← 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

What owners actually said

300 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2022
Power Train

Transmission System, hard shifts and shaking causing vehicle to down shift hard and throw itself forward almost causing an accident when coming to a stop, when vehicle was taken into service they did not diagnose the vehicle for this problem, while driving vehicle shifted down so hard causing vehicle to be stuck in only 1st gear…

Read full complaint

Transmission System, hard shifts and shaking causing vehicle to down shift hard and throw itself forward almost causing an accident when coming to a stop, when vehicle was taken into service they did not diagnose the vehicle for this problem, while driving vehicle shifted down so hard causing vehicle to be stuck in only 1st gear and would not shift out of 1st gear

NHTSA ODI #11482527

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2022
Service Brakes

The service alert for the trailer brakes keeps going off constantly and continues to go off persistently almost making the vehicle undriveable. I was informed to file a complaint with your company by my local dealership as this is a recurring issue with GMC trucks.

NHTSA ODI #11481640

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2022
Service Brakes

I am getting a service alert for the Trailer Brake System. It is constant and loud and distracting and a significant safety hazard, not only because of the distraction, but also because it renders trailer brakes completely useless

NHTSA ODI #11479427

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2022
Service Brakes

*A message and alarm kept going off on our truck "Service Trailer Brake". We are not towing a trailer, nor had we had a trailer hooked to this vehicle since 2019. It began only going off occasionally, but within a few weeks it was going off constantly. It would show repeatedly on the dash and the alarm would sound over and ov…

Read full complaint

*A message and alarm kept going off on our truck "Service Trailer Brake". We are not towing a trailer, nor had we had a trailer hooked to this vehicle since 2019. It began only going off occasionally, but within a few weeks it was going off constantly. It would show repeatedly on the dash and the alarm would sound over and over. Trying to turn off the system was not successful, no matter how many times we hit dismiss. It was totally distracting and worrisome that something was wrong with our braking system in general. *The constant alarm and dash display made driving a very distracted experience. It is so loud that you cannot hear other outside noises. We were also concerned about the safety of our regular braking system. *I called the dealer where our truck is regularly serviced. They immediately said "Is it the Trailer Assist Alarm?," so it was obvious that this is happening to other owners regularly. It took several days to get in for an appointment. The shop mgr helped us to locate and pull the alarm fuse to stop the noise, so we could drive it to the dealership later in the week. The display was still going off when I pulled the truck into the dealership, as it has done all the way there (17miles from my home). *It was inspected by the GM dealership (Schwarz, INC. Honesdale, PA) and the defective switch was replaced at a cost to us of $127.14 on 08/11/2022. *This issue started several months ago (Feb 2022?), but it was a one time thing. So, we thought it was just a fluke. Then, a month or so ago it started again, but was happening only once or twice and would then disappear for days. Then, 2 weeks ago it began to happen continuously.

NHTSA ODI #11479416

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE SPEED OF THE TRUCK WILL NOT INCREASE. THE RPMS GOES REALLY HIGH AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE REAR END OF TRUCK VIBRATES. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FAULTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES COME ON. I DID NOT HAVE THE NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED BECAUSE DEALER …

Read full complaint

THE SPEED OF THE TRUCK WILL NOT INCREASE. THE RPMS GOES REALLY HIGH AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE REAR END OF TRUCK VIBRATES. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FAULTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES COME ON. I DID NOT HAVE THE NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED BECAUSE DEALER SAID IS COST $300 FOR THE FLUID AND $100 FOR THE LABOR AND $168 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. SO I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO TOLD YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE THIS TRANSMISSION FLUID NO WHERE BUT GMC.

NHTSA ODI #11477417

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Constantly getting “service trailer brakes system “

NHTSA ODI #11474421

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceWheels

The light in the dashboard gose dark and it gives me a warning collision alert and the tiers they spin out of control when turning or when I I’m driving I think it’s the tiers they have a lot of tread still…

NHTSA ODI #11472803

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2022
Electrical SystemEquipment

Informant system and instrument clust/panel starts to change with nothing be clicked. Starts to phantom change everything which is deters from paying attention to actual driving becoming a safety hazard. Dealership has tried to update the software and still does not work.

NHTSA ODI #11470085

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2022
Power Train

Transmission slams into gear in drive and reverse while driving it will slam into gear. And occasionally at speeds under 5 going up a hill it will have no power and struggle. I have 59000 miles on it last year around 53000 miles they did a transmission flush and that fixed it for about 9 months. Just took it back in they reprog…

Read full complaint

Transmission slams into gear in drive and reverse while driving it will slam into gear. And occasionally at speeds under 5 going up a hill it will have no power and struggle. I have 59000 miles on it last year around 53000 miles they did a transmission flush and that fixed it for about 9 months. Just took it back in they reprogrammed the transmission and it no longer slams In drive and reverse but still knocks back-and-forth while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11469489

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2022
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

I was stopped at a fast food drive thru and then I tried to go to the next window and the truck wouldn’t move at all it will just rev so I put it in parked turned off the truck and turn it back on put it on drive and was able to move for like 40 ft then it did it again so I had it towed to my home

NHTSA ODI #11468836

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.