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: power train
130 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 15, 2019
DOCUMENT ID 4605342 #16-NA-361 : INFORMATION ON TRANSMISSION HARSH 1-2 SHIFT UPON FIRST START UP/SHIFT OF THE DAY UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE THIS GM BULLETIN WAS ISSUED JUL 21, 2017 ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES AND ACCORDING TO THIS BULLETIN THE PROBLEM DOES NOT HAVE A RESOLUTION. THE BULLETIN CLEARLY STATES CHANGING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THIS IS AFFECTING MY GMC WITH THE 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT HAS NONE THE LESS SOLD THE VEHICLES TO CONSUMERS WITHOUT DISCLOSURE. NEITHER GM OR DARREL WALTRIP GMC IN FRANKLIN TN DISCLOSED THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO THE SALE. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALER ADMITTED THE ISSUE CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND TOLD ME GM IS UNWILLING TO DO A TRADE ASSISTANCE OR BUYBACK. GM CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR YET HAS A CLEAR DOCUMENT THAT SAYS OTHERWISE.
Power train, Apr 2, 2019
WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION AND WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 15-20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES "HUNT" FOR A GEAR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO NOT ACCELERATE. THIS RESULTS IN A MILD JERKING OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/SKIPPING. THIS IS MORE APPARENT WHEN GOING UP A GRADE VERSUS ON A FLAT SURFACE. SO I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL WAITING FOR THE TRUCK TO SHIFT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE WHEN NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, AN ACCIDENT IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR. I SEE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN ANOTHER INCIDENT ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK ON 02/2018 AND THE REASON I HAVE WAITED TO REPORT IS DUE TO THE DEALER STATING TO ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO UPDATE/LEARN YOUR DRIVING HABITS. I HAVE 11,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK NOW AND STILL EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE.
Power train, Feb 14, 2019
EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTING ON LOWER GEARS. WHEN SLOWING WHEN IT GOES FROM 2ND TO 1ST IT FEELS LIKE I GOT REAR-ENDED. NOT ALL THE TIME BUT ONCE A DAY AT LEAST. IT ALSO SHUDDERS WHEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES THE RPM GOES WAY HIGH AND IT LURCHES FORWARD WHEN IT UPSHIFTS.
Power train, Jan 8, 2019
BRAND NEW 2018 SIERRA 1500 Z71. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS (6+HRS) THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A "HARD" 1-2 SHIFT. THIS OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, THIS IS THE HARD SHIFT FEELING. OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK LOSES ACCELERATION, CUTS OUT, FEELS LIKE THE TRUCK HAS RAN OUT OF FUEL. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LONG PERIOD. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A RESOLUTION. IVE ATTACHED A SCAN'D COPY OF THE DOCUMENT THEY GAVE ME #16-NA-361.
Power train, Wheels, Nov 6, 2018
SINCE DAY 1 OF PURCHASING NEW,TO CURRENT DATE, THERE IS VIBRATION AT IDLE. THERE IS VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60 MPH PLUS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR TESTING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. GM SAYS IT MEETS THEIR SPECIFICATIONS. THE DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES 3 TIMES, NO LUCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, SAME ISSUE. I AM TOLD THE VIBRATION AT IDLE IS NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM IS DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH GM AND THE DEALER FOR 7 MONTHS WITH NO RESOLVE. HTTPS://WWW.KSHB.COM/NEWS/LOCAL-NEWS/INVESTIGATIONS/GENERAL-MOTORS-CUSTOMERS-FRUSTRATED-OVER-SHAKING-IN-PICKUP-TRUCKS THIS LINK OF A NEWS CLIP SHOWS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY, SO IGNORE THE DATE I ENTERED BELOW. I HAVE VIDEOS BUT THE FILE IS TOO LARGE TO DOWNLOAD. *TR