Most common 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems
Share of the 53 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 complaints by model year
Best Silverado 2500 years: 2014, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2022, 2020, 2015, 2025. Compare all years →
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls (5)
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
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.
Fuel system, diesel › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
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.
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…
Engine
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.
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.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021.
What 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners say
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and towing a Coleman 250 TQ toy hauler, the service trailer brake system warning message initially appeared on the instrument panel and then changed to service stabilitrak. An audible warning chime also sounded from the vehicle during the failure. The contact was able to slow down and stop the vehicle despite the failure. The manufacturer was initially notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an attempt to repair the trailer brake system was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer also informed him that the failure may be related to the toy hauler. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer replaced the negative battery cable; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
The contact's son owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and "Service Vehicle" messages was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000. The VIN was not available.
Fuel & propulsion system
While hauling a trailer I received a warning tone and looked down to read the message, "reduced engine power", and the service engine light appeared all at the same time. The engine shutoff at the same time I received the warnings and didn't allow me to safely pull off the road.. I lost power steering, power braking, and controlling the vehicle and trailer while coasting to the sholder was difficult. Fortunately it was early in the morning and I was only traveling 35 mph on a straight road, and no other vehicles were on the road. If I was on an interstate traveling 55+ mph or on a curvy road it would have caused an accident or worse. I was very fortunate. This was the first time I experienced this problem and hadn't received prior warning messages or lights. The truck would not restart and the truck and trailer were towed to the dealership. …
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 a good car?
Based on 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Silverado 2500 rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Silverado 2500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The electrical system — 13 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about integrated trailer brake control. Next are the engine & cooling (13) and fuel & propulsion system (9).
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, the most recent from October 10, 2024 (inflator). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2022, 2020, 2015 and 2025. See the full Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 75% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.