← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Steering complaints

30 reports
Clear category filter
35,750 miles · Apr 23, 2020
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

A/C STOPS WORKING 2.) MECHANIC DOES VACUUM TEST AND REPLACES REFRIGERANT ($200) FREON 3.) A/C IS BLOWING HOT AIR AGAIN AFTER 3 DAYS; REFRIGERANT COMPLETELY GONE 4.) MECHANIC RUNS DYE THROUGH LINES TO FIND THE LEAK, REPLACES REFRIGERANT AGAIN AND STATES THE PROBLEM IS COMPRESSOR FAILURE ($200) AGAIN 5.) THE OVERALL FIX WOULD BE T…

Read full complaint

A/C STOPS WORKING 2.) MECHANIC DOES VACUUM TEST AND REPLACES REFRIGERANT ($200) FREON 3.) A/C IS BLOWING HOT AIR AGAIN AFTER 3 DAYS; REFRIGERANT COMPLETELY GONE 4.) MECHANIC RUNS DYE THROUGH LINES TO FIND THE LEAK, REPLACES REFRIGERANT AGAIN AND STATES THE PROBLEM IS COMPRESSOR FAILURE ($200) AGAIN 5.) THE OVERALL FIX WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR ($1,000) BUT THERE ARE NO COMPRESSORS TO BE FOUND, THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER BECAUSE OF THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM." LEFT SIDE OF WHEEL MAKING ALOUD NOISE WHEN BACKUP , IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING RACK TANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT FROM 30-15 MAKE A PUSH EFFECT AND COUCHING NOISE

NHTSA ODI #11321974

16,500 miles · Jan 26, 2020
Steering

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AND VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT EXTREME EFFORT.

NHTSA ODI #11301911

47,000 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

TRUCK SHIFT INTO GEAR VERY ROUGHLY. SHAKES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH ALL SPEEDS. FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS FALLING OFF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11234127

6,000 miles · Jun 21, 2019
EnginePower TrainSteering

NO TRANSMISSION POWER REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SHIFTER POSITION. I TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET A SOLUTION, NO LUCK. I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE 5 MINUTES LATER AND DID GET IT TO MOVE,,,WOULD ONLY GO 25 MPH AT 3000 RPMS. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF WI NOT NEAR ANY MAJOR DEALERSHIP ON-STAR WAS USELESS SAYING…

Read full complaint

NO TRANSMISSION POWER REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SHIFTER POSITION. I TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET A SOLUTION, NO LUCK. I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE 5 MINUTES LATER AND DID GET IT TO MOVE,,,WOULD ONLY GO 25 MPH AT 3000 RPMS. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF WI NOT NEAR ANY MAJOR DEALERSHIP ON-STAR WAS USELESS SAYING I HAD A MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER WAS TRYING TO PROTECT THE ENGINE. I WAS DIRECTED ME TO A CHRYSLER DEALER SHIP, WHO TOLD THEY COULD NOT GET ME IN FOR 2 WEEKS, SUGGESTED ANOTHER BRANCH WHICH WAS OVER 45 MILES AWAY. I DROVE 5 MILES TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND WAS ABLE TO FIND A DEALERSHIP IN JANESVILLE, WI (FAGAN). WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO JANESVILLE, THE TRANSMISSION DID WORK. FAGAN SPENT 2 HOURS WORKING ON IT, AND COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEMS, THEY CHECKED EVERY COMPUTER, COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPENED. THEY REPROGRAMMED ALL THE COMPUTERS. THEN IN CINCINNATI, OH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WENT "OFF", WHILE STAIONARY. I TRIED RESTARTING SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL, DROVE THE 3 MILES LEFT TO THE G'KIDS HOUSE, NO POWER STEERING, TRAILER PROBLEM LIGHJT ON, NO RPM OR MPH NEEDLES MOVING. CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP (BORCHARDING) AND THEY SUGGESTED I DRIVE IT TO THEIR LOCATION 12 MILES AWAY. WHEN I STARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON, BUT THE UNIT WOULD NOT GET OUT OF 2ND GEAR, RAN 40 MPH AT 2500 RPM, WARNING LIGHTS ALL ON, ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. NEXT MORING I STARTED THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING WAS OKAY INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BUT STILL HAD THE "CHECK ENGINE ON", THE DEALERSHIP KEPT IT (2) DAYS, INVOLVED GMC ENGINEERS, COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS,INCLUDING LOSS OF "STEERING ASSIST". THEY DROVE IT OVER 50 MILES ON TWO TRIPS,COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPENED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOME KIND OF COMPUTER PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE, THEY RESET EVERYTHING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11221668

