2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Complaints

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 06/11/2026

Vehicle Details: 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Z72 4x4, 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 engine, VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of incident: 220,000 miles Location: [e.g., Little Rock, Arkansas area or specific road/highway – please provide if desired] What happened: The 5.3L V8 engine’s hydraulic roller lifters failed. One or more lifters collapsed, stuck, or lost proper oil pressure/operation. This led to improper valvetrain function, causing loud ticking/knocking noises, cylinder misfires, significant loss of engine power and performance, and internal engine damage (such as camshaft lobe wear or related components). Component or system that failed or malfunctioned: Hydraulic valve lifters (camshaft followers) in the engine valvetrain, associated with the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. The failed lifter(s) and related components are available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk: The engine malfunction resulted in sudden or progressive power loss and misfiring while driving. This reduced the vehicle’s ability to accelerate or maintain speed, especially in traffic or on highways, creating a hazardous situation that put my safety and the safety of other road users at risk of collision or breakdown. No accident or injuries occurred , or other symptoms prior to the failure with details recall, e.g., ticking noise timeline, misfires Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? “Yes, confirmed by shop inspection” Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? [Yes] Additional notes: Repair estimate is approximately $20,000 (likely due to extent of internal damage requiring major engine work or replacement). This failure aligns with a well-documented issue in GM 5.3L engines equipped with AFM. Vehicle status parked INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STEERING — Filed 06/07/2026

Power steering went out for 2-3 seconds as I was making a turn into a street , this happened twice to be exact

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 03/01/2022

Incident description: On three occasion I have had the same catastrophic Engine failure putting myself and my family along with the general public in harms way. Starting March of 2022 while driving at approximately 60 MPH on the West Shore Expressway my truck experienced a sudden and total loss of motor power. My engine stalled out and I lost my ability to safety steer and stop my vehicle. This all happened during rush hour while driving in the left lane of traffic. This sudden loss of power forced me to maneuver the vehicle to the right shoulder of the expressway across the right lane of traffic. As there was no shoulder to pull over on the left side of the highway. This created an immediate crash risk for myself and other drivers. Upon inspection at the authorized GMC dealership where I purchased the truck new, a certified mechanic determined that the engine experienced a complete failure requiring replacement or rebuilding of the engine. I paid to have the engine rebuilt at the dealership. The second instance was similar to the above incident. Once again I paid for the repair. The third instance was more dangerous as when my trucks engine failed it almost caused an accident. As of today my truck is still sitting in the dealership for over 6 months and no one from the dealership or manufacturer will give me an answer on what has to be done now. This patter of sudden repeated engine failure clearly indicates a systemic safety defect that extends beyond normal wear and tear. I urge the NHTSA to open a defect investigation into the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 engine systems.

STRUCTURE — Filed 04/04/2026

Paint flaking top above windshield within one year of ownership! Paint flaking on left rear door within last month!

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/05/2023

The transmission has always been rough. It has now gone out at 75,000 miles. This transmission issue really seemed to get worse about 50,000 miles. But when I called the dealer, they said they were backed up and couldn't get to it for 9-12 weeks (Covid excuses at that point). Then, it really had an issue going down a large grade into [XXX] . But the issues seemed fairly intermittent. I had an independent shop who said it was hard to tell if it was intermittent. They didn't find metal shavings at the time. ADDITIONALLY, it has also always been a little rough driving. A mechanic looking at it today told me there are no sway bar links at all. This truck has not been modified. This had to have come off the line faulty. Among all the other things. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/23/2026

I’ve owner the vehicle since new. My A/C condenser has failed 3 times, meaning I’m now about to be on my 4th. The welds are weak and it cracks in the same spot 95% of the time. It should last more than a 2 year average.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/16/2026

Premature frame rot

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/19/2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH on bumpy terrain, the driver’s and passenger’s side curtain air bags deployed unexpectedly. No warning light was illuminated, and there was no impact to the vehicle to cause the air bags to deploy. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it remained for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/18/2026

