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
304 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Aug 28, 2022
The service alert for the trailer brakes keeps going off constantly and continues to go off persistently almost making the vehicle undriveable. I was informed to file a complaint with your company by my local dealership as this is a recurring issue with GMC trucks.
Service brakes, Aug 15, 2022
I am getting a service alert for the Trailer Brake System. It is constant and loud and distracting and a significant safety hazard, not only because of the distraction, but also because it renders trailer brakes completely useless
Service brakes, Aug 15, 2022
*A message and alarm kept going off on our truck "Service Trailer Brake". We are not towing a trailer, nor had we had a trailer hooked to this vehicle since 2019. It began only going off occasionally, but within a few weeks it was going off constantly. It would show repeatedly on the dash and the alarm would sound over and over. Trying to turn off the system was not successful, no matter how many times we hit dismiss. It was totally distracting and worrisome that something was wrong with our braking system in general. *The constant alarm and dash display made driving a very distracted experience. It is so loud that you cannot hear other outside noises. We were also concerned about the safety of our regular braking system. *I called the dealer where our truck is regularly serviced. They immediately said "Is it the Trailer Assist Alarm?," so it was obvious that this is happening to other owners regularly. It took several days to get in for an appointment. The shop mgr helped us to locate and pull the alarm fuse to stop the noise, so we could drive it to the dealership later in the week. The display was still going off when I pulled the truck into the dealership, as it has done all the way there (17miles from my home). *It was inspected by the GM dealership (Schwarz, INC. Honesdale, PA) and the defective switch was replaced at a cost to us of $127.14 on 08/11/2022. *This issue started several months ago (Feb 2022?), but it was a one time thing. So, we thought it was just a fluke. Then, a month or so ago it started again, but was happening only once or twice and would then disappear for days. Then, 2 weeks ago it began to happen continuously.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 3, 2022
THE SPEED OF THE TRUCK WILL NOT INCREASE. THE RPMS GOES REALLY HIGH AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE REAR END OF TRUCK VIBRATES. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FAULTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES COME ON. I DID NOT HAVE THE NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED BECAUSE DEALER SAID IS COST $300 FOR THE FLUID AND $100 FOR THE LABOR AND $168 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. SO I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO TOLD YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE THIS TRANSMISSION FLUID NO WHERE BUT GMC.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
Constantly getting “service trailer brakes system “
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, Jun 15, 2022
Transmission slams into gear in drive and reverse while driving it will slam into gear. And occasionally at speeds under 5 going up a hill it will have no power and struggle. I have 59000 miles on it last year around 53000 miles they did a transmission flush and that fixed it for about 9 months. Just took it back in they reprogrammed the transmission and it no longer slams In drive and reverse but still knocks back-and-forth while driving.
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.
Power train, Jun 4, 2022
I have a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali. I started having problems with the 8-speed transmission at 18,000 miles. The vehicle has been to the dealership for a transmission fluid flush, a transmission relearn, a 5-week valve body replacement, two more trips to the dealership where the truck did not malfunction for them. I have had issues with an air leak on the driver side front door as well. That issue has not been resolved as well. I spent over $60,000 for the truck and have had nothing but problems. I have brought it to General Motors attention and all I would do is get a run around and no results. I was told that there is nothing more that they can do. I am beside myself and just sick as I do not know what to do. I bought a brand new vehicle in order to not have problems compared to a used one.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 1, 2022
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM - warning
Other or unspecified, May 26, 2022
The radiator developed a leak on the drivers side. This caused a loss in antifreeze.
Power train, Engine, May 18, 2022
Leak detected in the engine oil cooling lines, requiring replacement.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2022
I was driving down the highway when my vehicle loss control of operation and check engine light came on. After taking it to the GMC dealership it was determined to be a bad lifter in the motor. The garage had to take the motor completely apart to repair a bent rod and cylinder in the motor. There are numerous reports and a pending class action lawsuit concerning this device in the GMC Sierra trucks and other GMC vehicles. The lifters in the cylinder of this motor are designed to switch the engine from V4 to V6 to save on gasoline. My vehicle has been repaired by the GMC garage but I've seen reports of this problem repeatedly happening in these vehicles and it causes me great concern because if there is a lot of traffic in the area I could get hit or cause an accident by not being able to operate the truck. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others is put at risk because the sudden equipment breakdown could cause an accident. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. No other parties have inspected the vehicle. No warning lamps went off prior to this happening and the vehicle is only a 2018 and only has 36,000 miles on it.
