RoadVitals

2018 GMC Sierra 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
304
+7 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest May 21, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 304 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and electrical categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 952 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V325000

AIR BAGS

May 21, 2026
4,315 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N262557310View on NHTSA.gov
26V166000

AIR BAGS

Mar 19, 2026
2,819 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N262549710View on NHTSA.gov
25V432000

AIR BAGS

Jun 26, 2025
1,658 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N252513060View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 304
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2026

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. ALSO HEARING NOISE IN REAREND-CANNOT TEST DRIVE DUE TO ENGINE CONDITION SEVERAL TSB'S ON ENGINE FAILURES WITH 6.2L ENGINES. GM HAS POSSIBLE RECALLS COMING ON 2019-2024 YR MODELS. NOT SURE IF EARLIER MODELS MAYBE INCLUDED UNDERHOOD INSPECTION 1 7003186 06NS 52.50 52.50 LBR-DISC CUST SAT

NHTSA ID
11765804
Incident
Sep 20, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2026

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 . Vehicle only has 106,000 miles on it and have had it since 20,000 miles and all maintenance has always been done . Engine can be inspected at shop as new engine has not arrived

NHTSA ID
11765772
Incident
Aug 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2026

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 unable to replicate the issue and did not address it. At the next service (61,620 miles) I reported the issues with the transmission once again and this time they performed a transmission fluid flush/replacement, acknowledging the issue and asking me to drive for 200 miles and return if the issue was not fixed. I returned at 62,058 miles as the issue was not resolved and they replaced the torque converter. During my next visit (68,709 miles) I reported the issue was still present but was informed they would not address it as I was now outside of warranty. I reported this to GM but was told to pay for a diagnostic and repair and "hope" that the dealer would elect to cover it.

NHTSA ID
11765024
Incident
Jan 15, 2025
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 16, 2026

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11764851
Incident
Aug 27, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 6, 2026

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 Transmission Lifter Failure, specifically 2 out of the 8 lifters. A few days later (9-04-26) I took my truck to a certified GMC servicing business (Patriot Chevrolet of Hopkinsville KY 270-886-1207) and had a transmission servicing done. I had told the Customer Service representative Amanda Williams about the ticking and that I thought 2 lifters going bad in the transmission were the source of it. 3 hours later the servicing was done which cost $ 474.43. She did not know if the ticking had stopped or not. I started my engine to head home and the ticking was still happening. Nothing had changed. I got home, parked and have not started the engine since to minimize any further damage. I have become aware that this year, make and model has become infamous for the engine/transmission design and parts failure which has been at the center of thousands of class action lawsuits. I have owned this vehicle since inheriting it from my late father for 2 months before he developed dementia and suffered a broken hip. I have religiously had the oil changed every three months regardless of the mileage, and this is a sealed transmission which cannot be worked on by someone but a certified GMC mechanic, which wasn't a worry because the truck's manual says doesn't need to be worked on unless there seem to be problems. Which is what I did on 9-4-26, hoping that a servicing would fix the issue. During the 5 years that I have owned this truck, I never received ANY sort of notice from GMC that might've hinted at possible Transmission Failures, though GMC has been totally aware of. Sudden power loss dangerous and unfairly expensive to drivers.

NHTSA ID
11762401
Incident
Aug 14, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2026

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 warranty was in effect. GM authorized a transmission-fluid exchange from the technical service bulletin (TSB) 18-NA-355, dated April 2020, but that repair did not provide a lasting correction. The condition continued, and in 2026 the authorized dealer diagnosed an “internal stator issue causing judder on light acceleration” and recommended replacement of the torque converter. We completed the repair and retained the removed converter. The defect affected the vehicle while accelerating and created concern about predictable power delivery when merging, entering traffic or crossing an intersection. Continued torque-converter malfunction can generate heat and debris, damage the transmission and potentially impair acceleration or power transfer. GM had issued technical bulletins addressing torque-converter shudder in 2018 Sierra vehicles before this truck was purchased, but there has been no recall. I request that NHTSA evaluate whether this recurring defect presents an unreasonable safety risk in GM vehicles equipped with the 8L90 transmission.

NHTSA ID
11762122
Incident
Oct 23, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 1, 2026

Automatic Transmission not shifting properly unable to accelerate bangs gears while shifting noises from the transmission not reported no warning lamps

NHTSA ID
11761343
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 26, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11759679
Incident
Aug 24, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5680B

This PI provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water into the door jam/sill area.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT5509N

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT5509M

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Sierra 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20261212156.5
20251161151.8
20243601456.9
20234793463.7
20225856466.4
20215707569.0
202046612369.7
201964510268.8
2018Viewing3047056.0
20173546056.2
20163418159.2
20157189259.9
20147399257.4
20131153253.4
20121073254.7
20112845255.2
20101684256.3
20092344255.4
20083812357.5
20072623357.2
20061452048.5
20051773048.2
20042125047.9
20031804052.3
20021664261.9
20011405259.5
20001813256.5
19991584257.2
1998594053.3
1997835043.4
1996500—
1995300—
1994130029.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.