2018 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls and problems

The 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has 7 safety recalls and 306 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
306
Crashes / fires
10 / 1
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

Recall 26V-325: Air Bags

Reported May 21, 2026 · 4,315 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 26V-166: Air Bags

Reported Mar 19, 2026 · 2,819 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 25V-432: Air Bags

Reported Jun 26, 2025 · 1,658 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 24V-756: Air Bags

Reported Oct 10, 2024 · 2,061 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-603: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 1, 2020 · 14,620 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-761: Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Reported Oct 24, 2019 · 652,967 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-645: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Sep 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train132
Engine68
Electrical System43
Service Brakes40
Steering30
Unknown or Other25
Suspension11
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Air Bags8
Wheels7
Forward Collision Avoidance7
Structure6

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 6
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 3
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter — 3
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 2
  • Tires › Sidewall — 2
  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 1
  • Tires › Bead — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 34,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 7, 2026
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Defect Complaint Vehicle: 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 4WD Crew Cab Engine: 5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) VIN: [VIN] Manufacturer: General Motors Component: Engine and Engine Cooling / Powertrain. Date of most recent failure: October 26, 2026. Mileage at most recent failure: 115,215 miles Description of Safety Defect I am submitting this formal safety complaint concerning two documented lifter-related engine failures in my 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with the 5.3L V8 engine. These failures occurred approximately four and a half years and 66,962 miles apart. First…
Power Train · reported Oct 9, 2026
My 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 experienced significant transmission problems that began as rough, inconsistent shifting, hesitation, and abnormal transmission behavior before eventually progressing to complete transmission failure. These symptoms were present before the transmission's ultimate failure and while the vehicle was still within its warranty period. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, local dealership service departments faced significant staffing shortages and appointment backlogs, making timely diagnosis and repair extremely difficult. By the time the transmission failed…
Engine · reported Sep 21, 2026
I was backing out of my garage and truck made strange noise and shut off . Tried to restart but just made ding and wouldn't turn over . Dash lights went blank. Had vehicle towed to shop and mechanic stated it was crank and connecting rods after he dropped the oil pan. I ordered new OEM engine and waiting on delivery . Been 5 weeks now since order . Vehicle only has 106,000 miles on it and have had it since 20,000 miles and all maintenance has always been done . Engine can be inspected at shop as new engine has not arrived
Engine · reported Sep 21, 2026
Customer states: thinks crankshaft pulley is loose due to prior water pump replacement-crackshaft pulley has nothing to do with water pump replacement. Before inspecting/starting engine verified oil level-oil level is on full mark. Started engine-loud rattling/knocking noise from engine-engine has internal failure-engine replacement is required. Also hearing noise in rearend-cannot test drive due to engine condition several TSB's on engine failures with 6.2l engines. Gm has possible recalls coming on 2019-2024 yr models. Not sure if earlier models maybe included underhood inspection 1 7003186…
Power Train · reported Sep 17, 2026
Vehicle purchased Certified Pre-Owned in October of 2021 with roughly 43,000 miles. During the first service (47,598 miles) at a GM dealer I reported very hard shifts, but this issue was ignored during service. At the next servce (54,571 miles) I again reported the hard shifts and "surging" when coming to a stop but the dealer reported they were unable to replicate the issue and did not address it. At the next service (61,620 miles) I reported the issues with the transmission once again and this time they performed a transmission fluid flush/replacement, acknowledging the issue and asking me…

Other GMC Sierra 1500 years

Compare all GMC Sierra 1500 years · All GMC models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500: 26V-325 (air bags), 26V-166 (air bags), 25V-432 (air bags), 24V-756 (air bags), 20V-603 (service brakes, hydraulic) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners report power train problems most often (132 reports), followed by engine (68). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 34,000 miles.

Are GMC recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized GMC dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.