2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500.

20172019
Complaints
406
per 10K Sold
18.5
US Sales
219,554
Crashes
16
Fires
3
Injuries
8
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1121 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:41,148 mi
Crash-related:4
#260 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:56,056 mi
#340 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:46,700 mi
Fires:1
Considering a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500.

Transmission / Drivetrain
121
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
41,148
Engine Problems
60
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,056
Electrical Faults
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
46,700
Brakes
38
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
15,505
Steering Defects
27
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
21,018
Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
16,606
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,852
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
35,600
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
15,921
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
47,000
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
120,348
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
28,564
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Sidewall
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 GMC Sierra 1500

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,130,844 vehicles.

26V166000Airbags
~2,819 affected

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.

25V432000Airbags
~1,658 affected

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.

24V756000Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
~2,061 affected

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.

20V603000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
~14,620 affected

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.

19V761000Brakes · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring · Electronic Stability Control
~652,967 affected

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.

19V645000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
~3,456,719 affected

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.

Other GMC Sierra 1500 Years

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has 406 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 121 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (121 complaints, avg 41,148 mi); Engine Problems (60 complaints, avg 56,056 mi); Electrical Faults (40 complaints, avg 46,700 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 40,189 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 include 16 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,130,844 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2018 GMC Sierra 1500

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99