2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG
Across its 12 EPA-rated gasoline versions, the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 returns 15–18 mpg city, 19–24 highway and 17–20 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 4.3-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 20 mpg combined. At the other end, the 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive manages 17 mpg combined, 3 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 20 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2017 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular · 447 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 · 448 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 473 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular · 476 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 475 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular · 490 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular · 495 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular · 491 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 · 489 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Premium · 522 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Premium · 524 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 522 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 Cab Chassis 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 Cab Chassis 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 costs about $3,270 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (20 mpg combined), or roughly 22 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (17 mpg combined) comes to about $3,840 a year, $580 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 specs
The EPA lists 4 engine choices for the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500: 5.3 L 8-cyl, 4.3 L 6-cyl, 5.3 L 8-cyl hybrid and 6.2 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd; Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 8 |
| 4.3 L | 6 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 5.3 L hybrid | 8 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.2 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 521 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500.
Power train is the most-reported area (22% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (13%) and engine (13%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 57 complaints a year: fewer than the 2017 (71 a year) and the 2019 (136 a year).
That ranks 11th of 17 Chevy Silverado 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 521, 10 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 9 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 171 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 103 | 13% |
| Engine | 103 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 85 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 58 | 8% |
| Steering | 42 | 5% |
| Suspension | 32 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 17 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 16 | 2% |
| Air bags | 15 | 2% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 2% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 12 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 1% |
| Structure | 11 | 1% |
| Tires | 10 | 1% |
| Wheels | 10 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | <1% |
| Seats | 3 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility | 2 | <1% |
| Buckle chest clip | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The transmission went out before it hit 100k miles. It had to be completely replaced which cost me several thousand dollars.
On September 10, 2026, while traveling approximately 60+ mph in the passing lane, my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 suddenly lost normal acceleration and entered Reduced Engine Power mode. …
I Tried to get a tune up and found out that the Engine need $5000 worth of engine repairs. I have changed the oil and filter every three thousand miles. …
2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 recalls
The 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 has been the subject of 7 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 26V325000 from May 2026, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 4 of the 7 campaigns, more than any other area.
26V325000 · May 21, 2026 · Air bags
Problem: The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge.
26V166000 · March 19, 2026 · Air bags
Problem: The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge.
25V432000 · June 26, 2025 · Air bags
Problem: The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge.
24V756000 · October 10, 2024 · Air bags
Problem: The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge.
20V603000 · October 1, 2020 · Hydraulic service brakes
Problem: The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Silverado 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V761000 | October 24, 2019 | Service brakes, Hydraulic service brakes, Electronic stability control (esc) | 2014–2018 |
| 19V645000 | September 6, 2019 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2014–2018 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 7 versions of the 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/RC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hybrid PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/EC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Silverado 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2018 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2018 Ram 1500 (23 mpg) and 2018 Ford F-150 (25 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 20 | 1,110 | 92 | 11 |
| 2016 | 20 | 797 | 72 | 12 |
| 2017 | 20 | 714 | 71 | 7 |
| 2018 | 20 | 521 | 57 | 7 |
| 2019 | 21 | 1,096 | 136 | 10 |
| 2020 | 27 | 747 | 106 | 12 |
| 2021 | 27 | 848 | 140 | 8 |
Every Chevy Silverado 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2018 models
FAQ
Is the 2018 Silverado 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 57 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (11th most of 17 model years), 7 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 20 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2018 Silverado 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (171), electrical system (103) and engine (103). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2018 Silverado 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Silverado 1500 get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 17–20 mpg combined (15–18 city, 19–24 highway). The hybrid versions reach up to 20 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Silverado 1500 per year?
About $3,270 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $3,840 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).