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: other or unspecified
25 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2026
I’ve owner the vehicle since new. My A/C condenser has failed 3 times, meaning I’m now about to be on my 4th. The welds are weak and it cracks in the same spot 95% of the time. It should last more than a 2 year average.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2026
Premature frame rot
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2025
The truck started to vibrate or shudder . We are having to deal with replacing the transmission on our truck, which has only 45,000 miles on it. We have noticed numerous complaints about transmission problems with this model and the place that is replacing the transmission said they have had 3 customers in the last couple of months with the same issue on the same GMC model. This is a lot for our small town and area. Why hasn't GMC issued recalls ?
Power train, Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 3, 2025, crash
The transmission would purge forward when shifting gears. The shifting was very rough. This vehicle had recently been in accident.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 29, 2025
I have taken it in due to engine mounts 4 different times, transmission replaced and in October 2024 I took it in for issues I was experiencing like I had before my transmission went out. I did not get my truck back until almost Dec 2024 and that was due to there employee backing into the front end of my truck. So after all that my warranty was up Dec 24 2024 and then on April 16th 2025 I was driving my 2018 GMC Sierra 6.2l 1500 Denali 129,600 miles at approx 30 mph it was late so the streets were empty and we started to hear a knocking or what I thought at the time was a very bad exhaust leak. We parked and then we started to try to make it home very slowly which we did and it was not making to much noise. The next day I called GMC and explained they said bring it in. I towed it there to be safe but it did start and still ran at very slow speed. They called me and said that the lift side rockers/ lifters 1 failed and it was stuck due to a misfire and that the engine would need to be rebuilt and sent me over some very vague break down which looked like a lump sum price. I requested and better break down and got a screen shoot and that when he said that’s the best they can do. There were no engine lights on or warnings nothing at all. It also just got serviced at GMC for an oil change on February 27th 2025 along with some air filters. Today is April 29th and still waiting for the service manage to call and see if they can do anything to help out instead of charging full price. I will Attach pictures of the cost break down if possible. Thank you
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2025, fire
On February 10, 2025 the vehicle, a 2018 GMC Sierra, caught on fire while parked in the driveway of my home. The vehicle had last been driven earlier in the day with a return to home at approximately 12:45pm. At approximately 7pm I heard a loud pop outside of my home and saw orange light coming through the front windows. Upon going outside, I found the rear of the vehicle engulfed in flames. The fire was coming out around the remains of the license plate, up and around the rear bumper on the left side, and progressing up the tailgate and window hatch on the bed cap. The fire progressed forward over the next few minutes as the fiberglass cap burned. Eventually the fire penetrated the front window of the cap and rear window of the cab and began burning the interior of the cab. About the time the fire department arrived the fuel tank ruptured and began spilling gasoline onto the ground beneath the vehicle. The fuel tank was approximately 7/8 full. The fire department eventually extinguished the fire, but the vehicle was a total loss. My wife and I had been in close vicinity of the vehicle during the afternoon hours and had noticed nothing unusual. There had been no unusual issues with the vehicle during the prior drive, which had been a 5 minute drive to/from a local home supply store. There was collateral damage to the front of my house as a result of the heat from the fire, as well as damage to the driveway. If the vehicle had been parked in the garage it is resonable to assume that the house would have been destroyed.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 30, 2024
I purchased my Sierra in 2021 and 2 weeks after purchase I got a warning for service stabilitrk and another for trailer brake system. This is very very annoying and also has my abs light on. My next issue is a code u510 for active grille shutter assembly. Please fix these issues as they are very common and unsafe. Not to mention as much ad I paid for this truck.
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2024
Vehicle is shaking at highway speeds
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2024
AC condenser went out on my vehicle with 100,000 miles, lots of reviews online stating this is a known problem but yet there is no recall. Torch Converter going out at 80,000 miles.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2024
Like many of the 2014 and 2015 models, my vehicle has experienced the exact same failure in the radiator due to the thermostat over cycling. There is already a TSB for those models, yet GM changed nothing in the subsequent models and the problem persists.