1. Electronic power steering modular issue. My 2018 GMC SEIRRA 1500 CREW CAB JUST LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THEN WHEN I PARK IT. Assist notifications come on, ABS notices, BRAKE light stays on, trailer/tow notifications, trailer assist, parking brake, etc SUDDENLY A LOUD thump & feels like the whole truck just drops like 5” inches, settling. I cannot afford an inspection (ID theft in 2025, compromised all accts & all credit cards) BUT. It IS available as long as cost is covered by YOU !! 2. Lucky it happened in a grocery store parking lot. However not expecting power steering to go out, almost hit a pedestrian. 3. No it has not Ben inspected yet I can’t afford the bill 4. No it has not been reported what for I didn’t hit anybody and the cops in this area they could give her rats ass they don’t make a report the question you like you’re like a criminal. 5. No warnings or anything until it happened that day leaving the grocery store. There is absolutely no notification it was gonna happen. It ran fine when I parked it to grocery shop Come back out & I could barely back out to leave. I can lift up my had fatboy if needed so I’m sure turning a steering wheel…. lol Thnx a lot If I could figure out what part needs to be changed out or you could cover the parts needed. I do work in cars or have in the past, I don’t like the new ones, but this seems simple enough if I knew exactly what part I needed to pull out change out or I see that there’s recalls on previous vehicles and GMC after2020- 24 but I don’t see 2018 didn’t happen so I like to say whoever created that electronic steering can take that module along with the harness and they know exactly where they can put it don’t they I’m just saying as a used to be not sure now a GMC supporter, but I’m starting to think twice now if I

POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/06/2026

I’ve gone through two transmissions on my 2018 gmc sierra 1500 both times the same issue. The gears are shot, hard shifting. Vehicle is well maintained. Both transmissions one original equipment and second bought at the dealership the truck was bought both only lasted over 80000 miles. Driving the truck loss of power or torque is noticed, then a hard shifting. Checked fluid all was good not seeing metallic shavings. Then the overheating of the transmission, faulty valve replaced with aftermarket bypass and did transmission flush. But each occasion there was an incident I would’ve driving on the interstate and vehicle would lose power and almost hard stop and cause a crash. Then vehicle would only go in reverse both times the transmission gave out. The only warning light that ever came on was a transmission overheating and nothing else. I’m currently in the process of having to get another transmission because of the same issue again. Vehicle was seen by a technician and deemed the transmission was shot again.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/20/2025

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally hard. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission was failing. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The transmission was replaced two years ago. In addition, the contact stated that the original transmission had failed at 130,000 miles. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage of the second transmission was approximately 40,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 01/17/2026

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the tires were replaced, and the wheels and bearings were inspected by an independent mechanic, but no failure was found. The independent mechanic related the failure to an undisclosed transmission recall; however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE — Filed 06/01/2024

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. While starting the vehicle, it was shaking violently, with reduced power. The vehicle was restarted and worked as designed. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine and Engine and Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined there was metal in the engine, and there was a misfire coming from cylinder #2. The mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced. There were loose wires from the ECM, and the failure halted after the mechanic secured the wires. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/02/2025

The transmission would purge forward when shifting gears. The shifting was very rough. This vehicle had recently been in accident.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 02/10/2025

On February 10, 2025 the vehicle, a 2018 GMC Sierra, caught on fire while parked in the driveway of my home. The vehicle had last been driven earlier in the day with a return to home at approximately 12:45pm. At approximately 7pm I heard a loud pop outside of my home and saw orange light coming through the front windows. Upon going outside, I found the rear of the vehicle engulfed in flames. The fire was coming out around the remains of the license plate, up and around the rear bumper on the left side, and progressing up the tailgate and window hatch on the bed cap. The fire progressed forward over the next few minutes as the fiberglass cap burned. Eventually the fire penetrated the front window of the cap and rear window of the cab and began burning the interior of the cab. About the time the fire department arrived the fuel tank ruptured and began spilling gasoline onto the ground beneath the vehicle. The fuel tank was approximately 7/8 full. The fire department eventually extinguished the fire, but the vehicle was a total loss. My wife and I had been in close vicinity of the vehicle during the afternoon hours and had noticed nothing unusual. There had been no unusual issues with the vehicle during the prior drive, which had been a 5 minute drive to/from a local home supply store. There was collateral damage to the front of my house as a result of the heat from the fire, as well as damage to the driveway. If the vehicle had been parked in the garage it is resonable to assume that the house would have been destroyed.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/01/2024

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle began to shudder, and he decreased the speed. The contact drove to his residence. The next day the vehicle was driving as expected until it became hot and began to shudder again. The transmission was not shifting as designed. The contact checked underneath the vehicle but failed to locate an issue with the transmission. The rear differential was hot and burned his fingers, but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

STEERING,SUSPENSION — Filed 05/23/2024

I have a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 that I bought new in Oct of 2018 and it now has 15,756 miles on it and was still like new at the time of failure. On May 23rd I was driving the truck when the driver suspension suddenly had an structural failure (mostly the ball joint coming out of the control arm) causing the front right side of the suspension to collapse while driving. This caused the truck to go left of center into on coming traffic resulting in a traffic accident.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/11/2024

