2018 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 304 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 10 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsMay 21, 2026
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 26V325000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMar 19, 2026
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 26V166000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 26, 2025
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 25V432000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorOct 10, 2024
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 24V756000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumOct 1, 2020
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.
A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V603000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 24, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 6, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2023
The main harness under the truck , front to back . There was a separation from the conduit, wires exposed and were arcing. Truck would not start . I have since had it fixed . I just feel truck is not that old , to soon for a problem like this . And it cost a lot of money.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 29, 2022
I purchased my 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck new in 2018. To date it only has 28K miles on it. I have never used the trailer breaking system that it came equipped with. On 12/24/22 we were traveling to a family function for Christmas. The "service trailer break system" warning message came on and the chime chimed continuously until I got to my destination, about an hour away. This chime was very distracting and there was no way to turn it off. After arriving at my destination I turned the truck off hoping it was just a fluke. When I started the truck back up the "service trailer break system" warning light and chime continued. It continued for an hour on my way home. Again, this was very distracting and I was unable to focus 100% of my attention on the road and my driving. Thank fully I made it home okay. On 12/27/22 I took the truck to my mechanic to have him take a look. He said he has heard of this issue with these pickups. His diagnostic confirmed that the trailer breaking switch (on the dash) was functioning properly but said that the chassis control module was likely the culprit. He replaced the control module and it had to be programed by a factory technician. After this part was replaced the warning light or chime does not come on anymore. I have the defective part for inspection and the bill totaling $1191.86 for the repair upon request.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 14, 2022
While driving 35 miles per hour in the early morning hours I came to a 4-way intersection and applied the brakes slowly. Suddenly, I lost all power in the brakes and the steering wheel locked up. The lights, and stereo remained on, and my dash board display immediately showed a red check engine light. I immediately turn on my hazard lights, turned the ignition key off and tried to restart the truck. There was no clicking sounds. The truck would not start but the lights dimmed and the dash display now showed an intermittent yellow, flickering check engine light. After roughly 30 minutes while waiting for AAA to arrive I tried the ignition key and the truck started up with a red check engine light. Rather than attempting to drive I had AAA tow my vehicle to the Chevrolet dealership where I purchased the truck.
Electrical system, Wheels, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 7, 2022
The light in the dashboard gose dark and it gives me a warning collision alert and the tiers they spin out of control when turning or when I I’m driving I think it’s the tiers they have a lot of tread still…
Electrical system, Equipment, Jun 20, 2022
Informant system and instrument clust/panel starts to change with nothing be clicked. Starts to phantom change everything which is deters from paying attention to actual driving becoming a safety hazard. Dealership has tried to update the software and still does not work.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2022
I was stopped at a fast food drive thru and then I tried to go to the next window and the truck wouldn’t move at all it will just rev so I put it in parked turned off the truck and turn it back on put it on drive and was able to move for like 40 ft then it did it again so I had it towed to my home
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 7, 2022
Trailer brake modulator on 2018 GMC Sierra does not consistently signal trail brakes to work when needed on our 7,500 pound RV trailer. GMC dealer eventually found that the battery cables were undersized as installed with the factory towing package on the 2018 GMC Sierra. The undersized battery cables do not consistently deliver adequate voltage to the trailer brake modulator on the GMC Sierra, so inconsistent electric brake function for our 7,500 pound RV trailer. Dealer had difficulty diagnosing the problem as being the wrong factory-installed battery cables to go with the factory-installed trailer towing package. So it cost us $1,600 to have the GMC dealer correct a problem caused by the GMC factory installing undersized battery cables. Fortunately, this did not result in a collision for us, but it might for someone else. Our 2018 GMC Sierra kept sending vague, randomly timed warnings to the dashboard to "Check Trailer Wiring." Very frightening, dangerous and costly (for us) mistake by GMC. Will the brakes work this time, or fail on the way home? Problem started in 2021 RV season, but took awhile for us to recognize the need to take to the GMC dealer for them to diagnose base cause. Took time for us to experiment changing trailer wiring connector on bumper and trailer brake control on the dash. Work for awhile, then fail. Work for awhile, then fail. Arrrrgh! Ask GMC to put more adequate battery cables on ALL their vehicles, please.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 1, 2022
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM - warning
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 20, 2022
“Service- trailer brake system” light keeps coming on. It is super repetitive. It comes on about every 30 seconds. It’s a loud beep that lasts quite a few seconds. Eventually, the beeping did not stop until the truck was stopped. Truck was just bought yesterday. Happens at any speed, even when stopped.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2022
Im getting a service trailer brake system soon message on dash.
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the trailer wiring harness system warning message was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the wiring harness replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 4, 2022
At 50,000 miles the "service trailer brake system" error message appears constantly due to factory defects and its very common. These trucks should be recalled everyone is in danger on the roads and its a very common problem. I have not taken it to the dealer because i should not have to pay for this very common problem, it should be recalled.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 21, 2021
The truck displayed warning lights for ABS, traction control, trailer brakes, and front park assist. Additionally speed control (cruise) did not function. This presented a safety issue. I took to dealer asap. They repaired by replacing left rear wheel speed sensor. Cost about $216. Appears to work correctly at this time.
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2021
BATTERY DIES AFTER 5DAYS OF NOT BEING DRIVEN. BATTERY CONTINUES TO GO DEAD, DEALER STATES NOTHING IS WRONG. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. STRANDED 5 TIMES WITH A DEAD BATTERY
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 8, 2021
Check engine came on and says manufacture specific issues/codes. Safety restrain system. P10e4
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 28, 2020
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 07/01/2020 AND STILL DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER SHIFTED CORRECTLY. WHEN I ACCELERATE OR WHEN I SLOW DOWN THERE IS A SHUDDER AND A JERKING SOUND. AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE WHEN MY TRUCK IS PUT IN REVERSE IT HESITATES AND THEN SEEMS TO JUMP INTO GEAR.
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2020
MY TRUCK LOCKED ITSELF WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN I WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO HAVE HAD THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ROLL ITSELF DOWN PART WAYS WITHOUT ME INITIATING IT. ANOTHER OCCASION I PUT THE TRUCK IN GEAR TO DRIVE POSITION AND THE BRAKE OR SOMETHING HAD IT LOCKED PREVENTING ME FROM MOVING EITHER DIRECTION IE; DRIVE OR REVERSE. WAS THEN PARKED IN HOME GARAGE AND ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2018
MY VEHICLE IS HACKED ANYTIME I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE I AM NOT IN FULL CONTROL. THE VEHICLE STEERS ITSELF LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES ARE ALWAYS ON WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES BRAKING HARDER BUT ALWAYS ON. THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM HAS MANY GLITCHES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 15 TIMES HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 35 DAYS GM EVEN FLEW A ENGINEER/TECH TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND SAYS THEY COULDNT FIND ANYTHING. THEREFORE THIS VEHICLE IS HACKED THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES AND GLITCHES AND THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK ONLY ACTS LIKE THIS WHEN I AM DRIVING NO ONE ELSE. LIKE IT CAN BE TURNED ON AND OFF INSTANTLY. I HAVE TONS OF VIDEOS PICTURES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS BACKING THIS. I NEED HELP THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO IT THAN I CAN TYPE HERE SOMEONE PLEASE GET AHOLD OF ME TO HELP OR POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THIS VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED TO GM SOON AS THEY ARE DOING A VEHICLE REPLACMENT PER ALL THE ISSUES BUT THIS NEEDS FURTHER ATTENTION BECAUSE IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ME IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE . PLEASE HELP