The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor belt and transmission software issues. At $25,900 to $50,401, it’s a good value for a dependable truck with a high towing capacity.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Chevy Silverado 1500 series since it combines a high towing capacity with good reliability. Owner reviews praise the passenger room, smooth suspension, as well as the responsive steering.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are similar to other large trucks, the seats are comfortable on long drives, there are also three bed lengths available.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems on the 2018 Silverado. Avoid models from 2015–2017 which have transmission problems, while 2018–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is okay from the V6 while the larger V8s are powerful, giving it a high towing capacity of up to 12,500 pounds.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2018 Silverado is a safe truck, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard features include a rearview camera as well as Teen Driver controls. Optional upgrades include lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, along with parking sensors.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at 20 MPG, giving 520 miles of range from the 26 gallon tank. Gas costs are $46 cheaper than average, at $253 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series is costly, yet it depreciates slowly, making it a good long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Silverado 1500?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers carlike handling and a quiet cabin with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Silverado at 3.5/5, praising the powerful V8 engine choices, but doesn’t like the rough suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Silverado a 4.4/5, enjoying the towing performance, but owners don’t like the weak brakes.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 series include worn-out serpentine belts, difficulty changing gears, as well as A/C system issues. Overall, these problems are similar to other large trucks, leading to average repair bills as the Silverado ages.
Worn-out serpentine accessory belts are the most widespread complaint from Silverado owners in the first 15,000 miles. The original belts on the truck tend to wear out quicker than many other brands. Replacing the belt costs around $250, while some owners choose to upgrade to a stronger belt which lasts longer for around $350.
Difficulty changing gears is another issue mentioned by Silverado owners at roughly 10,000 miles. There are software updates for the transmission control module which improves its performance. Most dealerships will update the transmission for free, while others may charge around $100.
A/C system issues have also shown up on some Chevy Silverado models at around 70,000 miles. The air conditioner condenser is known to fail, leading to a situation where it doesn’t cool the truck. Replacing the condenser costs around $1,200, depending on local labor rates.
There are 3 recalls on the 2018 Chevy Silverado, which is fewer than many other full size trucks from the same year. The most serious recall covers the vacuum pump, which causes the brake pedal to feel heavier. GM will reprogram the vacuum pump on affected models for free. The other recall covers the electronic brake control module, which Chevy will also reprogram for free.
How Long Will the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 series can last around 250,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Tundra. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other full size trucks according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $598 per year.
As a 2018 Silverado 1500 series reaches 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace the PCV valve for $100, A/C drier assembly costing $600, as well as the stabilizer bar links which cost $200.
It has been very reliable. It did have a recall for the braking system but that was covered under the warranty.
The truck is reliable. Thus far I have not had any issues with it. I think it will be around for many years to come.
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ls is an extremely reliable vehicle. We have had this vehicle for 1 year and we have not had any problems.
Yes it is very reliable. I use it to work everyday. I make sure I am on top of tube oil changes and keeping gas above half.
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lt is very reliable. As of now I have not noticed any problems with the truck, however with the factory rim size I noticed that the car start to veer and lift I believe that the rims are too small for trucks.
I have a 1999 Silverado with two hundred thousand miles on it. A little rusty but it runs great. I hope I have the same luck with this one.
It is very reliable in every way you can imagine. Since the purchase of this vehicle I have not have any issues or problems with this vehicle. It operates smoothly.
A reliable truck in every way. I couldn't have found a better truck for all the things I use my truck for. I love my truck.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 series with a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen as well as a Bose stereo system.
Standard safety technology is good, offering a backup camera and Teen Driver mode, which allows you to set speed limits. Optional upgrades available include front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, low-speed automatic braking, a safety alert driver seat, as well as automatic high-beam headlights.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 series is a good value since they are affordable to own long term. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $25,900 to $50,401, making it more expensive than a Ram 1500 or Nissan Titan. When new, the price range was $28,300 to $55,600. Depreciation is similar to other large trucks, losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Silverado 1500?
