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GMC Sierra 1500Model year report

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Compared with other GMC Sierra 1500 years

Typical for this model

46/100 0.9× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
305filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
34,000miles, 121 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 7 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems: shuddering, hard or harsh shifts, delayed engagement, and in some cases a transmission replacement. Engine concerns such as coolant loss from a leaking radiator and valvetrain noise are also common, and brake complaints often center on loss of power assist. Reports cluster at relatively low mileage, with many transmission complaints filed well under 60,000 miles.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission shudder, hard shifts and slipping

    • 120 complaints (39%)
    • median 31,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (56 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $4,000 (median of 9 quotes)
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners describe shuddering or vibration while driving, often at steady speeds or during light acceleration, along with harsh or jerky shifts between lower gears and delayed engagement when shifting from reverse to drive. Some complaints state that a fluid flush or replacement was performed, and a few report that the transmission or torque converter was replaced, sometimes more than once. Several owners describe being told by the dealer that the shifting was within normal specifications. Mostly reported between roughly 11,000 and 75,000 miles, with many under 40,000 miles and several noted during cold starts.

    5 related service bulletins

    What to check: During a test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and hold a steady 40-50 mph to feel for shudder or vibration, and check for harsh shifts at low speed. Ask whether any transmission fluid service or software update was performed and whether the torque converter was replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought this vehicle new from day one I noticed the truck was jerking between 2nd gear and third. Only when cold I figured it was normal. I have 11,000 miles now and the jerking is worse and does it when I hold a speed between 45mph and 50mph also. When I am coming to a stop it hit hard into 1st gear and when I take off it hits hard into 2nd gear.”

    NHTSA complaint #11326720, filed 2020-06, 11,000 miles

    “The transmission failed at 32,000 miles slipped so bad could hardly drive it home on highway i95 jacksonville florida. Finally got a dealer appointment after over 2 weeks of waiting without the use the vehicle. They replaced the fluid and said it was now good. Still tends to slip I asked why they were not replacing the whole unit said no need as my warranty is almost up?”

    NHTSA complaint #11353540, filed 2020-09, 32,000 miles
  2. Engine

    Engine ticking, lifter and camshaft noise

    • 42 complaints (14%)
    • median 64,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $4,500 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2019–2026

    Owners describe ticking, tapping, knocking or popping sounds from the engine, sometimes with a flashing check engine light, misfire codes, or a loss of power. Complaints state that dealers or independent shops found failed lifters, pushrods or camshaft damage, and in several cases the engine was replaced. Some owners report recently repaired or replaced engines needing to be serviced again. Mostly reported from about 58,000 to 110,000 miles in the sample.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: On a cold start, listen for ticking or tapping from the engine bay and check for any stored misfire codes. Ask whether lifters, camshaft or the engine itself have been replaced, and keep records of oil changes.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving with the roads in a wet condition, for various lengths of time, and in different maneuvers, the service engine light will start flashing and the vehicle will begin to lose power. After a few minutes, the service engine light will go solid and the traction control light will illuminate. The vehicle loses more power. On braking, just before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, there is a clunk in the transmission and the vehicle lurches. This has occurred 6 times in the last 14 months. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11403994, filed 2021-03, 33,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the exhaust manifold bolts had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #11626764, filed 2024-11, 64,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Reduced power brake assist / hard brake pedal

    • 30 complaints (10%)
    • median 37,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners describe the brake pedal losing pressure or feeling unusually hard, requiring extra force to slow the vehicle, sometimes with a brake assist message on the instrument panel. Complaints state that dealers diagnosed a failed brake vacuum pump, and some owners reference a related recall on the vacuum pump. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 135,000 miles in the sample.

    Recall 20V603000Recall 19V645000Recall 19V761000

    What to check: Press the brake pedal with the engine running and feel for a firm, consistent pedal; ask whether the vacuum pump recall repairs were completed and whether the pump has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I received a recall notice for a brake problem on my truck. The recall gave a location to take my truck for service. When I contacted that dealership they said it was a canadian truck and they couldn't perform the recall repair. So I called the GM hot line they said I had to take it to canada for the repair and that was the only option.”

    NHTSA complaint #11349539, filed 2020-08, 23,000 miles

    “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 taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11662760, filed 2025-05, 75,000 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Battery and electrical gremlins

    • 39 complaints (13%)
    • median 32,781 mi at 3.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners report repeated battery replacements, a vehicle that would not start or move, doors locking or windows moving without input, and intermittent electrical faults. Some complaints also describe the vehicle going into a reduced-power mode with warning lights. Reported from about 12,000 to 36,000 miles in the sample.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for battery replacement records and check the battery age and charge. Have a shop scan for stored codes and confirm that no aftermarket devices are plugged into the diagnostic port.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My truck locked itself with the engine running when I was parked in the driveway. Also have had the back driver side window roll itself down part ways without me initiating it. Another occasion I put the truck in gear to drive position and the brake or something had it locked preventing me from moving either direction ie; drive or reverse. Was then parked in home garage and attempting to back out.”

