AutoUtility currently tracks 514 official NHTSA owner defect complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Powertrain & Transmission issues are the most frequently reported category, appearing in 169 complaints (32.9% of submitted records). Among these NHTSA complaint records, 10 filings cite a crash, 4 cite a fire, 9 report one or more injuries, 1 reports one or more fatalities.
Key Problem Findings
- • Total NHTSA Complaints: 514 reports
- • #1 Reported Problem Area: Powertrain & Transmission (169 reports • 32.9% of submitted complaints)
- • Secondary Problem Areas: Brakes & Traction Control (111), Engine & Cooling (103)
- • Crash-Citing Complaints: 10 filings
- • Fire-Citing Complaints: 4 filings
- • Complaints Reporting Injuries / Fatalities: 9 injury filings • 1 fatality filings
Reporting Methodology: Statistics describe unverified consumer submissions voluntarily filed with NHTSA. Complaint volume is not normalized for vehicle sales volume or miles driven. Multiple components can be cited within a single owner complaint submission.
Total Complaints
514
Submitted to NHTSA ODI
Crash-Citing Complaints
10
Filings citing a collision
Fire-Citing Complaints
4
Filings citing smoke or fire
Complaints Reporting Injuries
9
Filings citing one or more injuries
Complaints Reporting Fatalities
1
Consumer filings citing fatalities
Most Reported Problems for 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Top automotive subsystem defect categories ranked by unique owner complaint volume in federal records
#1 Problem Area 32.9% of complaints
Powertrain & Transmission
169 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI
⚠️ 1 crash report
🩹 2 injury report entries
#2 Problem Area 21.6% of complaints
Brakes & Traction Control
111 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI
⚠️ NHTSA Recall Context
NHTSA records list 3 official safety recall campaigns for this model year involving the same broad component area:
- Campaign #19V761000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
- Campaign #19V645000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
- Campaign #20V603000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
⚠️ 3 crash reports
🔥 1 fire report
🩹 1 injury report entry
#3 Problem Area 20% of complaints
Engine & Cooling
103 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI
🔥 2 fire reports
#4 Problem Area 19.5% of complaints
Electrical System
100 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI
⚠️ 1 crash report
🔥 2 fire reports
🩹 1 injury report entry
#5 Problem Area 8% of complaints
Steering System
41 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI
⚠️ NHTSA Recall Context
NHTSA records list 2 official safety recall campaigns for this model year involving the same broad component area:
- Campaign #19V645000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
- Campaign #20V603000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
⚠️ 3 crash reports
Domain Share Note: Share percentage represents the proportion of unique complaint filings referencing each vehicle system. Because single complaints may cite multiple systems (such as engine and electrical simultaneously), domain percentages represent individual category incidence and may sum to over 100%.
Symptoms Mentioned in NHTSA Owner Reports for 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Specific mechanical, electrical, and driver-assist defect symptoms identified via deterministic narrative analysis
AutoUtility uses deterministic phrase matching to identify recurring symptom descriptions within consumer-submitted NHTSA complaint narratives.
Powertrain & Transmission 5.4% of complaints
Loss of Motive Power While Driving
28 complaint narratives describe this symptom
Symptom Identification Method: A complaint may describe more than one symptom, so percentages may sum to more than 100%. Symptom identification reflects text contained in consumer-submitted complaint records and does not establish a confirmed mechanical diagnosis.
Recent NHTSA Owner Reports for 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Representative defect filings submitted by owners to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Powertrain & Transmission
NHTSA ODI ID: #11758850
Filed: 08/23/2026
"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."
Incident Date: 08/08/2026 • Raw NHTSA Component: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Electrical System
NHTSA ODI ID: #11758428
Filed: 08/21/2026
"i was driving down the highway, turned on left signal to make left turn. the truck engine died with no warning, could not steer, almost ran into bank. all the dash lights went black, no power at all. the radio starts playing on occasion without being turned on. the clock loses time when it wants..."
