2018 Gmc Sierra 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (104) · Service Brakes (33) · Engine (33)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Sierra 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
121 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Air Bags 2026-05-21 · campaign 26V325000 · 4,315 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 2026-03-19 · campaign 26V166000 · 2,819 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 2025-06-26 · campaign 25V432000 · 1,658 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:side/Window:curtain:inflator 2024-10-10 · campaign 24V756000 · 2,061 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2020-10-01 · campaign 20V603000 · 14,620 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes 2019-10-24 · campaign 19V761000 · 652,967 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2019-09-06 · campaign 19V645000 · 3,456,719 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (956)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-21 · PIP5700H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-23 · PIT5680B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water into the door jam/sill area.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5509N · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
Showing the 6 most recent of 956 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-09 · Power Train“my 2018 gmc sierra 1500 experienced significant transmission problems that began as rough, inconsistent shifting, hesitation, and abnormal transmission behavior before eventually progressing to complete transmission failure. these symptoms were present before the transmission's ultimate failure and while the vehicle was still within its warranty p…”
2026-09-21 · Engine“i was backing out of my garage and truck made strange noise and shut off . tried to restart but just made ding and wouldn't turn over . dash lights went blank. had vehicle towed to shop and mechanic stated it was crank and connecting rods after he dropped the oil pan. i ordered new oem engine and waiting on delivery . been 5 weeks now since order…”
2026-09-21 · Engine“customer states: thinks crankshaft pulley is loose due to prior water pump replacement-crackshaft pulley has nothing to do with water pump replacement. before inspecting/starting engine verified oil level-oil level is on full mark. started engine-loud rattling/knocking noise from engine-engine has internal failure-engine replacement is required. al…”
2026-09-17 · Power Train“vehicle purchased certified pre-owned in october of 2021 with roughly 43,000 miles. during the first service (47,598 miles) at a gm dealer i reported very hard shifts, but this issue was ignored during service. at the next servce (54,571 miles) i again reported the hard shifts and "surging" when coming to a stop but the dealer reported they were …”
2026-09-06 · Power Train“i own a 2018 gmc sierra 1500 v8 5.3 liter which is at 46, 433 miles. over the past few weeks i have noticed the transmission having difficulty shifting in first gear and lurching, and making shuddering noises, and as well making a constant ticking noise. after an experienced mechanic had put a diagnostic system onto my truck, his system diagnosed a…”
2026-09-04 · Power Train“within the first 3 years of purchase as a new vehicle, my 2018 gmc sierra denali equipped with the gm 8l90 automatic transmission developed a pronounced judder during light acceleration, resembling driving over rumble strips. the condition was first reported to an authorized gmc dealer on october 23, 2021, at 26,648 miles while the powertrain warra…”
2026-09-01 · Power Train“automatic transmission not shifting properly unable to accelerate bangs gears while shifting noises from the transmission not reported no warning lamps…”
2026-08-26 · Service Brakes“there was a mass recall on 2018 gmc sierras to due to a faulty break pump vaccum. we are experiencing the same problems but for some reason were not included in the recall. we were told to reach out on here as others have to see what can be done as this is a saftety hazard. …”
2026-08-11 · Steering“head gasket failure and overheating. after fixed, power steering has just failed during driving. will have to have it towed to shop…”
2026-08-06 · Seat Belts“the front passenger side seat belt retractor is failing to retract. i had a passenger in the vehicle and as we came to a stop in my driveway to exit the vehicle she unhooked (released) the seatbelt and it will not retract. the seatbelt is now currently extended out and will not retract back into the retractor. i purchased the vehicle today 08-05-20…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.