Hard changes with transmission like a car has hit you from behind. It has had a hit in the transmission changing gears since 15,000 miles but it has progressively gotten worse and at 67k it’s enough to knock you to change steering direction.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/10/2023

Both passenger and driver airbags located behind front seats/where Seatbelt is located blew during a collision, seatbelt locked us in during impact,the cab of the truck filled with white smoke and smelt like an electric fire during impact. problem will be confirmed by a collision center and insurance this week. There’s a lamp warning on the dash board that says there’s a safety warning.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/01/2023

8 speed transmission jerking, the torque convertor has been replaced 1 time already and having same issues as before. This time while in parking lot at store, was pulling into parking space, truck lundge forward during hard downshift hitting cart of person walking in front of truck. No damage and luckly barely hit the cart and not the person. I have also had the truck lunge forward when parking in my garage and hitting the garage wall in front. My truck is back at dealer again after hitting the cart in the parking lot. The 8 speed transmission issue from GM is a safety issue. My truck has already had first torque converter replaced and now having same issue with the new torque convertor

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/16/2019

The contact owns a 2018 GMC SIERRA. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, when another vehicle had collided with the contact's vehicle which resulted in the airbags not deploying. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained a head injury and did require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. The VIN was not available. Vehicle has been repaired.*JB

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/16/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HANDICAP SIGN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL KAY CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 601 OGDEN AVE, LISLE, IL 60532, (630) 968-2900) TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO HARD SHIFTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A TRANSMISSION RE-LEARN OF THE SOFTWARE WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE HARD SHIFTING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/23/2019

MY 2018 GMC SIERRA SLT'S BREAK PEDAL BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PRESS, AND I CAN HEAR SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE AIR COMING FROM THE PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS.THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL AND DAMAGE MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 10,000 MILES.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 05/01/2019

THE SIERRA SURGES FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND DRIVE. I BUMPED A VEHICLE TODAY, AND THE SURGE HAS BECOME AN ISSUE THIS WEEK AND THERE IS NOT EVEN 9,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE AFM IS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN V8 AND V4 MODE TOO. NONE OF THIS WAS AN ISSUE UNTIL RECENTLY. MY SPEAKERS ALSO VIBRATE LIKE A BLOWN SPEAKER ON HIGH DEFINITION RADIO, BUT NOT ON REGULAR RADIO STATIONS.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/15/2017

STRUCK A DEER WITH THE VEHICLE AT APPROX. 75MPH. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED AND THERE WAS NO SUDDEN DECELERATION. THE COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH BEARS A PLASTIC GMC LOGO THAT IS HEAVIER THAN THE REST OF THE MATERIAL BLEW EXACTLY ON THE CORNER OF THE G. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE SPLIT THE LOGO HIT MY WRIST LIKE A HAMMER CAUSING NERVE DAMAGE AND PERMANENTLY STAMPING THE GMC LOGO ON MY WRIST. I CURRENTLY POSSESS ALL DEPLOYED SRS COMPONENTS ALONG WITH THE ACM THAT WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. THE DAMAGE, ASIDE FROM THE SRS COMPONENTS, WAS ONLY TO THE BUMPER, GRILL, AND CONDENSER WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO THE CORE SUPPORT WHERE THE BUMPER MOUNTS (RADIATOR, FENDERS, AND HOOD WERE NOT IMPACTED). I QUESTION THE SAFETY OF THE WAY THE STEERING WHEEL SPLIT AS THE EDGE OF THE G HAS A SHARP EDGE THAT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SLIT MY WRIST OPEN. I ALSO QUESTION THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAG DUE TO NO SUDDEN DECELERATION AND THAT IF THE BAG HAD NOT BEEN DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO INJURY IN THIS LOSS. ALSO I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD AN ISSUE WHERE I STARTED THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST COLD DAY, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AND ADVISED ME TO SERVICE ALL SYSTEMS. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED AND THERE WAS NO WARNINGS PRESENT. AFTER THE LOSS AND REPAIRS I EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE BUT IT WOULD NOT RESOLVE BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THEY PULLED CODES AT THE DEALERSHIP AND PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE. IT WAS COLD DURING THE LOSS BUT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING SEVERAL HOURS AS I WAS DRIVING CROSS COUNTRY AT THE TIME.