There are six main models of the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 series offered, from the base Work Truck to the luxurious High Country. It’s also offered in three cabin configurations, and comes with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Work Truck is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Seating
- Xenon Headlights
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Black Bumpers
- Power Door Locks
- Cruise Control
- Front Bench Seating
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Six-Speaker Audio System
LS is a step up, adding:
- Stainless Steel Wheels
- Chrome Bumpers and Grille
- Power and Heated Mirrors
- Remote Locking & Unlocking
- OnStar
- Power Windows
Custom has more features such as:
- 20-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Front Tow Hooks
- Unique Exterior Trim
LT is next in the lineup with:
- Alloy Wheels
- Body-Colored Door Handles
- Cloth Upholstery
- Carpeting
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- Front Bucket Seats
- Wireless Phone Charging
LTZ adds in:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seats
- Eight-Way Power Driver Seat
- LED Headlights
- Heated Seats
- Locking Rear Differential
- Remote Engine Start
- Puddle Lamps
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirrors
- Power-Sliding Rear Window
High Country is the flagship model which has:
- Unique Grille
- 20-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Chrome Side Steps
- Spray-On Bedliner
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Seven-Speaker Bose Audio System
What Engines Come In the Chevy Silverado 1500?
- The base engine is an average 4.3L V6 which makes 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 20 MPG. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine can tow up to 7,600 pounds.
- A step up is the stronger 5.3L V8, which produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, while getting up to 20 MPG as well. This engine has a standard six-speed automatic transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 11,000 pounds.
- The flagship engine is the powerful 6.2L V8, which generates 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 17 MPG. It is paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance is great, taking 5.9 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH. It can also tow up to 12,500 pounds.
What Colors Does the Chevy Silverado 1500 Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chevy Silverado 1500?
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a very comfortable full size truck offering seating for up to six passengers, depending on the configuration. It’s available in three cab styles including a two-door regular cab, four-door double cab, or larger four-door crew cab body styles. Seating is nice throughout the cabin, with supportive cushions along with durable cloth or leather options.
Passenger room is excellent in the back seats of the crew cab model, with more than enough space for taller adults.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Silverado 1500 Have?
There are three bed options available on the Silverado 1500 series including a 5-foot-8-inch short bed, 6-foot-6-inch standard bed, or a full 8-foot large bed.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Silverado was introduced in 2014, and replaced by the fourth generation in 2019.
2015: New eight-speed automatic transmission with the 6.2L V8 engine.
2016: Minor styling changes, LED lighting added, improved touchscreen stereo system.
2017: New active grille shutters, low-speed automatic emergency braking added.
2018: Standard rearview camera and 7-inch touchscreen on all models.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new styling and engines.
2020: 3.0L turbodiesel engine offered, adaptive cruise control, new camera system.
2021: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new tailgate option, improved trailer towing camera.
How Does the Chevy Silverado 1500 Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 series is a very good full size truck, offering a lot of technology and a nice interior for the money.
The Ford F-150 is another full size truck which costs around $2,000 more. Where the Ford F-150 stands out is with a sportier driving experience, while the Chevy Silverado has a slightly higher towing capacity. We recommend the Ford F-150 since it’s a bit cheaper to own long term, although both are very good trucks.
The Ram 1500 is a competitor, which is available for $2,000 less. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Ram 1500, while the Chevy Silverado offers a better stereo system on the entry-level models. We recommend the Chevy Silverado 1500 series since it’s a bit more reliable, yet both are worth taking a look at.
Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Silverado 1500?
Yes. Nice turn base. Seats have multiple adjustments and the foot pedals adjust as well. Easy to see out of.
Yes. It is spacious, fitting up to six people. It is a smooth ride with plenty of space on the truck bed. My family enjoys going on road trips in the truck.
Yes, the 2018 Chevrolet 1500 ls is a very strong and reliable vehicle. All the features that we need for us.
Yes it's a good vehicle to have. Very spacious, I have two big dogs. There's room for them to lay down. Able to haul stuff around, attach a tow hitch.
Yes it runs well and is good on gas for its size. It is also comfortable and stylish I like the rear view camera and the updated information system installed inside.
Yes I love this truck. Everything is what I wanted. This is the second Silverado that I have owned. Perfect for my family needs.
It is a very reliable truck that I utilize for everything in my daily routine. I use it to shop, fish and every day chorus that needs to be done in the house.
Great vehicle to drive to work and use to carry a variety of items. Would not change the vehicle I drive everyday. Good on gas and performance.