Customers often purchase a full-sized truck for a vehicle with the versatility to meet the demands of both work and play. Chevrolet’s 2018 Silverado is one such truck with claims of versatility. You can select three different towing capacities, with 1500, 2500, and 3500 models. Plus, it’s available in two and four-wheel drive and with an extended cab for extra passengers.
Because people use their trucks for work, one of the primary concerns about purchasing any full-size truck is its reliability. When your income depends on a vehicle, reliability is critical.
However, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado problems demonstrate that this vehicle may not live up to its claims as a truck to rely upon for work or travel. Customers have reported many 2018 Silverado problems, from transmission issues to violent shaking with acceleration. These reports about the 2108 Chevy Silverado’s problems create doubt about Chevy’s reliability claims.
2018 Chevy Silverado Transmission Problems
A truck’s transmission typically gets the truck up and moving with the right amount of force and power for your needs. However, one of the most common customer complaints is about the 2018 Silverado transmission problems.
One customer reported to Edmunds: “Vehicle lost all acceleration on highway. Dealer could not find problem. Excessive cooling fan speed twice. Transmission [was] so clunky it was distracting. Got rid of it at 14k miles.”
Another customer reported similar 2018 Chevy Silverado transmission problems to Edmunds: “Well . . . I have owned it about a month [and have] 1600 miles on it . . . Very dissatisfied in the transmission . . . 1st 2nd and 3rd gear is fine . . . rest it jerks in and out . . . truck hesitates horribly . . . jerking like it’s misfiring or it just doesn’t know what gear to go in . . . especially on a country road . . . I’m taking it back . . . I can’t take it.”
Customer complaints about the 2018 Silverado’s transmission are rampant. Customers have reported problems from jerky shifting to complete transmission failures with only a few miles on the vehicle.
Chevrolet is clearly aware of the 2018 Silverado’s transmission issues. It issued Service Bulletins 99-04-20-002L addressing a loud clunking noise in the transmission for both the manual and automatic transmission models.
Plus, it published Service Bulletin # 20-NA-142 addressing the various issues of hard shifting or surging while driving. Chevrolet’s awareness of this issue without dealing with the underlying problems of the transmission and the numerous customer complaints may not be satisfactory to many consumers.
2018 Chevy Silverado Suspension Problems: The “Chevy Shake”
A car’s combination of the powertrain and suspension ensures that passengers have a comfortable ride along the road as the vehicle accelerates and decelerates throughout the journey.
However, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado’s problems extend to the basic comforts of being a passenger in the vehicle. Like other Chevy vehicles, the 2018 Silverado problems include the notorious “Chevy Shake,” which customers describe as a violent shaking when the truck accelerates.
One purchaser reported to Edmunds: “Bought a brand new 2018 Silverado Z71 LT 1500 and drove it off the lot, jumped on the highway and hit 68mph and it wouldn’t stop shaking. Took it in the next day and they did the alignment and said it was so bad it was as if it had been an accident but there was no damage visible. Picked it up and drove it home, same issue. Took it back and they did a road force balance, took it home . . . SAME ISSUE. Brought it back a third time and now they have taken the drive shaft off and shipped it out to check its balance. So basically I have a REALLY expensive lawn ornament sitting on the Chevy lot and a Chevy Trax for a loaner car. They don’t know when I will have the drive shaft back or IF that will solve the issue. So I’m about to make the first payment on a truck I cant drive. Great product.”
Other customers have reiterated to Edmunds about their 2018 Silverados: “Truck shakes over 70 mph (thought they fixed the Chevy shake?),” and “It does the Chevy shake between 64-74 mph.”
With so many customer complaints and even an infamous name for this problem with the powertrain and suspension, Chevrolet is certainly aware of the problem.
Chevrolet has issued Service Bulletin 19-NA-136 to address the shake with the powertrain, Service Bulletin 18-NA-355 to address the shake with the clutch, and Service Bulletin 03-03-10-007K to handle shaking with the tires.
With all of these Service Bulletins about shaking, you’d think the manufacturer would know the cause of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado’s problems. Chevrolet has not yet found a definitive remedy for this problem.
2018 Chevy Silverado Power Steering Problems
Drivers rely on power steering to lessen the amount of effort they need to turn the car. However, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado problems apparently extend to the power steering.
One driver reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): “The power steering will randomly go out when turning at slow speeds, or when parking. The entire truck has lost power steering and then lost all power to the vehicle for a split second then return to normal power.”
Like with other prevalent problems, the manufacturer has issued several service bulletins to address the 2018 Chevy Silverado power steering problems. These include possible leaks with the steering hose (Service Bulletin 20-NA-006) or 2018 Silverado eAssist problems that may affect the power steering (Service Bulletin 17-NA-345).
Customers hope to properly steer a truck when they are on the road or maneuvering into a parking spot. However, the power steering problems with the 2018 Silverado create concerns that this simple act could cause an accident.
What Rights Do I Have if My 2018 Chevy Silverado Has Problems?
California’s Lemon Law protects you if your 2018 Chevy Silverado has significant problems, impacts your vehicle’s safety, or keeps your car in the shop for too long. The Lemon Law protects customers who have problematic vehicles under warranty.
Under the law, manufacturers have to replace or buy back defective cars and pay attorney fees and costs. If you have problems with your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, a California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and file a claim.
Contact the Lemon Law Experts with Your 2018 Chevy Silverado Issues
You don’t need to navigate California’s Lemon Law alone if your 2018 Chevy Silverado problems are significant. At the Lemon Law Experts, we’ve represented numerous clients with serious issues that affect their use of their vehicles. We are fierce negotiators and will fight to ensure that you receive whatever you are entitled to under California’s Lemon Law.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
