VehicleVerdict

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 415 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Sierra 1500 year — the 2018 model ranks #12 of 33 Sierra 1500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 126 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

415

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission12630%
Engine6816%
Electrical System4511%
Brakes4310%
Steering297%
Other256%
Tires & Wheels133%
Fuel System113%
Suspension102%
Airbags82%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Driver Assistance72%
Body & Structure61%
Speed Control61%
Seat Belts41%
Lighting31%
Seats20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V325000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 2,785 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 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.

26V166000AirbagsMarch 19, 2026 · 2,819 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

25V432000AirbagsJune 26, 2025 · 1,658 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

24V756000AirbagsOctober 10, 2024 · 2,061 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

20V603000BrakesOctober 1, 2020 · 14,620 units

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.

Consequence

A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Hard changes with transmission like a car has hit you from behind. It has had a hit in the transmission changing gears since 15,000 miles but it has progressively gotten worse and at 67k it’s enough to knock you to change steering direction.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 11, 2024 · crash

2018 gmc Seirra 1500 8 speed transmission. Making unsafe conditions while driving transmission tends to make hard shifts, jerks, hesitation when moved into gear, gets worse when stopping momentarily at stop lights and then trying to accelerate vehicle will not move. Makes hard shift and jerks then…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 10, 2024

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2025 · fire

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 23, 2019 · crash

I have a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 that I bought new in Oct of 2018 and it now has 15,756 miles on it and was still like new at the time of failure. On May 23rd I was driving the truck when the driver suspension suddenly had an structural failure (mostly the ball joint coming out of the control arm)…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 23, 2024 · crash

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 415 complaints put the 2018 model at #12 of 33 Sierra 1500 years. It is one of the Sierra 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (126 complaints), engine (68 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints).

Does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.