2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: headlights failing or too dim

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 Dec 1, 2023 · Steering · KY · crash

While driving my truck on [XXX] , steering locks up, unable to turn the steering wheel. Crashes into guard rail going approximately 57mph, thankfully no other vehicle involved in this matter. I was not hurt, and had seatbelt buckled and then noticed damaged on the drivers side of the truck. Which included front bumper, left headlamp assembly, left front fender, left upper control arm, damage to front and rear doors, bedside panel, rear bumper and both wheels, and tires. Gerber Collision body shop in Henderson, Ky wrote the estimate and did the repairs for approximately $16,000.00 in damage and paint. On 10/02/2023 we took this truck to Kenny Kent Chevrolet for power steering intermittently going out, and they replaced the battery, codes for low voltage to power steering module. Tested battery and found to test bad, so they replaced the battery. Checked for codes and none were found after replacement of the battery, appeared to be the point of failure at this time. That repair was $404.96, kind of strange on part availability for a electric power steering is on BACKORDER! and module is not serviced separately, and even NO RECALLS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 28, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · AR

The vehicle has just completely died on me at least twice while driving it, the power steering keeps cutting out, and the headlights will dim significantly upon pressing the brake pedal or using turn signals. This has been going on intermittently for months. Upon an internet search, this does not appear to be an uncommon issue.

Filed Nov 30, 2022 · Electrical · MI

While driving in the daytime voltage at the dash dropped almost 9 volts but when I turn the headlights on, it goes back up to 14 volts I’ve had this problem since I got the truck January 5, 2022

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Lights · 500 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at night, there was an abnormal movement from the passenger side headlight causing a distraction. The contact veered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but the failure was unknown. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who replaced the headlight assembly however the failure persisted. The contact was concerned the failure may cause an accident. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 56,500 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated he replaced the battery and was able to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated he was able to jumpstart and restart the vehicle however, as he was exiting the parking lot and making a right turn, the vehicle inadvertently stalled almost causing him to crash into a wall. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact jumpstarted the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred while driving and he veered to the side of the road. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The radio, the headlights were engaging and disengaging independently. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of repair as the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,500.

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · 47,000 miles · IA

Reduced power steering assist engine stall ipc / radio / HVAC goes blank various dtc. Had my head lights flickering, had stabilitrak errors, power steering errors, and the worst of all, the steering wheel jerking out of my hands. Isnt my video but similar when I was driving about 5mph [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 35,180 miles · NY

While driving at approximately 65 MPH all electronics shut off and turned back on moments later. This includes the gauges, radio and all lights including headlights. I took it to the dealership in which I purchased the truck from. They diagnosed it as a low voltage battery and their solution was to charge the battery and retest the systems. However they could not tell me why it was low. The service manager would not look into further testing to check the issue as they had met all the necessary steps layed out by gm under the bumper to bumper warranty. He had told me that they would be happy to do further testing on why the battery had a low voltage condition if I were to pay out of pocket for the costs even though my truck is still under bumper bumper warrenty. The service manager also blammed the cold weather conditions as it is currently in the low 20's outside. I have issue with this diagnosis due to me driving 60 miles a day for work and another 30 miles to drop it off at the dealership, the battery should have been amply charged in that time for their testing. Also the dealership replaced the battery with a new one 8 months prior when I first purchased the truck. I am concerned for my safety as the headlights turned off without warning due to a low battery and there has been no proper diagnosis of why there is a low battery condition.

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Lights · 50 miles · OK

The headlights on my new silverado bounce / flicker like an old semi truck when going over bumps and imperfections in the road. The dealer said that there is no tsb for fixing this issue from gm so they can't do anything. They did say they were aware of the issue and that they get many complaints about it. They said it is due to the hid bulb gm is using. It is very distracting and dangerous.

Filed Mar 19, 2018 · Lights · 1,600 miles · NM

This new style of headlights do not provide the necessary light required to see if any wildlife along the shoulder of the highway that will enter your driving area while driving at night. Would suggest they replace these headlights with a better quality of lighting at night. Low beam and high beam lights are not bright enough to see well for hazards. This will provide for more accidents on the highways if left the way they are.