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2018 GMC Sierra 2500

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.
35
Latest May 9, 2026
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.
5
Latest Oct 10, 2024
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,115 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

  • Engine819.5%
  • Electrical717.1%
  • Fuel system614.6%
  • Other / unspecified512.2%
  • Exterior lighting49.8%
  • Tires & wheels37.3%
  • Visibility24.9%
  • Powertrain (other)24.9%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
24V756000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

Oct 10, 2024
2,061 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N242474500View on NHTSA.gov
23V047000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Feb 2, 2023
22,132 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N222368030View on NHTSA.gov
21V496000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Jul 1, 2021
338,020 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
The risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N212329840View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 35
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 9, 2026

GM Duramax L5P diesel engine electrical connector for #4 fuel injector. This failure caused the Diesel exhaust brake, which controls downhill speed, to disengage, extreme shaking of the vehicle, emissions system warning and speed limiting. This occurred while descending a steep grade while towing a 34 feet long, 10,000 pound trailer. This is a known issue with this diesel engine and documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin 23-NA-027. Inspection and repair at a GM dealership confirmed a known issue with the #4 injector pigtail connector caused by improper wire routing and interference wit the Sound Shield and Valve Cover Heat Shield This was a sudden failure of the #4 pigtail connector with no advance warning. In addition to violent shaking of the vehicle, multiple warnings on the DIC indicating that the Diesel Brake was disengaged, the emission system had an issue, and speed would be limited.

NHTSA ID
11736800
Incident
May 2, 2026
Visibility
Filed Mar 10, 2025

The component that failed is the rear glass. Yes, it is available for inspection. The rear glass defogger stopped working and melted the tabs off of the glass and burned the tabs cover. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership and i was advised there is already a recall for this but apparently my vin does not fall under the recall.

NHTSA ID
11647299
Incident
Feb 3, 2025
Electrical
Filed Nov 10, 2024

Service Trailer Brake System Warning From time to time, this warning goes off in the vehicle and when it does, it does it constantly. When the warning is dismissed, it does it again seconds later. If it is not dismissed, it does it again seconds later. It is a persistent three ding double chiming that is not only constant, the vehicle is doing it without a trailer connected to it. The GM dealerships we have been to regarding this issue do not know how to fix it since the warning is as intermittent as it is persistent. Once one of the dealerships was finally able to observe the warning themselves, we were told because it does not cause the check engine light to come on, they are not given a code, therefore, they do not know how to address the issue. The Service Engine Brake System warning is not only a persistent auditory nuisance. The warning chime overrides any other audio capability of the vehicle and it will be the only thing the control panel shows. If the warning is dismissed, it comes right back. This means we cannot hear anything else in the vehicle, such as turn signals, and we cannot see anything else on the control panel, such as speed. We can only surmise this issue is some sort of an electrical system malfunction since we do not have a trailer connected to the vehicle when the Service Trailer Brake System warning is coming on. The vehicle has been presenting this persistent warning since we purchased it from a dealership in August of 2022 and the vehicle continues to present this persistent warning intermittently, which will last days to weeks at a time and is not corrected by the engine being turned off and restarted, no matter if the engine is shut off for minutes or days. How much time passes between the persistent Service Engine Brake System warning events can be less than one day to several months later.

NHTSA ID
11624405
Incident
Aug 31, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Oct 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID
11618888
Incident
Sep 26, 2024
Mileage
48,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2023

Metal in the fuel filter and throughout the fuel system, 38 codes on the computer just in 2 weeks after a full service again at the dealer. All service has been preformed at A GMC Dealer since truck was serviced. 1. P026D - Fuel injection Quantity “A” Higher then expected 2. P06CC - cylinder 8 incorrect 3. P133F - cylinder 8 glow plug offset exceeding learning limits None stop this is happening since [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11553906
Incident
Nov 6, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 2, 2023

Constant issues with glow plug failures, fuel rail failure, fuel pressure failure. Truck has been in the Gmc service regarding these issues constantly for the last year with a total of five repairs and replacement of glow plugs with releaning learning new plugs and now the 6th return to the shop they’re tearing down the fuel system. Malfunction and engine light consistently come on with the same occurring problems generating from the fuel system and glow plugs. Fuel mileage is absolutely terrible and lose of power hazardous to safety!!! Gmc has issued an extended warranty for 15 years and 150,000 miles, but cant and hasn’t found a repair for vehicle and just replaces the glow plugs just so they can fail again and again!!! They need to replace everything that needs to be done and if no fix they need LEMON Law The vehicle. This is ridiculous going back to the shop every two weeks I have my truck in the shop for a month to get it back, to put it back in the shop two weeks later, to have it back in the shop for a month. Since this start 17months ago I’ve only been able to put less then 7000 miles on the vehicle because GMC constantly has the truck! The is ridiculous when you’re paying $800 a month for your payment and insurance on your vehicle that you can’t drive because the manufacturer is constantly having to repair and replace the same thing over and over again

NHTSA ID
11553304
Incident
Aug 1, 2022
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 12, 2023

driving at 70mph, thread from tire blew.. That was in July, I went and purchased another tire from Bob King GMC Wilmington, NC. The first tire that blew was now discontinued so I purchased another Good Year . On Friday I noticed that another tire on my truck had a bubble along the threads again. It was also getting ready to blow like the first tire. I went to the dealer and they told me the tire I purchased (Good Year) was also discontinued... Please look into this matter.. They have faulty tires and this matter could have turned out with a death.. It isn't the dealers fault it is Good Year .... I have also read on line this isn't the first time people are complaining about the threads coming apart....

NHTSA ID
11544060
Incident
Jul 23, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 21, 2023

While braking ( after being on the highway) all dash gauges turn black, radio shuts off, AC shuts off. Service Stabilitrak light comes on when dash flashes back on. While driving AC turns off, Radio turns off same stabilitrak warning flashes, speedometer turns off. Power steer control went out while trying to turn. Truck put itself in 4 wheel drive when I turned on the trailer assist. Parking assist periodically turns itself off.

NHTSA ID
11539836
Incident
Aug 20, 2023

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT5680B

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

PIT5509N

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

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT5544J

This Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power steering gear. This noise is a characteristic of the new Active Hydraulic Assist System RPO NV8 and no repairs should be made.  The noise is most noticeable in the cab at idle, in park, with all accessories turned off.

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 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026910—
2025250044.7
2024983052.8
2023311048.9
2022423056.1
2021516163.7
2020739160.0
2019327060.9
2018Viewing355048.5
2017376053.2
2016595046.7
2015896161.0
2014302150.9
2013463146.7
2012303150.1
2011634151.1
2010105144.9
2009315149.0
2008633358.1
2007833357.3
2006663050.1
20051154050.5
20041434047.4
20031603048.7
20021344359.3
20011345259.5
2000483158.7
1999362050.8
1998153041.2
1997144047.5
1996000—
1995000—
1994100—

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.