BestCarRank
Chevrolet

2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 34. The most common issue is engine problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet silverado 3500. while driving approximately 75 mph, the message "continue driving to clean exhaust system" appeared. the message went away, but returned approximately 35 minutes later along with 'you are on reduce power mode" as the vehicle decelerated. the foll. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

27

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

7 complaints
26%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE MESSAGE "CONTINUE DRIVING TO CLEAN EXHAUST SYSTEM" APPEARED. THE MESSAGE WENT AWAY, BUT RETURNED APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES LATER ALONG WITH 'YOU ARE ON REDUCE POWER MODE" AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE FOLL
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DE
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARTIN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (420 W SOUTHLINE ST, CLEVELAND, TX 77327, (281) 592-2644) TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID N
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE MESSAGE "CONTINUE DRIVING TO CLEAN EXHAUST SYSTEM" APPEARED. THE MESSAGE WENT AWAY, BUT RETURNED APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES LATER ALONG WITH 'YOU ARE ON REDUCE POWER MODE" AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE FOLL

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (6)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR14/09/2017

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."

Risk: The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
45K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
23K mi
Engine air filter
45K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2018 SILVERADO 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE MESSAGE "CONTINUE DRIVING TO CLEAN EXHAUST SYSTEM" APPEARED. THE MESSAGE WENT AWAY, BUT RETURNED APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES LATER ALONG WITH 'YOU ARE ON REDUCE POWER MODE" AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE FOLL

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: TL- THE MECHANIC CALLED ON BEHAVE OF THE VEHICLE OWNER OF A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V088000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER CHAMPION CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 800 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 786-3111) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: REDUCTANT HEATER WENT OUT. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS YET NO RECALL SO WHEN YOU ARE OVER THERE EMMISIONS WARRANTY YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK TRUCK HAD 60K ON IT AND IS GOING TO COST ME 1600$ BETWEEN PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX IT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: WHEN THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF IT SOMETIMES CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO OVER 1 HOUR TO RESTART. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS AND THE KEY IS TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE ALL YOU WILL HEAR IS A "CLICK" SOUND COMING FROM WHAT I ASSUME IS THE STARTER. WHILE NOT STARTING, EVERYTHING ELSE ELECTRICAL IN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
27
Recalls
6
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
34

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500