The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended braking. Additionally, the steering wheel was shaking while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
2018 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems
moderate 55 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 55 brakes complaints filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 55 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Silverados describe a brake system prone to failure across multiple components. The most common issue is loss of power brake assist—the vacuum pump or brake booster fails, the brake pedal becomes rock hard or sinks to the floor, and the truck won't stop without extreme pedal pressure. This happens at low speeds, on hills, and sometimes with less than 100 miles on the odometer. A "Service Brake Assist" warning light typically appears.
ABS failures follow close behind: wheels lock up instead of modulating when braking hard, wheels seize all four corners during towing, and the brake pedal becomes stiff. Caliper detachment is also reported, with smoke coming from wheels and complete loss of stopping ability. Some owners describe repeated brake failures even after the dealer replaces vacuum pumps, boosters, or calipers—pointing to deeper systemic issues.
Trailer brake system warnings are pervasive and often nuisance events: the chime blares relentlessly for hours, covers the speedometer, blocks phone calls and radio, and persists even when no trailer is hooked up. Fuses blow repeatedly. Parking brake shoes fail prematurely, missing large chunks of friction material.
Owners frequently cite that Chevrolet has issued recalls (20V603000, 19V645000, PIT5361B) for these exact symptoms, yet their VINs are excluded despite matching the recall description perfectly. Warranty repairs covered some costs; out-of-warranty repairs ran $500–$800 per part. Multiple owners report that dealer recalibration of the electronic brake control module—instead of part replacement—did not solve the problem.
Same Chevrolet Silverado brakes reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Vacuum Pump/Brake Booster Failure
The mechanical vacuum pump fails or loses output, reducing brake assist and forcing the driver to apply extreme pedal pressure to stop the vehicle. Brake pedal becomes hard and unresponsive. Loss of power brakes occurs, especially on inclines, declines, or at low speeds. Some owners report multiple replacements of the vacuum pump and brake booster.
When: Reported between 12,000 and 161,000 miles. Several complaints under 50,000 miles. One truck failed with less than 100 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes extremely hard or firm and does not depress easily; Loss of braking power requiring extended stopping distance; Brake pedal sinks to floorboard or travels further than normal; Service Brake Assist warning light appears on dashboard; Brakes shake or produce clunking sound; Reduced vacuum/power brake assist at low speeds, on inclines, and in reverse
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist message/warning, C025E (brake vacuum sensor code)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement ($350–$800 range mentioned). Brake booster replacement. Some dealers performed recalibration of Electronic Brake Control Module instead of part replacement, which did not resolve the issue. One owner paid $587.65 for brake pump replacement (Part No. 12696313) on own dime at 25,673 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V603000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued for reprogramming the Electronic Brake Control Module and/or vacuum pump replacement under warranty. However, numerous owners report their VINs are excluded from the recall despite matching the exact failure description. GM Bulletin PIT5361B addresses vacuum pump failures. Technical Service Bulletin referenced for related vacuum pump and system component issues.
Rear and Front Brake Caliper Detachment/Failure
Brake calipers detach from the caliper mounting or fail to function, causing loss of braking ability and smoking brakes. One rear caliper detached at 69,000 miles with smoke coming from all four wheels and inability to stop vehicle. One passenger-side front caliper detached at 67,500 miles.
When: Reported at 67,500 and 69,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from wheels; Inability to stop vehicle; Vehicle fails to accelerate or move forward; Caliper missing or detached from mounting
Repairs/costs cited: Rear and front calipers replaced. One owner's brakes failed multiple times even after caliper replacement; hydraulic control module later diagnosed as the issue.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) Malfunction
ABS fails to engage when hard braking is applied, causing wheels to lock instead of modulating. ABS warning light illuminates or flashes. Brake pedal becomes hard; steering wheel shakes during braking. Some owners report sudden unintended braking or brakes locking up during normal driving.
When: Reported across 12,000–111,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates or flashes on dashboard; Wheels lock during hard braking instead of ABS modulating; Brake pedal becomes firm or hard; Vehicle skids 15–30 feet when braking hard; Steering wheel shakes while driving or braking; Brakes suddenly lock up while driving at various speeds; Long skid distance without ABS activation
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Service Stabilitrak System message
Repairs/costs cited: ABS diagnosed as malfunctioning. One owner's truck had all four wheels locked during towing. No specific repair details provided in most complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: OnStar notifications sent to owners stating ABS issue detected and vehicle should be serviced within 7 days.
Brake Pedal Pulsation and Hard Pedal at Low Speeds
Brake pedal pulsates or pulses as if ABS is constantly engaging. Pedal becomes extremely hard and stiff, especially at low speeds, in parking lots, traffic jams, and when stopped at traffic lights. Pulsation is accompanied by odd audible noise from the pedal.
When: Reported across various mileages and speed conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulsates or vibrates; Brake pedal becomes very hard and difficult to depress; Odd audible pulsating noise from brake pedal; Occurs at low speeds, in parking lots, at stop lights, and in traffic jams; Pedal pushes up and becomes hard; Brakes stop working until vehicle is taken out of drive or pedal is pumped
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning, Service Stabilitrak System message
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs detailed. One owner charged $630 by dealership with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V603000 references this issue; owners report being told their VINs do not qualify despite matching recall description exactly.
