2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: engine overheating

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

The engine lifters and camshaft started to fail at 114,000 miles. I had to have it repaired at a dealership and it cost over $10,000. I had completed all recommended maintenance prior to the failure. 500 miles after that repair was completed, my transmission overheated and completely left me stranded on the side of the road. I had to have it repaired at a dealership which cost $$8,000

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Electrical · FL

An electrical component related to the vehicle's rear sliding glass window and rear defroster malfunctioned and overheated, causing smoke to fill the cabin of the truck as it was being driven down a busy highway. Immediately following the smoke, the rear window violently shattered due to overheating from the malfunction. This dangerous defect was known to exist in our model and year of truck, as documented in Customer Satisfaction Program N192265660. This bulletin shows that GM knew about this exact issue, yet allowed the vehicle to be sold and driven. This incident was incredibly dangerous and easily could have caused my wife (who was driving) to crash the vehicle due to limited sight and distraction. My wife called me following this incident and was terrified and confused. There were no warnings, signs, or symptoms suggesting an issue with the electrical component until the incident occurred. We immediately contacted GM, who advised we were not permitted to get the vehicle fixed until they completed their inspection; however, it has been nearly a week and no inspection has occurred at this time.

Filed Jan 17, 2026 · VA

The back sliding window on the drivers side exploded, sounded like a shot gun going off , I had started my truck with the key grabbed some thing to take with me pulled out of my driveway and it exploded , call The manufacturer went through a number of calls. They had a dealership do an inspection and Gm said not there issue , just had it replaced and it is immediately showed signs of overheating with discoloration and defroster lines breaking in the glass immediately after the vehicle got repaired. Certainly there is an issue that needed correction but can’t get the correct help.

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 Apr 24, 2025 · Engine · AK

An independent service center confirmed that the water pump failed and fell apart. This water pump is a 4-groove pulley (part number 12685259) specific to my vehicle. Most other Silverados have a 6-groove pulley system. This 4-groove pulley water pump is unavailable from the dealer or any of the part stores, as they are on back order with no resolution or availability date. GM has notified some parts stores that this part has been discontinued and is no longer available. This truck is less than 10 years old. There are no other parts, either aftermarket or otherwise, to replace my water pump. The water pump is a vital engine component needed to prevent significant engine damage, and without it, the truck can not run independently without overheating. It is essentially the heart of the automotive cooling system, because the truck water pump function is to continuously circulate the engine coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator. I have had my truck in an independent service center since January 2025, waiting for this part, which is unavailable. I do have the original part at the shop available for inspection. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure; it just started making a clanking sound, and I immediately took it to a shop, and have been out of a vehicle for 5 months.

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Engine · 119,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed, causing the fan belt to be damaged. The mechanic replaced the fan belt and the water pump; however, the mechanic installed an incorrect water pump on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fan belt and the water pump needed to be replaced; however, the water pump was on a national backorder. The vehicle was not repaired and remained parked at the residence for 3 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was on a national backorder. The manufacturer declined to repurchase the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2024 · Electrical · NY

Rear window defrogger overheated and caused the back electric sliding window to shatter and when door was closed the window blew out!

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX

The component or system that failed or malfunctioned, FUEL PUMP ( METAL FLAKING IN FUEL SYSTEM ) has caused 1 or more CYLINDERS to FAIL. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety as well as the safety of many other motorists was put at high risk due to the fact that I had a 40ft. trailer hitched to the truck at the time the engine power was reduced. thus causing my vehicle to loose power while driving on a major highway. The 2018 Chevy Silverado was diagnosed by the Chevrolet Dealership doing-business-as ASCHENBACH CHEVROLET located at 925 East Main Street, Wytheville, VA 24382. The vehicle has not been inspected by the Manufacturer. When pressing down on the gas pedal, the truck would not accelerate as normal, then a message appeared on the dash-screen ENGINE LOOSING POWER. MAJOR ENGINE FAILURES & REPRODUCED REPAIRS: **JANUARY 2022 ENGINE REBUILT/REPLACED - Seguin Chevy Dealership **APRIL 2022 FAILED KNOX SENSORS - POWER REDUCED - Rush Elgin Chevy **NOVEMBER 2022 ENGINE REPLACEMENT, FAILED FUEL INJECTORS, GLO PLUGS & COOLANT LEAK - Robbins Chevy Dealership ** SEPTEMBER 2023 FAILED FUEL PUMP, FUEL INJECTORS - Aschenbach Chevy

Filed Mar 25, 2022 · Transmission · NV

Transmission shifts out of gear spontaneously while driving and warning light comes on for “transmission hot idle engine” forcing the vehicle to become inoperable unexpectedly without allowing the vehicle to drive forward or reverse to get to a safe location. Transmission temperature gauge rises quickly to 280 degrees in less than an hour of normal driving before overheating. Multiple General Motors dealers and General Motors headquarters have been unable to diagnose the problem and provide a solution despite multiple attempts and several thousand dollars in repairs including a completely new replacement transmission. General Motors first recommended the dealer to hook battery cables up to the transmission which did not fix the problem and in fact caused the vehicle to not start several times. General Motors then recommended the dealer replace the transmission entirely. Despite replacing the transmission, the same problem exists and the vehicle shifts out of gear while driving reporting an overheating transmission. Problem still occurs today 3/25/22 and vehicle becomes inoperable unexpectedly and suddenly while driving due to overheating transmission. General Motors is unable to diagnose the problem or provide a solution.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Transmission · 24,158 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the traction control and the transmission overheating warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for 30 minutes for the transmission to cool down. The contact stated while driving to his residence, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,158.

Filed Jun 21, 2021 · Transmission · VA

Radiator developed a leak as described in General Motor's Service Bulletin PI1513F dated January, 2019. Safety was put at risk due to having a vehicle which could have a sudden radiator failure and permanently damage the vehicle. The Dealership I had my radiator replaced at would not state if they have had this issue occur often. No warning lamps or messages prior to the radiator losing 1.5 gallons of coolant. My first symptom was the engine overheating.

Filed Mar 16, 2021 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, a warning light indicating that the transmission was overheating illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned-off and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The warning light disappeared. The contact took the vehicle to pendarvis chevrolet company, inc. (650 augusta rd, edgefield, sc 29824, (803) 639-8117) who flushed the transmission and removed the thermostat and plugged one line directly to the transmission. The failure recurred and the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer who then repaired the torque converter. The failure recurred whenever the contact would attach a load to the vehicle and the vehicle was returned to the dealer a third time however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.