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2023
I have had my truck in the shop several time for the rear springs they finally replaced the springs and I am having trouble again my warranty is out but I took it to see if gm would take care of the problem but they don’t seem to want to do anything and I no my vehicle is not the only one that has had this issue
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2022
Sunroof shattered while driving on the interstate
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2022
In short, the moonroof of my vehicle spontaneously exploded into a million pieces one morning while driving.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 7, 2022
Received an error on the dash saying "Service Brake Assist". At the same time the brake pedal became very stiff and braking power was decreased significantly. I have received this same message and brake pedal stiffness with reduced braking power three times in the last 4 days.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2022
Air conditioning condenser failed at about 48,000 miles. Seems to be a common problem that is a design defect.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
Constantly getting “service trailer brakes system “
Other or unspecified, May 26, 2022
The radiator developed a leak on the drivers side. This caused a loss in antifreeze.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2022
My rear back heated window on the passenger side popped and shattered the window while I was sitting in the passenger’s seat waiting for my husband. The truck smelled like a sweet wire smell and then I heard a loud pop. I looked back and the back window panel was shattered. I do see that there were recalls on some of these windows.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Dec 25, 2020
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 GUAGE WILL JUMP SLIGHTLY AND IT WILL FEEL LIKE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. ACCELERATION IS VERY WEAK AT TIMES. SOMETIMES ITS OK. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING DONE WITH THESE TORQUE CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS BY GM. UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 40-50K DOLLAR TRUCK!
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2020
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. *TR
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2020
A/C STOPS WORKING 2.) MECHANIC DOES VACUUM TEST AND REPLACES REFRIGERANT ($200) FREON 3.) A/C IS BLOWING HOT AIR AGAIN AFTER 3 DAYS; REFRIGERANT COMPLETELY GONE 4.) MECHANIC RUNS DYE THROUGH LINES TO FIND THE LEAK, REPLACES REFRIGERANT AGAIN AND STATES THE PROBLEM IS COMPRESSOR FAILURE ($200) AGAIN 5.) THE OVERALL FIX WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR ($1,000) BUT THERE ARE NO COMPRESSORS TO BE FOUND, THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER BECAUSE OF THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM." LEFT SIDE OF WHEEL MAKING ALOUD NOISE WHEN BACKUP , IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING RACK TANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT FROM 30-15 MAKE A PUSH EFFECT AND COUCHING NOISE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 23, 2019
BUCKING AND SURGING WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. HARD BANG WHEN TRYING TO SWITCH. SURGED FORWARD AT A COMPLETE STOP.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2019, crash
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 DEFINITION RADIO, BUT NOT ON REGULAR RADIO STATIONS.
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
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2018
THE VEHICLE OPERATES UNPREDICTABLY WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, ANY ONE OF THE FOLLO^WING CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR. 1.) SOMETIMES THE RPM'S DECREASEA. 2. )SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION HUNTS SEVERAL TIMES. 3.) SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE SPEED SURGES. 4.) MANY TIMES THE ENGINE HESITATES FOR A LONG PERIOD BEFORE THE RPM'S INCREASE. THIS UNPREDICTABLE OPERATION IS MORE APPARENT WHEN THE ENGINE IS LOADED LIKE GOING UP HILLS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN HEADING INTO STRONG WINDS. THE UNPREDICTABLE OPERATION IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING ON ICE COVERED ROADS. THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO CONSIDERED AN "OFF-ROAD" SERIES VEHICLE. THIS UNPREDICTABLE OPERATION IS VERY UNSAFE, EVEN DANGEROUS, ON AGGRESSIVE TRAILS. WHEN DRIVING IN STEEP TRAILS, DRIVERS REQUIRE FEEDBACK FROM THEIR VEHICLE ESPECIALLY HOW THE VEHICLE OR ENGINE RESPONDS AS THE GAS PEDAL US DEPRESSED.