The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2018 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 219 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 37, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 85 YouTube videos about the 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500, 21.9M views. The 2018 is the same truck.
- Heat, A/C & blend door1.9M views
2014-2018 Chevy Silverado A/C Condenser Replacement - Sierra-Tahoe-Yukon-Suburban-EscaladeFalcon's Garage · 504K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
2014 Chevy Silverado electrical issues and Stabilitrack issue FIXED!!!!Tony Lester · 369K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical1.1M views
How To Fix 2014+ Silverado Radio Not Working Problem in 1 MinuteBadAssEngineering · 410K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine1.1M views
Misfire - GM Active Fuel Management Deletes Itself - 2015 SilveradoWatch Wes Work · 923K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter913K views
Stop the shuddering on a 2016 GMC Sierra / Silverado with the 8L90 Transmission.737mechanic · 252K views · 5 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition752K views
2014-2018 Sierra/Silverado Flickering or Shutting Off...Ground Issue SOLVED!Hunter Wilson · 253K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank716K views
Fuel Pump Replacement 2015 Chevy Silverado in 10 MinutesScience by Gabrawy · 315K views · 4 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers563K views
How to remove the lifters on gmc Sierra or Chevy Silverado 2012-2018 DOD|5.3 head removalJM8686 · 359K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
5 Ways to Bulletproof your 2014 - 2018 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra and Make It More ReliableDustin T · 841K views
2014 Silverado AC Problems (How to Fix)Dustin T · 562K views
Common Problems with Chevy Silverado Sierra Trucks (2014)Dustin T · 484K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 593 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 67K miles on the car (229 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 8K–78K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 22K–89K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 10K–90K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2026
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.
- airbags 2026
The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- airbags 2025
The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2024
The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- brakes 2020
The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
- brakes 2019
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.
- brakes 2019
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1733 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Concern of engine noise and/or a misfire
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Reductant heater went out. Known problem with these trucks yet no recall so when you are over there emmisions warranty you're out of luck truck had 60k on it and is going to cost me 1600$ between parts and labor to fix it
2018 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 11397056
More owner reports
Transmission overheats when backing a trailer up a slight hill and will not move untile it cools down.
NHTSA complaint 11372836
When I opened doors the fuel pump turns on, while I'm driving it shifts and runs funny and you hear popping noises. The gauges mess up and radio turns on and off. Like its being hacked.
NHTSA complaint 11327463
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 37; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (24%), engine (18%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,100 and 67,900 miles. The middle report was at 35,000 miles, from 229 complaints.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works