2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · NC

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. Vehicle speed dropped to approximately 40 mph, and pressing the accelerator would not provide normal power. This created a safety concern while traveling at highway speed. On September 11, OnStar On-Demand Diagnostics documented ECM code P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1-2 Correlation) and ABS code U0422. The TCM reported no error codes. The check-engine light later turned off, indicating the problem is intermittent. GM Technical Service Bulletin 07-06-04-019F addresses intermittent P2138 with Reduced Engine Power and possible water intrusion/corrosion affecting the accelerator pedal position circuit. After removing the driver’s kick panel, we observed evidence of previous moisture/rust in the area, but the exact cause has not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle is scheduled for diagnosis by a Chevrolet dealer. I am reporting this because the sudden loss of acceleration at highway speed created a safety hazard and to document the incident for potential defect-trend investigation.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Intermittent issues seemingly related to power or ground problems. At idle, battery voltage drops down from 14-15v to <= 12v (as indicated on the voltmeter on the dash) while turning the steering wheel. "Service StabiliTrack" message shows up on the screen, and the steering becomes very difficult. Last night this issue happened and the truck completely lost power including interior lights, headlights, radio, accessory power, and the engine even turned completely off. This happened in the middle of the street as I came to a stop in front of my house and was going to reverse into my driveway. Cycling the key was enough to restart the truck and the power came back on. When this first happened to me almost two years ago, I brought the truck in for transmission concerns (resulting in a transmission replacement) to my local dealer, and I explained what had happened and they could not reproduce the concern and said everything checked out fine. I've had strange electrical problems pop up every now and then including this StabiliTrack warning message and a trailer brake warning when I am not even hauling a trailer, but this is a major safety concern. My wife and daughter were in the truck with me when it happened, and if the power ever shut off like this on the freeway, major road, or even off-roading, it would be disasterous.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 101,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle shuddered and multiple warning lights illuminated, including the check engine, check oil, fasten seatbelt, traction control, and brake warning lights. The vehicle experienced steering overcorrection and lost power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and slowly driven to an independent mechanic shop, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the first and second pistons and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · OK

2018 6.2l engine dropped 3 lifters at just a little over 70k miles. Vehicle is my wife’s and almost caused her and my child to have an accident while traveling on highway at posted speed. Vehicle lost power that resulted from premature engine failure resulting in vehicle losing power to the brakes and steering while in heavy traffic. This directly affected my wife and immediately caused her to have a panic attack. Vehicle has always been maintained to the highest levels. This issue affects a substantial amount of these motors around the same mileage. Very bad and unsafe AFM design that is common among vehicles with this engine. Transmission is also experiencing studdering/vibration issues. Right now we have paid out over 5k for engine repairs. Transmission needs repaired and presents a constant safety risk to our family as well as others. GM needs to stand by their products as we consumers put our trust in these vehicles to be safe and to last more than a few miles. My wife and I both have to work and unfortunately we don’t have the extra funds to purchase another vehicle or to keep shelling money out to fix a basically new vehicle that we have babied. Please help us hold companies accountable for their failure to stand behind their products. Thank you for your time.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

Truck was intermittently losing power steering and shutting off/reseting itself. Was a loss of electrical and was throwing Stabilitrak Service warning. Would not stay on due to truck resetting itself but loss of power happened typically when I was in parking lot or driveway. Could have easily been on the highway which could have been deadly. Dealership found that the battery cables and module were not getting enough power to truck. Replaced these and it seems okay now. Total cost was ~$1200. I see several recalls for battery cable issues but nothing pulling on my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ crew cab.

Filed Jun 21, 2025 · Transmission · IA

The automatic transmission in my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 4.3L V6 has experienced repeated failures and overheating events starting shortly after a scheduled dealer transmission flush at approximately 50,000 miles. Since then, the transmission has slipped under load, failed to shift properly, and routinely overheated—reaching over 270°F—without triggering a dashboard warning or entering limp mode. Multiple dealer visits confirmed internal transmission damage, including discolored fluid, metal shavings, and torque converter clutch failure. The entire transmission and torque converter were replaced under warranty, along with a redesigned bypass valve. Despite these efforts, the transmission failed again, showing further signs of overheating and debris in the fluid. The vehicle has been inspected and serviced multiple times by the dealership (Karl Chevrolet in Iowa) and GM warranty contractors. The issue persists even after complete transmission replacement. This condition poses a safety risk as loss of power and unexpected gear disengagement occurred during normal road use, including highway driving and towing. Transmission temperatures spiking well beyond GM’s Dexron VI fluid thermal limits raise further concerns about systemic cooling design flaws. Warning signs included high transmission fluid temperatures (over 270°F), RPM surging, harsh downshifts, slipping, poor throttle response, and delayed engagement from park to drive. The manufacturer has been notified, and the issue has been documented with the Attorney General of Iowa. A GM case number was also opened, but no permanent fix has been offered.