Brake Booster Failure (Secondary to Vacuum Pump)
Brake booster fails to hold vacuum or maintain power assist, causing loss of braking function. Multiple owners required booster replacement after initial pump replacement, indicating design or durability issues.
When: Reported at 42,155 miles and beyond. Some failures occur after prior pump replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power brakes; Brake pedal becomes extremely hard; Service Brake Assist warning; Failure to brake properly on inclines and declines
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement under warranty by Chevrolet dealers. One owner required both vacuum pump and booster replacement twice due to recurring loss of power brakes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty repair available at dealership for booster replacement.
Trailer Brake System Failures and Nuisance Warnings
Trailer brake system fails to engage while towing, warning light/message appears, or warning chime persists relentlessly on the dash even when no trailer is hooked up. The persistent warning prevents access to speedometer, blocks voice commands, and disrupts phone calls and radio.
When: Reported at various mileages; trailer brake failures occurred during active towing (4 hours and 65 mph examples cited)
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brakes stop functioning while towing; Service Trailer Brake System warning light and chime appear; Warning message covers speedometer readout; Relentless chiming prevents phone calls, voice commands, and radio; Turn signal chime does not function while service warning is active; Warning persists for hours (4 hours documented); Warning appears at startup with no trailer connected; Warning comes on and off repeatedly for extended periods
Codes mentioned: Service Trailer Brake System warning, Stabilitrak Service message
Repairs/costs cited: Trailer brake control module replacement (approximately 37,878 miles, out of warranty). One owner's dealership informed her the part failure is a common problem. One owner replaced fuses repeatedly with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership suspected the trailer plug itself; no formal manufacturer response documented for most complaints.
Brake Locking and Seizure While Driving
Brakes unexpectedly lock or seize during normal driving at highway speeds or low speeds, causing the vehicle to decelerate suddenly or preventing movement. Brake pedal becomes hard and stiff and does not release.
When: Reported at 12,000 and higher mileages; one incident at 5 mph reverse on boat ramp, another at 60 mph highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock up suddenly without driver input; Brake pedal becomes hard and stiff; Brakes do not disengage for several minutes; Vehicle decelerates suddenly without warning; Occurs at both highway and low speeds; Occurs while towing trailers
Codes mentioned: Service Stabilitrak System message, ABS warning light, Electronic Stability Control warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics found no obvious cause in one case. No successful repairs documented.
Parking Brake Pad/Shoe Failure
Parking brake pads or shoes fail prematurely, with sections of material missing from the shoe substrate. Failure has occurred twice in at least one truck, indicating a systemic design defect.
When: First failure at 18,770 miles; second failure at 31,668 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Left rear parking brake shoe has section missing; Parking brake pedal must be pushed to the floor to engage; Approximately 2 inches of material missing from shoe substrate on second failure
Repairs/costs cited: OEM replacement pads installed both times at approximately $500 per repair. No warranty coverage provided by dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused to consider warranty repair or recall in 2021.
Brake Pedal Air Leak and Hard Pedal
Air leak detected around the brake pedal area when brakes are applied, accompanied by hard pedal feel. Owners report this matches the vacuum pump recall description exactly but are told their VINs are excluded.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal gets hard when brakes applied; Audible air leak from around brake pedal area; Reduced brake assist
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V603000 addresses this; dealership and Chevrolet inform owner VIN not included in recall despite matching recall description.
Brake Noise (Squeaking/Popping)
Intermittent squeaking or popping sound from brake system, typically when the brake pedal is depressed or released at low speeds and stop-and-go driving. Sound is audible to passengers.
When: Reported at 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaky or popping sound when stepping on brake pedal; Sound occurs at complete stops and when pedal is released then pressed again; Constant noise during stop-and-go driving (e.g., drive-through); Audible to passengers in vehicle
Hydraulic Control Module Failure
Hydraulic control module fails, causing brake system malfunction. Owner diagnosed after multiple caliper failures and repairs did not resolve the issue.
When: At approximately 69,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Recurring brake failures despite caliper replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Owner was referred to dealer for hydraulic control module diagnosis and repair; no resolution documented.
Multiple Warning Lights and Electronic System Cascading Failures
Multiple warning lights (ABS, Stabilitrak, Service Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Trailer Brake System) illuminate simultaneously or in rapid succession, indicating systemic electronic control module or sensor failure affecting multiple brake and stability systems.
When: Reported at 12,000–95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light flashes; Stabilitrak warning light illuminates; Service Brake Assist warning appears; Electronic Stability Control warning light illuminates; Multiple warning lights appear together; Traction control warning light flashes intermittently
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist, Service Stabilitrak System, ABS warning, Electronic Stability Control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement attempted in one case; failure recurred. OnStar notifications sent to owners. Codes were cleared and warning lights reappeared immediately in one instance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: OnStar notifications sent advising service within 7 days.
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The brake peddle went solid hard and loss of braking happened while backing a boat trailer down a boat launch ramp. When the brakes failed the dash flashed service brake assist. Loss of power brakes caused the truck to not stop even with pushing down on the peddle as hard as possible. This occurred while coasting in reverse off of the throttle using the brake to slow the vehicle and boat down…
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 55 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 35,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.