One of the better Sierra 1500 years
Owners filed about 32% fewer complaints than a typical Sierra 1500 year. The area owners reported most is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 30,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sierra 1500 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (131, 43% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control. That ranks 11th of 13 Sierra 1500 years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 7 recalls.
2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
131 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
72 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 59,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Customer states: thinks crankshaft pulley is loose due to prior water pump [VIN]-crackshaft pulley has nothing to do with water pump [VIN]. 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 [VIN] is required. Also…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
44 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal displayed more resistance than expected, causing the contact to have to apply more pressure while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the braking distance was extended due to the failure. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, while depressing the brake pedal to slow down, the brake pedal lost pressure, and the vehicle experienced a reduction in braking power. The contact had to depress the brake pedal with additional force to properly slow the vehicle. There was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 135,000 miles
Electrical system
43 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 72,000. It was later discovered later that the mileage was 241,556.Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 241,556 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced three times since 2018. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the first…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 36,000 miles
Steering
30 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Hit a small bump driving 55mph on highway and had sudden complete power steering loss and extremely hard to turn. Drove to a safe location and shut down truck for 1 hour. Upon restart power steering was operating normal. Proceeded back on the freeway and as soon as I hit a small bump with driver's side front tire the same thing happened…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while pulling up to park the vehicle at approximately 2 MPH, the power steering failed causing the contact to use an excessive an extra amount of effort while maneuvering the steering wheel to park the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 39,000 miles
Wheels and tires
12 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Purchased the tires on 10-25-2021 and with only 16,000 miles on the 4 new tires; we have non-normal cracking on the side of the Thread. These tires are only 3 years old. P275/55r20 We are contacting the tire manufacturer and also the tire service center for help under the 60,000 mile warranty. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3. The tires…Owner complaint, filed 2024
In May 2022, I purchased four Cooper Discoverer A/T All-Season 117T 275/55/R20 tires from Walmart.com for my 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT. In May 2023 my vehicle developed a vibration when driving at certain speeds, so I took it to a GMC dealer for a tire rotation and balance. The mechanic discovered that one of the tires had a large bubble…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Fuel system
11 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Gas leak. My 2018 gmc sierra 1500 has been giving me two codes for evap leak small and large and i notice a black spot on my drive way under the gas tank wich in fact was gas. I can see the gas tank is wet but it comes from the top part of the gas tank. I been looking for recalls on this but there isnt any for this specific year of GMC…Owner complaint, filed 2022
I own a $35,000 2018 gmc Sierra 1500 6.2l V8 4x4 Denali, which is currently down due to engine failure while I was driving down the road.. never had a check engine light on the dash. Haven't had the truck a year before it quit. Rods knocking, crankshaft bearings, loss of power, high rpm with little acceleration. I could have the peddle…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
11 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the independent mechanic performed a full inspection of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the CV axles were corroded, and the CV axles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 93,555 miles
When driving the truck starts to rattle as is I was driving on a bumpy road. It is not continuously but id happens oftenOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 39,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
9 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 4,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air conditioning system became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air conditioning system failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH with the rear window defroster activated, there was a burning rubber odor inside the cabin of the vehicle and there was smoke coming from the rear window area. While inspecting the rear window the contact discovered that the rear window…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 60,952 miles
Air bags
8 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH on bumpy terrain, the driver’s and passenger’s side curtain air bags deployed unexpectedly. No warning light was illuminated, and there was no impact to the vehicle to cause the air bags to deploy. The vehicle was taken to a local…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 80,000 miles
all side airbags deployed for no reason on my driveway at a speed of less than 15 miles per hour. the front airbags did not deploy. no accident. no damage.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
7 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The middle rear seatbelt fails to lock when retracted, therefore I cannot use my grandchild's booster seat. The dealership has ordered a [VIN], but cost nearly $300. I bought the vehicle new in december 2018, but have never had to use the real seatbelt until now. Therefore I did not know it did not work properly until now.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driver assist systems
6 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driver Assist-Lane Keeping Assist-Forward Collision Warning-Automatic Emergency Breaking Life Threatening When System Fails and is Intermittent . Vehicle has been said to be dangerous to drive by GM Tech/Can cause life threatening conditions. Fault has been confirmed by Dealership. WARNING LAMP> "SERVICE DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM" Friday 3…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Engine failure, 5/3/22, 23,987 miles, all lifters was replaced under warranty, engine failure, 7/6/26, 46004 miles, took truck in for oil change and when returned had a ticking noise. Dealership notified me that camshaft issues and metal detected in oil. Engine needs replaced. 6.2 v8 2018. Turpin motors, geneseo, il has done all serivce…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
6 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle suddenly went into Reduced Engine Power while driving in heavy traffic. Vehicle immediately began to slow down and although there was some throttle response it was difficult to maneuver through traffic to get to the side of the road. This event happened around the 31,000 mile mark. The Reduced Engine Power message came on, but I…Owner complaint, filed 2021
I am the original owner of a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L L86 engine and 8-speed 8L90 transmission. I began experiencing severe transmission shuddering and harsh shifting, especially at lower speeds or under light acceleration. When the issue occurs, I press the gas and the engine revs up to 6,000 RPM without reaching 20 MPH…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Body, doors and structure
6 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (6).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
I left home to go to the store. While driving on the highway my sunroof exploded. There were no cars or truck in front of me or passing me. Nothing hit my truck. It sounded like a shotgun going off inside the truck. The sunroof exploded sending glass everywhere. I was driving on a 5 lane highway, it was raining, but not a bad storm. The…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 34,960 miles
Spare tire crank cable broke allowing spare tire to fall out from under the truck on the interstate at 70 MPH. Spare tire slide backwards under my 5th wheel camper damaging the camper and flying off into the highway median.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 60,000 miles
GMC Sierra 1500 complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 full-size trucks
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 | One of the better years | 7 |
| 2018 Ford F-150 | Worse than most years | 19 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | One of the better years | 7 |
| 2018 Ram 1500 | One of the better years | 15 |
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
Air bags
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Inflator
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Vacuum
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Wheel speed sensor / tone ring
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Vacuum
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 are the transmission and drivetrain (131 complaints), the engine and cooling (72 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (44 complaints).
Is the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 a good year to buy?
One of the better Sierra 1500 years. Owners filed about 32% fewer complaints than a typical Sierra 1500 year. The area owners reported most is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 30,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sierra 1500 years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the air bags. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 30,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 59,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should I avoid?
The Sierra 1500 years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2013 and 2018. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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