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2018 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

121 reports with mileage · 179 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

128 reports
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50 miles · May 11, 2019
Power Train

DAILY THE TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. POTENTIALLY CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IVE HAD IT IN THE GMC SHOP 3 TIMES AND GMC IS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR PERIODS OF 4 HRS OR MORE THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. THIS IS A SERIOUS POLITICAL SAFTEY HAZARD IN THE 8SPEED TRANS…

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DAILY THE TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. POTENTIALLY CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IVE HAD IT IN THE GMC SHOP 3 TIMES AND GMC IS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR PERIODS OF 4 HRS OR MORE THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. THIS IS A SERIOUS POLITICAL SAFTEY HAZARD IN THE 8SPEED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11206941

6,912 miles · May 3, 2019
Power Train

AT 40MPH LOUD BANG FELT LIKE WE WERE REAR ENDED, SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE REAR ENDED, HUGE JOLT FORWARD NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT, POSSIBLE BACK INJURY, SEATS JOLTED, LOOKED BEHIND US AND NOTHING THERE. WAS DRIVING AT 30-35MPH AND JUST ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO PASS A CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CITY STREET 3 LANES. DEALER TURNED US AWAY B…

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AT 40MPH LOUD BANG FELT LIKE WE WERE REAR ENDED, SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE REAR ENDED, HUGE JOLT FORWARD NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT, POSSIBLE BACK INJURY, SEATS JOLTED, LOOKED BEHIND US AND NOTHING THERE. WAS DRIVING AT 30-35MPH AND JUST ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO PASS A CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CITY STREET 3 LANES. DEALER TURNED US AWAY BECAUSE COULD NOT DUPLICATE FOR THEM. GMC SAID CASE WAS ACCELERATED NO CALL BACK AS OF YET.

NHTSA ODI #11205523

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2019
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAS SHUDDER AND NOW WONT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11204322

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2019
Power Train

DOCUMENT ID 4605342 #16-NA-361 : INFORMATION ON TRANSMISSION HARSH 1-2 SHIFT UPON FIRST START UP/SHIFT OF THE DAY UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE THIS GM BULLETIN WAS ISSUED JUL 21, 2017 ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES AND ACCORDING TO THIS BULLETIN THE PROBLEM DOES NOT HAVE A RESOLUTION. THE BULLETIN CLEARLY STATES CHANGING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISS…

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DOCUMENT ID 4605342 #16-NA-361 : INFORMATION ON TRANSMISSION HARSH 1-2 SHIFT UPON FIRST START UP/SHIFT OF THE DAY UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE THIS GM BULLETIN WAS ISSUED JUL 21, 2017 ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES AND ACCORDING TO THIS BULLETIN THE PROBLEM DOES NOT HAVE A RESOLUTION. THE BULLETIN CLEARLY STATES CHANGING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THIS IS AFFECTING MY GMC WITH THE 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT HAS NONE THE LESS SOLD THE VEHICLES TO CONSUMERS WITHOUT DISCLOSURE. NEITHER GM OR DARREL WALTRIP GMC IN FRANKLIN TN DISCLOSED THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO THE SALE. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALER ADMITTED THE ISSUE CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND TOLD ME GM IS UNWILLING TO DO A TRADE ASSISTANCE OR BUYBACK. GM CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR YET HAS A CLEAR DOCUMENT THAT SAYS OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ODI #11196484

11,000 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Power Train

WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION AND WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 15-20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES "HUNT" FOR A GEAR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO NOT ACCELERATE. THIS RESULTS IN A MILD JERKING OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/SKIPPING. THIS IS MORE APPARENT WHEN GOING UP A GRADE…

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WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION AND WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 15-20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES "HUNT" FOR A GEAR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO NOT ACCELERATE. THIS RESULTS IN A MILD JERKING OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/SKIPPING. THIS IS MORE APPARENT WHEN GOING UP A GRADE VERSUS ON A FLAT SURFACE. SO I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL WAITING FOR THE TRUCK TO SHIFT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE WHEN NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, AN ACCIDENT IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR. I SEE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN ANOTHER INCIDENT ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK ON 02/2018 AND THE REASON I HAVE WAITED TO REPORT IS DUE TO THE DEALER STATING TO ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO UPDATE/LEARN YOUR DRIVING HABITS. I HAVE 11,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK NOW AND STILL EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11193281

2,950 miles · Feb 14, 2019
Power Train

EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTING ON LOWER GEARS. WHEN SLOWING WHEN IT GOES FROM 2ND TO 1ST IT FEELS LIKE I GOT REAR-ENDED. NOT ALL THE TIME BUT ONCE A DAY AT LEAST. IT ALSO SHUDDERS WHEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES THE RPM GOES WAY HIGH AND IT LURCHES FORWARD WHEN IT UPSHIFTS.

NHTSA ODI #11180014

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2019
Power Train

BRAND NEW 2018 SIERRA 1500 Z71. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS (6+HRS) THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A "HARD" 1-2 SHIFT. THIS OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, THIS IS THE HARD SHIFT FEELING. OTHER TIMES T…

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BRAND NEW 2018 SIERRA 1500 Z71. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS (6+HRS) THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A "HARD" 1-2 SHIFT. THIS OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, THIS IS THE HARD SHIFT FEELING. OTHER TIMES THE TRUCK LOSES ACCELERATION, CUTS OUT, FEELS LIKE THE TRUCK HAS RAN OUT OF FUEL. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LONG PERIOD. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A RESOLUTION. IVE ATTACHED A SCAN'D COPY OF THE DOCUMENT THEY GAVE ME #16-NA-361.

NHTSA ODI #11165874

200 miles · Nov 6, 2018
Power TrainWheels

SINCE DAY 1 OF PURCHASING NEW,TO CURRENT DATE, THERE IS VIBRATION AT IDLE. THERE IS VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60 MPH PLUS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR TESTING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. GM SAYS IT MEETS THEIR SPECIFICATIONS. THE DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES 3 TIMES, NO LUCK. THE DEALER REPLA…

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SINCE DAY 1 OF PURCHASING NEW,TO CURRENT DATE, THERE IS VIBRATION AT IDLE. THERE IS VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60 MPH PLUS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR TESTING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. GM SAYS IT MEETS THEIR SPECIFICATIONS. THE DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES 3 TIMES, NO LUCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, SAME ISSUE. I AM TOLD THE VIBRATION AT IDLE IS NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM IS DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH GM AND THE DEALER FOR 7 MONTHS WITH NO RESOLVE. HTTPS://WWW.KSHB.COM/NEWS/LOCAL-NEWS/INVESTIGATIONS/GENERAL-MOTORS-CUSTOMERS-FRUSTRATED-OVER-SHAKING-IN-PICKUP-TRUCKS THIS LINK OF A NEWS CLIP SHOWS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY, SO IGNORE THE DATE I ENTERED BELOW. I HAVE VIDEOS BUT THE FILE IS TOO LARGE TO DOWNLOAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11149780

Official recalls

7

26V325000 · Air Bags

May 21, 2026

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 & remedy

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 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.

26V166000 · Air Bags

Mar 19, 2026

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 & remedy

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.

25V432000 · Air Bags

Jun 26, 2025

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 & remedy

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.

24V756000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

Oct 10, 2024

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 & remedy

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.

20V603000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Oct 1, 2020

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 & remedy

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.

19V761000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring

Oct 24, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Service Brakes

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Sep 6, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.