    NHTSA complaint #11310865, filed 2020-02, 12,000 miles

    “The first thing that happened was that all of the electrical systems on my truck went out and my truck would not start. It finally started but it would not move finally it would move but very slowly this happened on 11/20/2019 I have documentation through onstar for this incident. My brakes started slipping on 07/01/2020 and still do not work properly. My transmission has never shifted correctly. When I accelerate or when I slow down there is a shudder and a jerking sound. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11361623, filed 2020-09, 27,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase test drive that includes low-speed shifts and a steady 40-60 mph stretch is the best way to feel for transmission shudder, and it is worth asking for service records covering transmission fluid, the brake vacuum pump recall, and any engine valvetrain work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 305 consumer complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. 121 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 34,000 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 956 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 GMC Sierra 1500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 46 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (6), Forward collision avoidance (6), Body and structure (6), Vehicle speed control (6), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (6), Seat belts (5), Tires (5), Equipment (3), Exterior lighting (3), Seats (2), Electronic stability control (1), Lane departure (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 complaint #11205523, filed 2019-05, 6,912 miles

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11221668, filed 2019-06, 6,000 miles

Brakes: “I was in the bank atm drive through and the guy ahead of me started to go, I barely pushed the gas pedal and he decided to stop. I hit my brakes and the truck was hard to stop, almost like the gas pedal response was still in the go mode before it had the chance to react to my input of taking my foot off the gas to apply the brakes. I can duplicate this behavior all the time.”

NHTSA complaint #11179848, filed 2019-02, 2,900 miles

Electrical system: “My vehicle is hacked anytime I am driving the vehicle I am not in full control. The vehicle steers itself left or right while driving, the brakes are always on while driving sometimes braking harder but always on. The infotainment system has many glitches. This vehicle has been back to the dealership more than 15 times has been out of service over 35 days GM even flew a engineer/tech to inspect the vehicle and says they couldnt find anything. Therefore this vehicle is hacked there are so many issues and glitches and the fact that the truck only acts like this when I am driving no one else. …”

NHTSA complaint #11162966, filed 2018-12, 200 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 121 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 64,000 miles.

24%0–1015%10–2526%25–5015%50–759%75–1009%100–1502%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (121 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 34,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20182019202020212022202320242025652026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sierra 1500 · extended cab 4WD★★★★★5 / 5544 · 17.9% risk
Sierra 1500 · regular cab 4WD★★★★★5 / 5544 · 17.4% risk
Sierra 1500 · crew cab 4WD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.4% risk
Sierra 1500 · regular cab RWD★★★★★5 / 5544 · 17.9% risk
Sierra 1500 · crew cab RWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.9% risk
Sierra 1500 · hybrid pu/cc RWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.9% risk
Sierra 1500 · extended cab RWD★★★★★5 / 5544 · 17.4% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: 4–5 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sierra C15 2WD5.3L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162319$3,550
Sierra C15 2WD5.3L 8-cyl8-speed automatic162218$3,700
Sierra C15 2WD6.2L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152117$4,850
Sierra K15 4WD5.3L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162218$3,700
Sierra K15 4WD5.3L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152017$3,950
Sierra K15 4WD6.2L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152017$4,850
Sierra C15 2WD4.3L 6-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic182420$3,350
Sierra C15 2WD5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic162319$3,550
Sierra K15 4WD4.3L 6-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic172219$3,550
Sierra K15 4WD5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic162218$3,700
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD5.3L 8-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic182420$3,350
Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD5.3L 8-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic162118$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 956 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 956 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Sierra 1500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20261473,9002519Too new to compareToo new
202512516,0001519Too new to compareToo new
202437920,0001518Too new to compareToo new
202350630,115351881 · MoreToo new
202260239,77064–51882 · MoreRising
202159950,00074–51776 · MoreRising
202048435,930124–51978 · MoreRising
201965814,250104–51989 · MoreRising
201830534,000751946 · TypicalRising
201735538,984651943 · TypicalStable
201634347,000851954 · TypicalStable
201572047,000951976 · MoreFalling
201474355,000951976 · MoreFalling
201311670,00034170 · FewerFalling
201210760,44034170 · FewerFalling
201128455,250541716 · FewerFalling
201016863,7504—170 · FewerFalling
200923472,7504—160 · FewerFalling
200838175,0002—170 · FewerFalling
200726373,4622—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200614552,0000—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200517770,0000—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200421260,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200318075,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200216680,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200114097,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200018190,5061—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1999158107,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19985980,5002—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19978382,5003—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19965132,5000—16—Not enough data
199413129,7750—15—Not enough data

All GMC Sierra 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems: shuddering, hard or harsh shifts, delayed engagement, and in some cases a transmission replacement. The issues reported most often: Transmission shudder, hard shifts and slipping; Engine ticking, lifter and camshaft noise; Reduced power brake assist / hard brake pedal.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 305 consumer complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 131 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine with 67.

Has the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 7 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 (Sierra C15 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 reported?

Among the 121 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 34,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 64,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.