2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 99owner reports
- 52,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Aug 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
99 of the 520 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Silverado 1500.
Narrower sheets: Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails (32 reports)
Tick what matches of 99 reports
Brake wear on other Silverado 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (17 reports), the booster (8 reports) and the caliper (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the brakes cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Silverado 1500
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed apr 8, 2015.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed jan 5, 2011.
Unwanted low-speed abs activation. Closed sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V-379.
Hydraulic pump failres. Closed feb 28, 2005, led to recall 05V-005.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 49 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
5 more on the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Brakes sometimes require more pressure to stop or slow down. Transmission shutters and makes a clunking noise between shifting points. Kind of a sound bad u-joints make. Air Conditioning leaked all freon out in 2024 with 70k miles just 2mos. after service at a GM Dealership. Still not repaired.”
Filed May 28, 2025 · 70,000 miles
“I've been in and out of dealers over the transmission shifting points and hard down shifts when almost stopped. And the a/c condenser has cracked on the side for no known reason at 75k miles except for the fact of bad manufacturing”
Filed May 2, 2024 · 75,000 miles
“While driving on the highway the vehicle began to shake and the stability track light came on. It felt like it affected the transmission. We had to get it towed 30 miles to our home area. Shop Calibrated the brakes and says that took care of it. This vehicle only has 30,000 miles on it.”
Filed May 23, 2023 · 30,000 miles
“A faulty internal computer constantly beeps a warning about "trailer brake system" when there is no trailer attached to the vehicle. The beeping is extremely hyperactive and non stop and distracts you from safe driving and interrupts all other audible functions (such as turn signal blinking & navigation voice commands) to render the vehicle unfit to drive.”
Filed Jun 2, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 99 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 62 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 57 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 42 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 32 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 32 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 25 reports