Incident Date: 05/31/2026 • Raw NHTSA Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Air Bags & Restraints
NHTSA ODI ID: #11758245
1 Injury Entry
Filed: 08/20/2026
"My son was driving down the road going 30 and both curtain liner airbags deployed and the left side hit him in the head . GMC is denied my claim twice after careful consideration. That was the explanation and we have an undriveable truck with a truck note . Incident happened may 31 and they denied..."
Incident Date: 05/31/2026 • Raw NHTSA Component: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Brakes & Traction Control
NHTSA ODI ID: #11757010
Filed: 08/14/2026
"The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming up to a stop sign, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The contact stated that the “Service Brake Assist” warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact..."
Incident Date: 08/14/2026 • Raw NHTSA Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Powertrain & Transmission
NHTSA ODI ID: #11754640
Filed: 08/04/2026
"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..."
Incident Date: 07/04/2026 • Raw NHTSA Component: POWER TRAIN
Consumer Narrative Notice: Excerpts are sanitized text descriptions submitted by vehicle owners to the federal ODI database. They reflect the reporting consumer's observations at the time of filing and have not been independently confirmed by vehicle manufacturers or government investigators.
Complaint History for Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Reported defect complaint volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)
| Model Year | NHTSA Complaints | Crash Reports | Safety Recalls | Detailed Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1184 | 61 | 18 | View 2015 Problems → |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 795 | 42 | 13 | View 2016 Problems → |
| 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 836 | 49 | 6 | View 2017 Problems → |
| 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Current Page | 514 | 10 | 7 | Current |
| 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1059 | 27 | 10 | View 2019 Problems → |
| 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 708 | 13 | 12 | View 2020 Problems → |
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 792 | 20 | 8 | View 2021 Problems → |
| 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 604 | 10 | 6 | View 2022 Problems → |
| 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 365 | 7 | 3 | View 2023 Problems → |
| 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 289 | 7 | 2 | View 2024 Problems → |
| 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 90 | 1 | 0 | View 2025 Problems → |
| 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 0 | 0 | 3 | View 2026 Problems → |
Comparative Disclaimer: Complaint totals are unadjusted historical counts and are not normalized for vehicles sold, active fleet size, or total road mileage. Newer model years naturally have had less calendar exposure time to accumulate owner filings.
Detailed NHTSA Component Breakdown for 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Complete distribution of consumer defect reports across all 117 granular NHTSA system and subsystem classifications
| Vehicle Component / System | Total Complaints | Crash Reports | Fire Reports | Reported Injury Entries | Reported Fatality Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain NHTSA category: POWER TRAIN | 104 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine NHTSA category: ENGINE | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES | 39 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other / Uncategorized NHTSA category: UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System NHTSA category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension NHTSA category: SUSPENSION | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering NHTSA category: STEERING | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires NHTSA category: TIRES | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel & Propulsion System NHTSA category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts NHTSA category: SEAT BELTS | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags NHTSA category: AIR BAGS | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine & Cooling NHTSA category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure & Body NHTSA category: STRUCTURE | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Wipers NHTSA category: VISIBILITY/WIPER | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA category: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels & Hubs NHTSA category: WHEELS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System NHTSA category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats & Restraints NHTSA category: SEATS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SUSPENSION | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention / Camera NHTSA category: BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CHEST CLIP, BUCKLE, HARNESS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,WHEELS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility / Glass NHTSA category: VISIBILITY | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Data Attribution & Reporting Methodology: Complaints are unverified voluntary submissions to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Because multiple vehicle components can be cited within a single owner complaint submission, component-level rollups may sum to more than the unique complaint count (514). Injury and fatality entries in the detailed table reflect raw values entered by reporting consumers across individual submissions; they are not deduplicated casualty statistics and may include duplicate or unverified entries. Complaint volume is not normalized for sales volume or vehicle mileage and does not represent an audited component failure rate.
Official US Government Data Provenance
The complaint records on this page are retrieved directly from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) public database.
Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.