Exterior lighting, May 9, 2022
The left rear tail light assembly is subject to direct wheel spray resulting in premature corrosion and failure of the lightbulb and wiring harness. Failure first occurred Within 18 months of ownership. I cleaned the contacts and packed the connection with dielectric grease. However after three years the bulb connection is now totally corroded and the circuit has failed requiring harness replacement. The problem is so widespread, replacement wiring harnesses for the left rear tail light assembly are out of stock and unavailable from GM parts. I am now using the vehicle without operating right rear turn signals. GM-trucks.com is an owners chat room with many entries about this problem. [XXX], BSME, P.E. SAE INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Apr 7, 2022
On 2/26/22, approximately 24,000 miles on the vehicle, while traveling on the Interstate a warning popped up in the display that the power steering had failed and to operate the vehicle with caution. Immediately I noticed I had no power steering, and the vehicle was extremely hard to steer. I exited the interstate and turned the vehicle off. I conducted a visual inspection; no issues were immediately apparent. After several minutes I started the vehicle, and the power steering began functioning. I conducted an Internet search and learned this is a common issue for GMC trucks, previously resulting in numerous crashes and over one million vehicles being recalled. NHTSA campaign number: 18V586, GM’s number for the recall 18289. 3/1/22, I contacted GM customer care and was advised my vehicle was not part of the recall. I was advised to take the vehicle to a GM service center, at my cost. 3/1/22, I contacted Mossy GMC of Picayune, MS, and spoke with a technician, who advised the issue is usually due to a drop in voltage and advised me to replace the battery. 3/19/22, replaced the battery. 3/30/22, upon startup the power steering again failed. I turned the vehicle on and off several times, and the power steering began functioning. 3/30/22, went to Mossy of Picayune, spoke with a technician, who advised he was quite familiar with the issue, stating this is a common problem with GMC trucks, he advised to replace the battery. Told him I replaced the battery on 3/19/22, he stated I would likely need to have the steering module reprogrammed, at my expense $130.00, or replace the steering assembly, again at my expense $1,500.00. 4/3/22, while turning the power steering failed, and the vehicle was extremely difficult to steer. I turned the vehicle off and waited several minutes. Upon startup the power steering began functioning. The power steering failure is a MAJOR safety hazard and a recall needs to be issued before someone loses their life.
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.
Power train, Feb 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced shifting while shifting into a lower gear, causing the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Power train, Feb 15, 2022
Transmission shrudder with low mileage
Seat belts, Jan 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the seat belt straps for the rear driver’s and passenger’s side seats would no longer retract and were stuck between the seat cushions. The cause of the failure was not determined however, the local dealer informed the contact that the seat belt retractors were likely defective and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 17, 2022
When operating my truck two days ago, I smelled something burning. I then noticed a small plume of white smoke coming from the rear driver's side window area. I then noticed my rear defroster was on, which I shut of right of way. About 30 seconds later, I heard a loud pop and I noticed the rear driver's side portion of the window was shattered. I brought my truck to the dealership and they said they could not figure out what happened. I believe it is tied to a prior recall, but they said my truck was found not to have any issues at that time. I believe there is a direct correlation with the recall issued and what happened a couple of days ago.
Wheels, Jan 13, 2022
Purchased 2018 truck new from dealer on 2/19. Came with 20" rims and the spare tire is on a17"rim. Currently, there is a GM recall # N212346510 and NHTSA campaign #21V985000 for this issue. My truck is not included. Hazard: Based on failure of the anti-lock braking system when operating vehicle with three 20" rims and one 17" spare my vehicle should be include in the recall.