Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated he replaced the battery and was able to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated he was able to jumpstart and restart the vehicle however, as he was exiting the parking lot and making a right turn, the vehicle inadvertently stalled almost causing him to crash into a wall. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact jumpstarted the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred while driving and he veered to the side of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The radio, the headlights were engaging and disengaging independently. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH and approaching a bend, the vehicle lost motive power and shuddered. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle had previously lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a possible electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 88,799.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the Stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. While making a turn at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact used OnStar to perform a diagnostic test, and the result was a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Chevrolet of West (225 T M W Pkwy, West, TX 76691) where it was diagnosed that the battery fuse box and ground cables needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle shuddered and multiple warning lights illuminated, including the check engine, check oil, fasten seatbelt, traction control, and brake warning lights. The vehicle experienced steering overcorrection and lost power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and slowly driven to an independent mechanic shop, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the first and second pistons and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and was slow to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the exhaust. While driving, the rear end locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle was slipping, and the vehicle shut off while driving. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact replaced the spark plugs, coil pack, and spark plug wires with a misfire in cylinder #6. The contact stated that the fluids were replaced at an unknown local dealer prior to the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds and in also while reversing, the "Trailer brake system Service" and "Stabili-trak Service" messages were displayed. Additionally, the ABS warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle stalled on several occasions; however, on other occasions, the power steering function became inoperable. The vehicle was able to be restarted after each failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH off the highway towards his home, the electronic gauge started fluctuating, indicating a low voltage failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle in the driveway and turned off the vehicle. The contact then attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for service. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,364.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was inadvertently depressed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The messages "Service Stabili-trak" and "Service Trailer Brake" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and errors code: C0131 & C0161 were retrieved. The vehicle was diagnosed at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,741.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who observed damages to the main wiring harness, due to a failure with the over molding protective shell. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds during high weather temperatures, it was discovered that the air conditioning system failed to activate and cool the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the radiator valve was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,540.
Electrical complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 20% of the model year's 521 complaints. The component named most often is integrated trailer brake control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.