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2018
Steering

THE TRUCK WAS BEING TURNED ON TO RESUME DRIVING AFTER BRIEF STOP. THE VEHICLE ENGINE TURNED ON BUT VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED, FRONT AND REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER TRUCK TURNED OFF FOR 20 MINUTES. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON. I CALLED GMC ROADSIDE SERVICES-!THEY RECOMMENDED TOWING VEHI…

Read full complaint

THE TRUCK WAS BEING TURNED ON TO RESUME DRIVING AFTER BRIEF STOP. THE VEHICLE ENGINE TURNED ON BUT VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED, FRONT AND REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER TRUCK TURNED OFF FOR 20 MINUTES. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON. I CALLED GMC ROADSIDE SERVICES-!THEY RECOMMENDED TOWING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11157331

8,128 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Steering

I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH DOWN HIGHWAY 75 IN MCKINNEY TX, WHEN MY STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. LUCKILY I MANAGED TO GET TRUCK STOPPED AND TOWED BACK TO DEALER. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A FATALITY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11149451

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2018
Steering

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STEERS VERY HARD LIKE A LACK OF POWER STEERING THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING KIKS IN CAUSING A OVER STEERING SITUATION . FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNER WHO HAS SAME ISSUE. PICKUP HAS 40 MILES ON IT. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11104924

3,000 miles · Jun 20, 2018
Steering

WHEN IN TRAFFIC AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ACTUALLY TURN TO THE LEFT. IT TAKES YOU BUY SURPRISE AND IT'S A STRANGE FEELING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THEIR IS NO ISSUES. VERY SCARY! IT HAPPENS AT ANYTIME AND WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11102762

1,500 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Steering

STEERING PULLS TO LEFT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND TERRAIN. PULLS ENOUGH TO TURN YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. STEERING PROBLEM CONTINUES AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11091022

150 miles · Jan 25, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED IT STEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT . NOT A SIMPLE ALIGNMENT PULL OR WANDER I CAN FEEL THE WHEEL AS TO WHICH WAY IT WANTS TO STEER AT RANDOM. IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION OR IF YOU WERE TO LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL GO OFF THE ROAD ABSOLUTLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE FEEL…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED IT STEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT . NOT A SIMPLE ALIGNMENT PULL OR WANDER I CAN FEEL THE WHEEL AS TO WHICH WAY IT WANTS TO STEER AT RANDOM. IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION OR IF YOU WERE TO LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL GO OFF THE ROAD ABSOLUTLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE I HAVE TO GIVE EXCESSIVE GAS PETAL THROTTLE TO GET UP TO SPEED. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES I HAVE CAME HOME FROM AS SHORT DRIVE AND I CAN SMELL THE BRAKES THEY SMELL BURNT HOT. ONE INSTANCE I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK STRUGGLED TO GET UP TO 60MPH I HAD THE PETAL FLOORED AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO OVER 65MPH THE ENGINE WAS @ 5000RPM MAXED OUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT NOR GO FASTER THAN 65MPH. RANDOMLY TRANSMISSION THUNKS THUD AND SLAMS INTO GEARS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT LOW SPEED BELOW 50. WHILE DRIVING TRUCK FEELS LIKE THE DRIVE TRAN IS BOUND UP LIKE BRAKE IS APPLIED ON INDIVIDUAL WHEEL(S) . I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK VERY WEIRD ISSUES THAT DON'T MAKE MECHANICAL SENSE. ALSO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES AND INFOTAINMENT SCREEN DON'T LIGHT UP JUST BLACK SCREENS AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. HAPPENED 2 TIMES NOW. RADIO WAS OFF WHILE DRIVING THEN CAME ON FULL VOLUME WITHOUT TOUCHING ANYTHING. SERVICE STABILITY /STEERING WARNING CAME ON ONCE.I CAN HEAR FRONT TRANSFER CASE ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE AT LOW SPEEDS RANDOMLY WHEN IN 2WD. RANDOMLY STUCK IN LOW GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE BRAKES MUCH TO STOP YOU BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU LET OFF GAS PETAL THE VEHICLE NEARLY COMES TO A STOP WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. AND IF YOU ARE TURNING IT WILL AT TIMES COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES NOW THEY SAY EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT. THERE IS A MAJOR COMPUTER ISSUE OR IS HACKED PER ALL IVE RESEARCHED.

NHTSA ODI #11064915

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.