Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking and jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. In addition, the contact stated while driving uphill, the failure reoccurred. The contact was almost involved in a crash because the vehicle had failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled backward. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle and the contact was able to get to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine and transmission failure. The contact was informed that the engine and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle felt like the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting abnormally. Additionally, while the vehicle was stopped and idling with the brake pedal depressed, the RPM was fluctuating, and the vehicle was moving unintendedly. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer replaced the serpentine belt however, the failure persisted and became more persistent over time. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who retrieved a DTC code for engine failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced several safety related failures which included unintended acceleration. The contact indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced on multiple occasions due to the failure. The braking system had malfunctioned and caused the brake pedal to become difficult to depress. The brake master cylinder was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The steering rack was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that there was a loud clanking sound underneath the vehicle while driving over a bump in the road. The motor mount was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds for an extended period, the transmission temperature, traction control, and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that when the failure occurred on several occasions, he came to a stop to allow the vehicle to cool off. The contact stated that on other occasions, the vehicle would begin to jerk upon releasing the accelerator pedal quickly. The contact also stated that it was difficult to shift into gear when the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown failure. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
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 at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine and transmission were recently replaced, and the vehicle was released by the dealer and the failure occurred three days later. Additionally, the contact stated that the dealer installed a rebuilt transmission and engine, with a warranty up to 100,000 miles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact stated that the repair was declined coverage under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 64 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the transmission became inoperable. While going up a hill, the vehicle was shifting hard in first and second gear. Upon accelerating, there was an abnormal winding noise detected. The vehicle was shifting roughly. The transmission got up to 160 degrees and continued to shift hard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a transmission replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed him that the vehicle was above the warranty mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission became stuck in second gear. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle for two minutes. The vehicle was then restarted and there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the gear shifter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The Insurance Company had not yet been contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the traction control and the transmission overheating warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for 30 minutes for the transmission to cool down. The contact stated while driving to his residence, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,158.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that no assistance would be provided and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Transmission complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 171 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 33% of the model year's 521 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › cooler/radiator › hoses and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.