints (2018)

598 consumer complaints on file.

#11668352June 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The automatic transmission in my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 4.3L V6 has experienced repeated failures and overheating events starting shortly after a scheduled dealer transmission flush at approximately 50,000 miles. Since then, the transmission has slipped under load, failed to shift properly, and routinely overheated—reaching over 270°F—without triggering a dashboard warning or entering limp mode. Multiple dealer visits confirmed internal transmission damage, including discolored fluid, metal shavings, and torque converter clutch failure. The entire transmission and torque converter were replaced under warranty, along with a redesigned bypass valve. Despite these efforts, the transmission failed again, showing further signs of overheating and debris in the fluid. The vehicle has been inspected and serviced multiple times by the dealership (Karl Chevrolet in Iowa) and GM warranty contractors. The issue persists even after complete transmission replacement. This condition poses a safety risk as loss of power and unexpected gear disengagement occurred during normal road use, including highway driving and towing. Transmission temperatures spiking well beyond GM’s Dexron VI fluid thermal limits raise further concerns about systemic cooling design flaws. Warning signs included high transmission fluid temperatures (over 270°F), RPM surging, harsh downshifts, slipping, poor throttle response, and delayed engagement from park to drive. The manufacturer has been notified, and the issue has been documented with the Attorney General of Iowa. A GM case number was also opened, but no permanent fix has been offered.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667478June 17, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 low pressure fuel pumps have failed. truck stalls in traffic. currently in show with extremely large bill for repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666636June 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
02/03/2022 had brake shuttering and hard brake coming to stops and “Brake Assist” warning dealership pulled code C025E and replaced brake vacuum sensor. 04/22/2024 same problem arose hard braking shuttering pedal and “Brake Assist” warning. Took truck into dealer code C025E came up and they replaced my brake booster.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666148June 10, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact approached the vehicle and observed that the passenger’s and driver’s side roof rail air bags had independently deployed. The contact stated that there were no passengers in the rear seats during the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local auto body shop; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the Insurance provider declined to cover the repairs. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and offered to buy the vehicle back. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V756000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not inclued. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665930June 9, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon running a diagnostic scan on the vehicle, DTC: P0301 was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the exhaust valve lifter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,211.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665375June 6, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING WEARD CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. THEY STATE THIS UNIT IS NOT UNDER RECALL BUT IT IS AN 6L80 AND IT IS ALL OVER YOU TUBE AND THE INTERNET ABOUT FAILURES THAT START WITH THE PM VALVE AND/OR THE TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING THAT IS STAMPED BUT MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO IT CAUSING HARDED STEEL TO MEET STAMPED STEEL CAUSING FRICTION AND WEAR THAT POLUTES THE REMAINDER OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES FAILURE BEFORE 100000 MILES; USUALLY JUST AFTER 50000ISH. WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILS IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF PROPULSION OR COLLION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665138June 5, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine sounded abnormally rough, with a knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and was pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed lifters. The contact was informed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663890May 30, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving down the road in heavy traffic and had complete engine failure due to loss of fuel. Diagnosed as fuel control module. I have seen where GM recalls have been made for similar issues. This put me in danger of collision. Truck is at the dealer and will cost $957.00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663912May 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Doors automatically lock with the keys in the ignition and running locking in anyone who is still in vehicle who cannot open to door physically. It will also prevent you from entering the vehicle without a second set of keys or other methods of unlocking the door (onstar, locksmith). This could put occupants in danger and exposed to the elements unexpectedly and also place inside children in danger. Diagnosis - Keyfob - If battery in keyfob is low, the programming of the vehicle is set to automatically lock even if vehicle is in the ignition and running. when unlocking vehicle with the defective fob, vehicle will unlock, then immediately lock preventing entry. Remedy - Replace battery in key fob and truck works as normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663367May 28, 2025
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The airbag module is not connecting to the rest of the modules. There is a recall on this module in other VINs but not mine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663399May 28, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
