RoadVitals

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
52
Latest Jul 11, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Oct 10, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 52 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,341 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1320.3%
  • Electrical1117.2%
  • Powertrain (other)69.4%
  • Airbags69.4%
  • Exterior lighting46.3%
  • Other / unspecified34.7%
  • Brakes34.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

Oct 10, 2024
2,061 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The 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, LLCManufacturer number N242474500View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Feb 2, 2023
22,132 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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, LLCManufacturer number N222368030View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Jul 1, 2021
338,020 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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, LLCManufacturer number N212329840View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2026
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11749702
Incident
Jul 7, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2026

2018 Chevy Silverado 2500Diesel Duramax (63,000 miles & Garage kept) While pulling 37' camper on flat terrain, Push Rod bent and broke in half - violently shaking and missing; Engine was ruined. Engine light did not appear until after it started shaking. Luckily this happened before crossing over steep mountain where we would not have been able to get off road or control vehicle and camper behind us. Truck was towed to Chevy dealership; had to wait until 10 days to learn extent of damage. Repair cost was going to be $26,000 and though our truck's trade in value was $37000 before this event, we were offered just $12000 for trade in. Though we had been led to believe that a Chevy Duramax was highly regarded for durability and longevity, we decided to purchase a RAM Truck. NO MORE CHEVYS for us! Contacted Chevy Customer Assistance but because we traded, they would not offer any financial assistance because we took the dealership's offer and traded the next day. We just couldn't stand a $26000 hit on an 8 year old vehicle and had to absorb that amount with our trade in.

NHTSA ID
11747241
Incident
Jun 14, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2026
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11746441
Incident
Jun 24, 2026
Fuel system
Filed May 28, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11740738
Incident
Jan 14, 2026
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 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.

NHTSA ID
11715028
Incident
Jan 26, 2026
Electrical
Filed Dec 3, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11702712
Incident
Dec 3, 2025
Mileage
215,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 16, 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.

NHTSA ID
11693812
Incident
Jul 1, 2025
Mileage
265,005 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 25, 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

NHTSA ID
11682863
Incident
Aug 23, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT5680B

This PI provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water into the door jam/sill area.

PIT5509N

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT5544J

This Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power steering gear. This noise is a characteristic of the new Active Hydraulic Assist System RPO NV8 and no repairs should be made.  The noise is most noticeable in the cab at idle, in park, with all accessories turned off.

PIT5509M

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026420
2025230040.7
20241393051.4
2023441049.5
2022903055.9
2021846161.8
202010110163.7
2019747061.3
2018Viewing525060.8
2017545053.1
20161225053.0
20151756160.0
2014402153.8
2013513146.7
2012533154.4
20111044151.2
2010215149.8
2009615159.7
20081914360.2
20072043358.6
20061771043.3
20052691043.8
20043682048.9
20034492152.7
20023513460.3
20013001348.9
20001323259.9
1999812046.4
1998732051.7
1997642048.5
1996200
1995300
1994300

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.