Filed May 24, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MS

My vehicle has had transmission and engine problems that should not have been an issue until after at least 100,000 miles. At 11,577 miles I reported hard down shifting as well as a hard shift / kick when going from reverse to drive when the transmission would feel like it would slip and then kick when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear on automatic transmission. There were no codes and dealership said they couldn't duplicate problem. At 58517 miles the service 4x4 warning light came on as well as a shifting problem was continuing. A transmission valve body was replaced and a transmission service / fluid replacement was done under warranty or extended warranty. The shifting problem has continued. It has come to my understanding that Chevrolet put out a bulletin about changing the transmission fluid should solve the problem and to tell customers that some hard shift could be normal and not a problem. And I have heard about some class action lawsuits that have been filed. A second and more major issue was the 5.3 liter engine failure that occured at 62,093 miles after having a tapping noise develop and some loss of power. But this issue began earlier at 40,125 miles when I had a fuel injection clean due to it running rough. Extended warranty replaced engine with a used motor and I was still charged $1158.93 for amounts extended warranty didn't cover. My Son's 2015 Silverado 1500 which I owned previously had to have the transmission rebuilt for just under $5,000 just out of extended or manufacturer's warranty. We don't pay $60,000-$70,000 to have engines and transmission fail before 100,000 miles and before the loans on vehicles are paid off. We shouldn't have to be paying a loan on a vehicle we can't even drive because it is in the shop for an extended period of time. At 62,298 miles after getting the truck back from the engine failure, the starter then failed and was replaced under extended warranty with $133.76 cost going to me.

Filed May 22, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

The truck started shuttering one day it was like I was driving on the drunk bumps but I wasn't. Also it will drop gears when it shouldn't and at times it will kinda jump like it's losing power and don't want to go. I have taken it to my step dad who has been a transmission mechanic all his life and he said the transmission needs to be rebuilt but even rebuilding it won't solve the problem because it is a flaw in the way it was made so rebuilding it they use the same parts and everything so it will eventually do the same thing again it's all just a matter of when. He also had me go to another really good transmission guy and he said that we could replace the torch converter but still may need a rebuild l. I don't know if any that has to do with my passenger tire wear or my wheel bearing coming loose while driving only one bolt was holding it on when my husband checked it. The wheel bearing coming loose is pretty big safety problem. As for the transmission my step dad works at a transmission shop and he said they get probably 3 to 5 trucks a week having the same problem mine is having and I know they have been recalls on other trucks that have the same problem as mine just my one wasn't in the batch they recalled .

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Engine · TX

I well maintained my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, and now the motoer is failing, loss of power and just started smoking from exhaust, my mechanic said that the motor is in the process of blowing up. I made every oil change, and maintained the vehicle because I wanted it to last and be the last vehicle I had to purchase. It failing almost caused a bad accident on the interstate, but luckily I was able to avoid an incident and get to safety.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Transmission · KY

6l80 transmission out of no where started kicking in and out of gear while in busy traffic. The motor would rev up and then kick itself back into gear multiple times. This wasn’t stop and go traffic also moments later i was at a light turning left as i did the vehicle start this losing power to the transmission except this time i was in the oncoming traffic’s lane trying to turn. Thankfully the other vehicles stopped although it could have ended much worse.

Filed Feb 10, 2024 · Fuel system · MA

The high pressure fuel pump has failed at only 60,000 miles. My Safety along with the safety of others has been put at risk from major loss of power... not safely stopping the vehicle due to fuel pressure malfunction. Certified Chevy Dealer diagnosed high pressure fuel pump Come to find out from the dealer... a warning sign was the electric start button not working. Engine light did NOT come on till after the truck had major power loss/ misfire/ stall.

Filed Feb 13, 2023 · KY

Trailer Brake System On February 13 2023 the trailer brake system warning notification came on and made my truck appear to shut down at 65 mph. The radio stopped, lights shut off, engine seemed to stall or lost power. It was like the power went out. This seemed to be a safety concern. I will be towing a camper soon. I need my trailer brakes to work. The contact stated that the vehicle has stalled 3 times now.