Brakes sometimes require more pressure to stop or slow down. Transmission shutters and makes a clunking noise between shifting points. Kind of a sound bad u-joints make. Air Conditioning leaked all freon out in 2024 with 70k miles just 2mos. after service at a GM Dealership. Still not repaired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663479May 28, 2025
ENGINE
On 4/18/25 I was driving to work and was about 2 miles from work when I started to get all kinds of faults displaying on my screen. The engine started to run rough; it sounded like it was not running on all cylinders. After work I drove it straight to the maintenance shop I have been using. They informed me that a lifter failed and went into the cam shaft and created all kinds of metal. I was informed that this was the second Chevrolet Silverado they have had this problem and replaced the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663026May 25, 2025
SUSPENSION, ENGINE
Both upper control arms have broken off at the ball joints. Also the cam and Lifters are failing and this vehicle has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662956May 24, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
My vehicle has had transmission and engine problems that should not have been an issue until after at least 100,000 miles. At 11,577 miles I reported hard down shifting as well as a hard shift / kick when going from reverse to drive when the transmission would feel like it would slip and then kick when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear on automatic transmission. There were no codes and dealership said they couldn't duplicate problem. At 58517 miles the service 4x4 warning light came on as well as a shifting problem was continuing. A transmission valve body was replaced and a transmission service / fluid replacement was done under warranty or extended warranty. The shifting problem has continued. It has come to my understanding that Chevrolet put out a bulletin about changing the transmission fluid should solve the problem and to tell customers that some hard shift could be normal and not a problem. And I have heard about some class action lawsuits that have been filed. A second and more major issue was the 5.3 liter engine failure that occured at 62,093 miles after having a tapping noise develop and some loss of power. But this issue began earlier at 40,125 miles when I had a fuel injection clean due to it running rough. Extended warranty replaced engine with a used motor and I was still charged $1158.93 for amounts extended warranty didn't cover. My Son's 2015 Silverado 1500 which I owned previously had to have the transmission rebuilt for just under $5,000 just out of extended or manufacturer's warranty. We don't pay $60,000-$70,000 to have engines and transmission fail before 100,000 miles and before the loans on vehicles are paid off. We shouldn't have to be paying a loan on a vehicle we can't even drive because it is in the shop for an extended period of time. At 62,298 miles after getting the truck back from the engine failure, the starter then failed and was replaced under extended warranty with $133.76 cost going to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662613May 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The truck started shuttering one day it was like I was driving on the drunk bumps but I wasn't. Also it will drop gears when it shouldn't and at times it will kinda jump like it's losing power and don't want to go. I have taken it to my step dad who has been a transmission mechanic all his life and he said the transmission needs to be rebuilt but even rebuilding it won't solve the problem because it is a flaw in the way it was made so rebuilding it they use the same parts and everything so it will eventually do the same thing again it's all just a matter of when. He also had me go to another really good transmission guy and he said that we could replace the torch converter but still may need a rebuild l. I don't know if any that has to do with my passenger tire wear or my wheel bearing coming loose while driving only one bolt was holding it on when my husband checked it. The wheel bearing coming loose is pretty big safety problem. As for the transmission my step dad works at a transmission shop and he said they get probably 3 to 5 trucks a week having the same problem mine is having and I know they have been recalls on other trucks that have the same problem as mine just my one wasn't in the batch they recalled .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661878May 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal shuddering sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. Additionally, on one occasion when the vehicle was started and shifted into drive(D), the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661384May 16, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally while driving 45 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The mechanic later determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, and determined there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661585May 16, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
Sometimes when traveling higher speeds (55-70)and braking going downhill, a hard brake will come out of nowhere. Not enough lock up the brakes or anything but enough to scare the crap out of you!!! If it would happen to a elderly person or a less experienced driver, they could probably lose control or wrack. With the power train...sometimes when accelerating(from a stop or low speed)it seems as though it gets stuck in gear or skips a gear. You won't have any power then bam... almost cerps the back tires
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660534May 12, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There was fuel in the engine oil. Had to replace all of the injectors and the high pressure fuel pump. The shop I had it done at said this is known issue on these trucks - why isnt something being done?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659939May 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost electrical power before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that during the brief failure, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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