2018 Chevrolet Silverado Suspension Problems

The frame of my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has rusted through to the point of failing Maine state safety inspection at only 41,000 miles. A licensed Maine inspection station identified structural frame corrosion and determined the vehicle is unsafe to operate. A Chevrolet dealer confirmed the frame rust and stated the truck must have rusted sections cut out and welded to be made roadworthy. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: A rusted-through frame on a pickup truck is a serious structural defect. Frame failure while driving could cause loss of vehicle control, separation of suspension or drivetrain components, or catastrophic structural collapse, particularly at highway speeds or under load. The vehicle is currently unregisterable in Maine due to this safety failure. The failure has been confirmed by both an independent licensed inspection station and by a Chevrolet dealership service department. This failure is consistent with a known manufacturing defect documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-255, which acknowledges that the wax coating applied to the frames of 2011–2024 Silverado and Sierra trucks was improperly applied by a third-party frame supplier, causing the coating to peel and exposing bare steel to premature corrosion. GM has issued this TSB but has not issued a recall, and Chevrolet dealers are not consistently performing the repair. I contacted GM Customer Assistance to request goodwill repair and was refused; the representative also declined to open a case. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages prior to discovery, as frame corrosion is not monitored by vehicle systems. The defect was identified visually during state safety inspection. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect pattern and consider a recall, as was ultimately ordered for the similar frame corrosion defect on Toyota Tacoma trucks.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Passenger side Upper control arm broke in two about to re-enter I75. Had been on I 75 and was going back on it when handling went wonky on Service road. You can see from the rust in the break this stamped part was cracked a while. Vehicle has not hit or run over anything since I have owned it. Had I been on I75 at highway speed it would have been deadly.

I purchased a used 2018 Chevrolet Silverado High Country (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX], with 24,375 miles. On the day of pickup, the truck felt like it was driving over rumble strips. Dimmitt Chevrolet flushed the transmission and used the updated Mobil 1 HP LV fluid. This worked temporarily, but the shudder returned. CarMax then sent the truck to Burke’s Transmission in Sarasota, where they replaced the torque converter. However, the shop declined to rebuild the transmission, citing its complexity. I later brought the truck to Cox Chevrolet in Bradenton. Despite clearly describing the shudder, harsh shifting, and driveline clunk, they told me the behavior was “normal” and refused to investigate further, stating, “We’ll look into it once the unit fails completely.” The symptoms have worsened. Harsh 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4 shifts are back. Shifting into Drive causes a loud clunk and forward lurch. Cold starts cause bucking and sudden stopping. I’ve replaced the tires, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks, and front suspension parts, but the problem persists. I signed on to a class action lawsuit against GM over the 8L90 transmission, but my claim was denied. This issue is well-documented and matches reports from many other owners. It affects drivability, safety, and long-term reliability. GM and its dealers have failed to properly address this known transmission defect. I urge NHTSA to investigate further. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Upper control arm weld broke around the top of the ball joint, a couple of months later other passenger side did the Exact same thing.

Control Arm failure with tire separation from vehicle

I have an odd bounce/vibration front suspension both tires intermitting bounce on flat roads. It feels similar to drive on washboards raises on the highway. Suspension bouncing extremely fast. Transmission issues: Some owners have experienced jerky shifts, delayed gear engagement. On and Off Noise Click In dashboard.

Back in December of 2018 when I got my truck it only had a1000 miles on it and it has been down shifting hard it jerks hard I have reported it to the mechanic at the dealership at Mitch smith in Cullman Alabama and that said oh it’s supposed to do that well now it’s out of warranty and they said it needs this that and the other

leaf springs malfunctioned & yes its available for inspection. safety issues of cracking noise sounds like cracking in the suspension or axle. on 7/7/22 Lorenzo at Richland Chevrolet in Shafter, California confirmed & had it all day for inspection. no warning lamps or messages were provided. First appeared on 6/30/22. continental crosscontact LX20 P275/55 R20 111 t eco plus+ Tires are chopping & shredding safety & hazard issues are the tires can shred apart & cause an accident or death. on 7/7/22 Lorenzo at Richland Chevrolet in Shafter, California confirmed tires were having that problem & if there was a recall on them then General Motors would reach out to us. Then prior, on 4/28/22 during oil change & tire rotation service Lorenzo confirmed tires were chopping also. no warning lamps or messages.

