FaultScore

FaultScore report

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with NHTSA between 2018 and 2026. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 26 of 28 worst.

B

FaultScore 33/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

27

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

25,700 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

63%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 26 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
63% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2018 compares with every other Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 7 25.9%

Median failure at 23,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 4 14.8%

Median failure at 66,695 miles

Electrical System 3 11.1%

Median failure at 28,400 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 7.4%
Equipment & Accessories 2 7.4%
Body & Structure 2 7.4%

Median failure at 4,500 miles

Steering 2 7.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 2 7.4%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 1 3.7%
Wheels 1 3.7%

Median failure at 21,000 miles

Brakes 1 3.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 12.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 37.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 12.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 37.5%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 PU/EC 4WD
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 PU/EC RWD
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 PU/CC 4WD
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 PU/CC RWD
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 PU/RC RWD
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 PU/RC 4WD

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 2018 peak 3 Apr 2026

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Roundup, MT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recall N192265660 repair failed. Dealer stated that GM refused to participate in the repair. Smoke and smell of burning electrical followed by the rear window exploding. Dealer quoted over $1900 to repair and suggested we go aftermarket and have the repair done elsewhere. Vehicle has approximately 62k miles since last attempt to repair the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11732526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia Station, OH

STEERING

I’ve heard all the horror stories about faulty electrical issues. I’m chasing an issue now on my 2018 with ONLY 87,000 miles after spending a bunch of money on batteries hub assemblies random control modules to try to fix an issue of stabilitrak, traction control, abs, trailer brakes, power steering etc all going off every 3 seconds. Grounds have all been re done to bare metal nothing is fixing the issue. Steering wheel about flew out of my hands going 65mph when the power steering message along with all the others on the dtc while dinging annoying the shit out of me. I’ve bought nothing but gm trucks my whole adult life and I’ll never do it again. Thing is a piece of shit and you all should be doing something to fix it. I’ve seen people have the fix by replacing a tail light bulb speed sensors ecbm abs modules trailer brake modules harnesses the list is endless. Someone is going to die when they crash from some bullshit electrical problem that can’t be chased down because it’s always something different. The money we pay for these trash trucks is insane for the problems like this that you won’t recall. That’s it these trucks suck and I’ll never buy another one. Trash.

NHTSA complaint #11711287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia Station, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I’ve heard all the horror stories about faulty electrical issues. I’m chasing an issue now on my 2018 with ONLY 87,000 miles after spending a bunch of money on batteries hub assemblies random control modules to try to fix an issue of stabilitrak, traction control, abs, trailer brakes, power steering etc all going off every 3 seconds. Grounds have all been re done to bare metal nothing is fixing the issue. Steering wheel about flew out of my hands going 65mph when the power steering message along with all the others on the dtc while dinging annoying the shit out of me. I’ve bought nothing but gm trucks my whole adult life and I’ll never do it again. Thing is a piece of shit and you all should be doing something to fix it. I’ve seen people have the fix by replacing a tail light bulb speed sensors ecbm abs modules trailer brake modules harnesses the list is endless. Someone is going to die when they crash from some bullshit electrical problem that can’t be chased down because it’s always something different. The money we pay for these trash trucks is insane for the problems like this that you won’t recall. That’s it these trucks suck and I’ll never buy another one. Trash.

NHTSA complaint #11711287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia Station, OH

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I’ve heard all the horror stories about faulty electrical issues. I’m chasing an issue now on my 2018 with ONLY 87,000 miles after spending a bunch of money on batteries hub assemblies random control modules to try to fix an issue of stabilitrak, traction control, abs, trailer brakes, power steering etc all going off every 3 seconds. Grounds have all been re done to bare metal nothing is fixing the issue. Steering wheel about flew out of my hands going 65mph when the power steering message along with all the others on the dtc while dinging annoying the shit out of me. I’ve bought nothing but gm trucks my whole adult life and I’ll never do it again. Thing is a piece of shit and you all should be doing something to fix it. I’ve seen people have the fix by replacing a tail light bulb speed sensors ecbm abs modules trailer brake modules harnesses the list is endless. Someone is going to die when they crash from some bullshit electrical problem that can’t be chased down because it’s always something different. The money we pay for these trash trucks is insane for the problems like this that you won’t recall. That’s it these trucks suck and I’ll never buy another one. Trash.

