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: service brakes
44 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Service brakes, Mar 1, 2022
Yesterday afternoon I heard a beeping noise that was persistent and it said trailer brake check the same alert showed up today making it impossible to drive safely with the alert popping up every min
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the assist brake warning light was illuminated and the contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floor to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V603000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
Service brakes, Jan 11, 2022
While driving parking lot speeds, when I pressed the brake pedal, it was very very difficult to push causing me to nearly rear end the car in front of me. This happened intermittently during a short time frame (5 minutes). While standing on the brake pedal hoping to stop in time, the brake pedal shook like the Antilock brakes were activating. This caused it to be even more difficult to stop in time. My vehicle is currently at my local dealership's service shop. When the issue occurred, a message stating "Service Brake Assist" popped up in my display.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2022
Im getting a service trailer brake system soon message on dash.
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.
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.
Service brakes, Aug 15, 2020
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 WAS THE ONLY OPTION.
Service brakes, Jan 29, 2020
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.
Power train, Service brakes, Nov 25, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HANDICAP SIGN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL KAY CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 601 OGDEN AVE, LISLE, IL 60532, (630) 968-2900) TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO HARD SHIFTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A TRANSMISSION RE-LEARN OF THE SOFTWARE WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE HARD SHIFTING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Structure, Service brakes, Jun 29, 2019, crash
MY 2018 GMC SIERRA SLT'S BREAK PEDAL BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PRESS, AND I CAN HEAR SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE AIR COMING FROM THE PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS.THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL AND DAMAGE MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 10,000 MILES.
Service brakes, Feb 28, 2019
DRIVING SLOWLY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND THE TRUCK STARTED MOVING FORWARD. I THOUGHT ENGINE SURGE, BUT IT WAS NOT. I PUMPED BRAKES HARD AND THE TRUCK STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES.
Service brakes, Feb 13, 2019
I WAS IN THE BANK ATM DRIVE THROUGH AND THE GUY AHEAD OF ME STARTED TO GO, I BARELY PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND HE DECIDED TO STOP. I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE TRUCK WAS HARD TO STOP, ALMOST LIKE THE GAS PEDAL RESPONSE WAS STILL IN THE GO MODE BEFORE IT HAD THE CHANCE TO REACT TO MY INPUT OF TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. I CAN DUPLICATE THIS BEHAVIOR ALL THE TIME.
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
Service brakes, Feb 5, 2018
LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE APPEARS TO BE INSTALLED IN HARMS WAY. THAT IS, AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD COULD BE STRUCK WHICH COULD TEAR AWAY THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME TYPE ON THE DEALER'S LOT WERE OBSERVED TO BE OF THE SAME DESIGN. IF THIS BRAKE LINE IS LOST DUE TO ROAD HAZARD, WILL BRAKING POWER BE LOST? PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 25, 2018
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED IT STEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT . NOT A SIMPLE ALIGNMENT PULL OR WANDER I CAN FEEL THE WHEEL AS TO WHICH WAY IT WANTS TO STEER AT RANDOM. IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION OR IF YOU WERE TO LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL GO OFF THE ROAD ABSOLUTLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE I HAVE TO GIVE EXCESSIVE GAS PETAL THROTTLE TO GET UP TO SPEED. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES I HAVE CAME HOME FROM AS SHORT DRIVE AND I CAN SMELL THE BRAKES THEY SMELL BURNT HOT. ONE INSTANCE I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK STRUGGLED TO GET UP TO 60MPH I HAD THE PETAL FLOORED AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO OVER 65MPH THE ENGINE WAS @ 5000RPM MAXED OUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT NOR GO FASTER THAN 65MPH. RANDOMLY TRANSMISSION THUNKS THUD AND SLAMS INTO GEARS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT LOW SPEED BELOW 50. WHILE DRIVING TRUCK FEELS LIKE THE DRIVE TRAN IS BOUND UP LIKE BRAKE IS APPLIED ON INDIVIDUAL WHEEL(S) . I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK VERY WEIRD ISSUES THAT DON'T MAKE MECHANICAL SENSE. ALSO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES AND INFOTAINMENT SCREEN DON'T LIGHT UP JUST BLACK SCREENS AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. HAPPENED 2 TIMES NOW. RADIO WAS OFF WHILE DRIVING THEN CAME ON FULL VOLUME WITHOUT TOUCHING ANYTHING. SERVICE STABILITY /STEERING WARNING CAME ON ONCE.I CAN HEAR FRONT TRANSFER CASE ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE AT LOW SPEEDS RANDOMLY WHEN IN 2WD. RANDOMLY STUCK IN LOW GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE BRAKES MUCH TO STOP YOU BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU LET OFF GAS PETAL THE VEHICLE NEARLY COMES TO A STOP WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. AND IF YOU ARE TURNING IT WILL AT TIMES COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES NOW THEY SAY EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT. THERE IS A MAJOR COMPUTER ISSUE OR IS HACKED PER ALL IVE RESEARCHED.