RoadVitals

2018 GMC Sierra Denali

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.
17
Latest Apr 2, 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.
0
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra Denali, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and body & structure categories. 945 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

  • Engine520.0%
  • Brakes416.0%
  • Body & structure416.0%
  • Exterior lighting312.0%
  • Steering312.0%
  • Powertrain (other)28.0%
  • Driver assistance28.0%
  • Other / unspecified14.0%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds over 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on three separate occasions and stalled twice while slowing down. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart each time, but on one occasion, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission, torque converter, exhaust gaskets, filter, and 8D fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ID
11728807
Incident
Jan 24, 2026
Mileage
87,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Mar 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while the vehicle was parked, the running boards unexpectedly lowered. Additionally, there was oil leaking from the vehicle, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The contact was informed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ID
11723657
Incident
Mar 11, 2026
Mileage
107,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the passenger’s side running board detached from the vehicle causing minor damages to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but provided no assistance and advised the contact that the running board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ID
11529615
Incident
Dec 8, 2022
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 2021

CERTAIN 2018 GMC SIERRA 1500 DENALIS WERE ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE "ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE". FOR MY VIN, IT DOESN'T SHOW THAT THAT ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIXED (I JUST PURCHASED THIS TRUCK LAST WEEK), BUT IT INDEED DOES. WHEN COASTING AT A LOW SPEED ON A SMALL HILL, BRAKES ALMOST FEEL NON EXISTENT. GMC RECALLED MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES TO GET THIS ISSUE SORTED OUT WITH A SIMPLE, "SOFTWARE UPDATE". FOR SOME ODD REASON MY GMC'S VIN WASN'T UP FOR A RECALL WHEN IT CLEARLY NEEDS ONE, IM PLEADING FOR SOME HELP; I'M WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY BECAUSE OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED, THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11408155
Incident
Apr 14, 2007
Mileage
73,890 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 5, 2021

HOOD VENT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I FEEL THAT THE CHEAP PLASTIC IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH THE PART GOING AIRBORNE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND HITTING OTHER CARS.

NHTSA ID
11406471
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
Mileage
61,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 28, 2020

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH IT MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND I TOOK IT IN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $400.00 TO DRAIN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPLACE IT. I TOLD THEM M PICK UP ONLY HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT I DON'T THINK THIS IS FAIR, THE SERVICE GU SAID THE DON'T PAY FOR IT AND OTHER GMC DENALI CUSTOMERS HAD THEIRS DONE AND PROBLEM WAS SOLVED AND I WASN'T THE ONLY CUSTOMER THAT HAD THE ISSUE AND CORY FROM ALASKA AUTO BODY SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID
11385369
Incident
Dec 23, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2020
1 injury reported

I NEARLY DIED WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2018 GMC DENALI THIS MORNING. I WAS ONLY GOING 60 MPH WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER CUT IN FRONT OF ME, AND HIT THEIR BRAKES BUT WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, I COULD NOT! I THEN BEGAN SWERVING FROM LANE TO LANE BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING. THANK GOD I DIDN'T DIE AND THAT THE PERSON ON THE RIGHT SLOWED DOWN AND MOVED OUT THE WAY. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT. WHY I HAVE NO IDEA. BUT WHY IS GM PUTTING PEOPLE LIVES AT RISK LIKE THIS? WHY ARE WE HAVING TO SUFFER OR PUT OUR FAMILIES IN JEOPARDY. THIS MAKES NO SENSE. MY CHEST STARTED HURTING REALLY BAD AFTERWARDS, BECAUSE I WAS SO SCARED. I WAS ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT BUT EVEN THAT DOESN'T CAUSE A VEHICLE NOT TO RESPOND LIKE IT DID.

NHTSA ID
11366569
Incident
Oct 26, 2020
Mileage
14,700 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2020

ON THE MORNING OF OCT 26, 2020 @ 845AM... I WAS HEADING SOUTH ON 287 IN MANSFIELD TX. IT WAS RAINING HARD SO I WAS ONLY GOING 60 MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS GOING 55 OR SO. WHEN THE RAIN AND WIND PICKED UP, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ABRUPTLY HIT ITS BRAKES. THAT'S WHEN MY TRUCK BRAKES LOCKED AND I BEGAN SLIDING OR BEING PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE ON THE 2 LANE HIGHWAY. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR GOD AND ME, NOT PANICKING... I WOULD HAVE CRASHED! MY TRUCK FISH TAILED TWICE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT... I COULDN'T STOP. I ALMOST PUT THE TRUCK GEAR IN NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS RAINING SO SOMEHOW THE TRUCK MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN GOING UP A SMALL HILL, GIVING ME CONTROL BACK. THERE WERE 2 OTHER CARS THAT SEEN THIS. I WAS A NERVOUS WRECK! I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO THE FIRST GAS STATION I SAW AND THANKED GOD NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS, WHAT IF MY FAMILY WERE IN THE VEHICLE? HOW IS IT THAT GM IS ALLOWED TO SELL THESE VEHICLES? ALSO, I SEARCHED ALMOST EVERY WEBSITE AND INCLUDED MY VIN... BUT EVERY REPLY SAYS MY TRUCK IS OK (UNTIL TODAY). I HAVEN'T HAD THIS TRUCK FOR A YEAR YET. BUT I'M READY TO TRADE IT IN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL. I ALMOST WANT TO GET MY TRUCK TOWED HOME. WHY PUT PEOPLE LIVES IN JEOPARDY?

NHTSA ID
11366524
Incident
Oct 26, 2020
Mileage
14,700 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT3271Q

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

PIP4902V

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

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIP4902U

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

PIT5214G

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.

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 Denali by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020900
2019260031.0
2018Viewing170040.1
2017140045.0
2016300036.8
2015220140.5
2014140131.8
2013800
2012100026.9
2011280029.4
2010100027.8
2009700
2008180031.9
2007100
2006510
2005420
2004111037.6
2003000
2002131039.8

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.