NHTSA complaint #11711287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kennewick, WA

EQUIPMENT

The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Commercial Vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V496000 (Equipment) and 23V047000(Fuel System, Diesel) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11639065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kennewick, WA

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Commercial Vehicle. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V496000 (Equipment) and 23V047000(Fuel System, Diesel) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11639065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Sulphur, LA

ENGINE

The contact owns 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine started misfiring and made an abnormal knocking sound. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner. The contact retrieved diagnostic trouble code indicating an open circuit on the seventh fuel injector. The contact purchased the part from an unknown dealer and replaced the fuel injector connector harness; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact replaced the connector harness of the second and fourth fuel injectors; however, the failure persisted. The contact was in the process of replacing the connector harness of the eighth fuel injector. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11621725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Sulphur, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

The contact owns 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine started misfiring and made an abnormal knocking sound. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner. The contact retrieved diagnostic trouble code indicating an open circuit on the seventh fuel injector. The contact purchased the part from an unknown dealer and replaced the fuel injector connector harness; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact replaced the connector harness of the second and fourth fuel injectors; however, the failure persisted. The contact was in the process of replacing the connector harness of the eighth fuel injector. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11621725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gardner, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

46000 miles and the oil pan rotting from the salt on the roads i have an extended warranty no one wants to cover the warranty it has 100000 power train warranty and no one wants to be responsible for it

NHTSA complaint #11540604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gardner, MA

ENGINE

46000 miles and the oil pan rotting from the salt on the roads i have an extended warranty no one wants to cover the warranty it has 100000 power train warranty and no one wants to be responsible for it

NHTSA complaint #11540604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,390 miles Medical Lake, WA

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that the fuel tank had collapsed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and rear fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V047000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The failure mileage was approximately 68,390. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11525436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salinas, CA

POWER TRAIN

stabilitrak system truck speeds up when braking,and pulls left or right transmission shift hard when warning lights come on intermittently

NHTSA complaint #11452090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salinas, CA

STEERING

stabilitrak system truck speeds up when braking,and pulls left or right transmission shift hard when warning lights come on intermittently

NHTSA complaint #11452090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salinas, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

stabilitrak system truck speeds up when braking,and pulls left or right transmission shift hard when warning lights come on intermittently

NHTSA complaint #11452090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillsboro, OH

EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Jerry Haag Motors (1475 N High St, Hillsboro, OH 45133) and Bush Auto Place (1850 Rombach Ave, Wilmington, OH 45177) had both been notified about the recall; however, both dealers informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11439913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Spokane, WA

WHEELS

WHEEL CRACKED

NHTSA complaint #11407027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colfax, IA

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11397056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colfax, IA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #11397056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colfax, IA

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11397056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grants, NM

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000(ENGINE). AFTER CONTACTING RELIABLE CHEVROLET (9901 COORS BLVD, ALBUQUERQUE, NM) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11289576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Coldspring, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARTIN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (420 W SOUTHLINE ST, CLEVELAND, TX 77327, (281) 592-2644) TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIRS AS DESCRIBED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S REMEDY. DISCONNECTED INSTEAD OF BEING REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CONTINUES TO BE ONGOING MILAGE NOW - 15,000.*BF

NHTSA complaint #11269035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gallup, NM

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11255347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Truckee, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL- THE MECHANIC CALLED ON BEHAVE OF THE VEHICLE OWNER OF A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V088000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER CHAMPION CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 800 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 786-3111) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. DP

NHTSA complaint #11235083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,400 miles Houston, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF IT SOMETIMES CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO OVER 1 HOUR TO RESTART. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS AND THE KEY IS TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE ALL YOU WILL HEAR IS A "CLICK" SOUND COMING FROM WHAT I ASSUME IS THE STARTER. WHILE NOT STARTING, EVERYTHING ELSE ELECTRICAL IN THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE. ALTHOUGH THIS TRUCK WAS DELIVERED NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2017(BUILD DATE OF 8/17), IT WAS NOT PUT ON THE ROAD AND IN SERVICE(BUILT OUT AS A TOW TRUCK) UNTIL MID MAY OF 2018. ALTHOUGH THIS STARTING ISSUE DID NOT BEGIN WITH MY TRUCK UNTIL SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019, WE HAVE ANOTHER TRUCK THAT IS THE EXACT SAME MODEL (BUILD DATE OF 2/18) THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS NOW. THAT SECOND TRUCK WAS FINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A SPECIFIC PROBLEM SO THEY REPLACED THE STARTED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE DRIVER RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY JUST TO TRY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BUT THAT YIELDED NO POSITIVE RESULTS EITHER. WE ARE AT A LOSS AND THIS ISSUE IS LITERALLY COSTING US MONEY!! IN GENERAL, THIS NON-STARTING ISSUE HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #11203138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles Bacliff, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE PULLING A 40' GOOSENECK TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY AT POSTED SPEED THE BALL HITCH ON THE BED OF THE TRUCK CAME DETACHED FROM THE TRUCK. TRAILER NECK SLAMMED INTO THE CENTER OF THE BED. I HAVE AN OEM CROWNLINE AFTERMARKET FLAT BED ON MY TRUCK. ONCE THE TRAILER WAS REMOVED THE BALL HITCH FELL TO THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION FOUND LITTLE TO NO WELD PRESENT.

NHTSA complaint #11161987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.