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2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the transmission (43% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). It is 12th of 27 Sierra 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Transmission
131 complaints · 43%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I own a GMC sierra which is 14 months old, purchased in dubai uae from alghandi auto. The last service for 40000 kms was done on august 8th, 2019 and no problem was highlighted except the battery that was subsequently changed. On friday early morning (sep 27, 2019), we have escaped a major accident on sheikh zayed…
The contact owns a 2018 GMC sierra ld. The contact stated the vehicle experienced jerking and shaking. The contact also stated when the accelerator pedal was applied, the vehicle made a loud noise and lunged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a transmission flush and…
Engine
72 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Condenser on AC leaking at same location as the 2014-2017 my. Warranty was out due to mileage but truck is only 2 years 3 months old. Blowing warm air when AC was turned on.
I have had my GMC Sierra 1500 for almost 3 years. I have a little under 59,000 miles on the truck. A few thousand miles ago a tech at the gm dealer let me know that they had to add some coolant and it was something I should keep an eye on. I brought the vehicle back to have them look into it. They let me know that the…
Brakes
44 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles.
Dealer completed brake system recall on 10-04-2019 n 192268490, now I read about the recall repair may have not fixed problem, request assurance that problem is fixed.
I received a recall notice for a brake problem on my truck. The recall gave a location to take my truck for service. When I contacted that dealership they said it was a canadian truck and they couldn't perform the recall repair. So I called the gm hot line they said I had to take it to canada for the repair and that…
Electrical
43 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced three times since 2018. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. In addition, the contact…
The first thing that happened was that all of the electrical systems on my truck went out and my truck would not start. It finally started but it would not move finally it would move but very slowly this happened on 11/20/2019 I have documentation through onstar for this incident. My brakes started slipping on…
Steering
30 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles.
I was driving 70 MPH down highway 75 in mckinney tx, when my steering completely locked up. Luckily I managed to get truck stopped and towed back to dealer. This could easily have been a fatality accident.
When in traffic at any speed the steering wheel will actually turn to the left. It takes you buy surprise and it's a strange feeling. I was told by the dealer their is no issues. Very scary! It happens at anytime and without warning.
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles.
The sierra surges from park to reverse and drive. I bumped a vehicle today, and the surge has become an issue this week and there is not even 9,000 miles on the truck. The afm is rough shifting between v8 and v4 mode too. None of this was an issue until recently. My speakers also vibrate like a blown speaker on high…
After cold starts when accelerating the transmission slips from 1st to 2nd and throws your body forward. After that first gear change it doesn't do it again until another cold start. Around 34000 miles I am getting a rumbling vibration through the dash and steering wheel when holding speed between 35-75 MPH. The RPM…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, bead.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with goodyear wrangler sr-a tires, size: 265/60r2. While driving 75 MPH, the contact noticed that all the tires had bubbles. The vehicle was taken to coulter buick GMC tempe (7780 s autoplex loop, tempe, az 85284, ([phone]) for diagnostic testing where it was confirmed…
I own a GMC sierra which is 14 months old, purchased in dubai uae from alghandi auto. The last service for 40000 kms was done on august 8th, 2019 and no problem was highlighted except the battery that was subsequently changed. On friday early morning (sep 27, 2019), we have escaped a major accident on sheikh zayed…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 4%Fuel injection seals #4 o-ring split - leaking fuel - pooling gas on manifold. Took vehicle in for smell of gas, lack of acceleration and poor gas mileage. This is known issue based on the service bulletin 18-na-137 - vehicle has less than 6000 miles
The sierra surges from park to reverse and drive. I bumped a vehicle today, and the surge has become an issue this week and there is not even 9,000 miles on the truck. The afm is rough shifting between v8 and v4 mode too. None of this was an issue until recently. My speakers also vibrate like a blown speaker on high…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
Air bags
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 24, 2026. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n262557310. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on may 21, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26v166.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2018 chevrolet silverado 1500, gmc sierra 1500, 2019 chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, gmc sierra 2500, and sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Air bags
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right-side rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 16, 2026. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n262549710. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on march 19, 2026.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2018 chevrolet silverado 1500, gmc sierra 1500, 2019 chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, gmc sierra 2500, and sierra 3500 crew cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Air bags
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 23, 2025. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n252513060.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain 2018 gmc sierra 1500, 2019 sierra 2500, 3500, chevrolet silverado 3500, and chevrolet silverado 2500 and 2018 chevrolet silverado 1500 crew cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Air bags: inflator
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side rrab modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed november 8, 2024. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and gmc customer service at 888-988-7267. Gm's number for this recall is n242474500.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2018 chevrolet silverado 1500, gmc sierra 1500, 2018-2019 chevrolet silverado 2500, 3500, and gmc sierra 2500, 3500 crew cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (rrab) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Brakes: vacuum
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module, free of charge. The recall began november 11, 2020. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-866-522-9559, cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. Gm's number for this recall is n202300860.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2018 cadillac escalade, chevrolet silverado 1500 and tahoe, gmc sierra 1500 and yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3l or 6.2l v8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Brakes: service brakes
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ebcm, free of charge. The recall began december 11, 2019. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n192261050.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2015-2020 chevrolet suburban, tahoe, and gmc yukon, and 2014-2018 chevrolet silverado 1500 and gmc sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 MPH in four-wheel or automatic mode, the electronic-brake control module (ebcm) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Brakes: vacuum
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module, free of charge. The recall began october 8, 2019. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n192268490.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2015-2017 cadillac escalade, 2014-2018 chevrolet silverado, gmc sierra, 2015-2018 chevrolet suburban, tahoe, gmc yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (131 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); engine (72 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); brakes (44 complaints, typically around 21,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 21, 2026 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the GMC Sierra 1500?
- It is 12th of 27 Sierra 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 305 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.