2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 52 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle displays airbag deployment codes, airbag sound was heard, airbag agent smell is present yet no airbags were deployed in the vehicle. Yes it is available for inspection on request, it will be inspected by insurance adjusters in the next week.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2026
“Frontal driver airbag deployed spontaneously while vehicle was stopped at a stop sign. No collision or impact occurred. Deployment produced excessive smoke and heat. Minor burn to hand resulted from deployment.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2026
“Rear defroster seemed to short circuit and over heated causing my back window to break. There was no warning, no light that alerted me to this going on. I had it inspected by a local Chevy dealership and they have indeed confirmed that it short circuited and caused the damage to my rear window. They also removed the fuse to prevent anything further from happening and told me it could have completely caught on fire.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“The truck kept going into limp mode and when taken to the dealership it was found to have metal in the fuel. According to the report from the dealership they stated that this indicated the injection pump had come apart internally and sent metal throughout the system. It has since been repaired at a high cost to myself. The generation of truck made before mine had a recall for the same thing and I feel that they have not fixed the problem or it wouldn't have happened to my truck. Seems like a manufacturing defect. When in limp mode the truck does not operate at the speed limit required for highway driving. There was no indication prior to the failure.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2026
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,985. While attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that the title mileage was approximately 215,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2025
“tail light assembly falls out of the truck body due to faulty bolt connections that fail ( crumble and break off) due to heat from parking in the sun”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while having a State Emissions Test performed on the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 75,200; however, it was discovered that on January 17,2024, the mileage was 265,005.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2025
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2025
“I'm have 1-2" dead space in steering. It is hard to stay in lane on highway as when a road dip takes extra movement keep straight. I was told this is normal but had dealer change steering box. Replacement helped a lot but truck is starting to get the 1-2" of play once again. Seems like similar issue to 2016 model year.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2025
“Dash Warning: Check Engine Light, "Engine Power is Reduced!" and Traction Control. Code Reader Results: P2138 (APP) Accelerator Pedal Position Sensors - Not Plausible. Replaced with NEW OEM Part(s) - APP, Electrical Throttle Body and M15 Fuse - which did NOT fix issues and now due to safety concerns (further damage to vehicle and personal preservation) will be towing to dealership for diagnosis. Believe to be a known WIRING issues most likely due to WATER exposure/ SHORT in Connectors. - See IP, ECM/PCM and possible false activation to the APP circuit. This should be a RECALL due to the severity of mechanical issues of the malfunctioning system.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. The front seat belt retractor assemblies were built with the incorrect torsion bar. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's numbers for this recall are 17368, 17375, and 17376.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC Customer Service at 888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N242474500.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
Remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.
Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 2500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 26,300 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:retractor. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.