A loud thumping noise comes from the rear axle area. The Chevy dealer claimed that the u-bolts that hold the axle to the leaf spring becomes loose and need retightening. I had the dealer re-torque the u-bolts but the noise still is there. The dealer claimed it was “normal” and offered no solution other than claiming a Tech Bulletin was issued instructing dealers to check u-bolts at service appointments. I brought my truck to a private repair shop and the mechanic noted that both rear leaf springs moved under the ubolts When the truck was rocked side to side. This is not safe as the axle can become out of alignment causing steering issues and excessive tire wear. The private shop quoted $1,100(est) to replace both leaf springs with aftermarket springs and u-bolts. The mechanic claimed that they have seen many Chevy pickups with this issue. I am asking you to please investigate this issue and instruct GM to repair this manufacturer defect.

Both upper control arms have broken off at the ball joints. Also the cam and Lifters are failing and this vehicle has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines.

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED. IT IS A PRESSED FITTING AND IT CAME APART. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT. NOTED A CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END, MOST NOTABLE WHILE BACKING .

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND/SECOND BACK TO FIRST. I NOTICED THIS ABOUT A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING TRUCK. SHIFTS HARD MOSTLY IN 2WD, NOT SO MUCH IN 4WD OR HAULING/TOWING. LEAF SPRINGS AND SHACKLES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE DAY ONE OF PURCHASE. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE IS AT 12-15PSI AT IDLE AND WILL NOT EXCEED 32-35 PSI UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WITH OR WITHOUT A LOAD. I'VE CHANGED THE OIL FILTER AND OIL PRESSURE SENSOR MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A CHIRP/TICK COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO NARROW IT DOWN FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS. SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING GOING ON IN THE ENGINE ITSELF OR POSSIBLE THE AC COMPRESSOR. TRUCK HAS 42,450 MILES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAULING A TRAILER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE HAULING A TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE OR THE CAUSE FOR THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,300.

SQUEAKING NOISE UNDER BOX. DEALER TOOK 2 MONTHS TO GET A REPLACEMENT LEAF SHACKLE FOR LEFT SIDE. IT DID STOP THE NOISE. MY TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD SHIFT IN GEARS WHEN TAKING OFF AND COMING TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HANG UP SHIFTING FROM LOW GEAR T A HIGHER GEAR AND DOES THE SAME WHEN COMING TO A STOP. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. NEW TRUCK, NOW HAS 21,000 MILES BUT WORST INVESTMENT I HAVE MADE SWITCHING FROM A FOREIGN TRUCK BACK TO MADE IN AMERICA. THIS HARD SHIFTING TAKES PLACE WHEN STARTING OFF OR COMING TO A STOP ON ANY HIGHWAY OR STREET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH, THE LOWER SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONSTANTLY SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH CHARLOTTE CHEVROLET (9325 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC) WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND BALANCED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BURNS CHEVROLET (2515 CHERRY RD, ROCK HILL, SC) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.

A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN BACKING AND TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOOD AUTOMOTIVE AMITE CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 11239 LA-16, AMITE CITY, LA 70422, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND TORQUED TO SPECS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,010.

MY TRUCK BARELY HAS 17K MILES AND I NOTICED EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP I SOUNDS LIKE MY SUSPENSION IS ALL [XXX] UP BOTH FRONT AND BACK I HONESTLY CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN SOUND LIKE IF THEY WERE 150K WORNED OUT SHOCKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

STARTED TO HEAR CLUNKING NOISE AROUND 15,000 MILES. THE NOISE STARTED TO GET WORSE AS TIME WENT BY. FIRST IT WAS JUST WHEN DRIVING UP MY DRIVEWAY THEN IT WAS WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN STATIONARY PUSHING DOWN ON THE REAR BUMPER. FOUND THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE CRACKED BUT IT WASN'T VISIBLE WHILE THEY WERE ON THE VEHICLE.