2018 Gmc SIERRA DENALI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 17 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 23.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 23.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Steering: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 9; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11317267 · 2020-03-10 (March 10, 2020)
1-IT NEEDS TO APPLY THE BRAKE SO HARD TO MAKE IT STOP AT 100 KM/HR AND ABOVE.. 2-THERE IS A JERK ON DOWN '2ND TO 1ST "AND UP SHIFTING 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. 3-FRONT PARKING SENSORS SENSITIVITIES IS NOT ACCURATE .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11317267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11319221 · 2020-03-25 (March 25, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MURDOCK CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC LOCATED AT (1955 MAIN ST, LOGAN, UT 84341, [phone removed]) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE HEADLAMPS HOWEVER, THE HEADLAMPS WERE ALREADY ADJUSTED TO SPECS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN VISIBILITY WHILE SHIFTING FROM LOW BEAM TO HI BEAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366524 · 2020-10-26 (October 26, 2020)
ON THE MORNING OF OCT 26, 2020 @ 845AM... I WAS HEADING SOUTH ON 287 IN MANSFIELD TX. IT WAS RAINING HARD SO I WAS ONLY GOING 60 MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS GOING 55 OR SO. WHEN THE RAIN AND WIND PICKED UP, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ABRUPTLY HIT ITS BRAKES. THAT'S WHEN MY TRUCK BRAKES LOCKED AND I BEGAN SLIDING OR BEING PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE ON THE 2 LANE HIGHWAY. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR GOD AND ME, NOT PANICKING... I WOULD HAVE CRASHED! MY TRUCK FISH TAILED TWICE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT... I COULDN'T STOP.…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11728807 · 2026-04-02 (April 2, 2026)
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds over 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on three separate occasions and stalled twice while slowing down. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart each time, but on one occasion, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission, to…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11728807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11337730 · 2020-07-06 (July 6, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED (75MPH) THE STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS TRYING TO GO THRU A CURVE., I HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS AND FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN TO EXIT HIGHWAY. LUCKILY IT WAS ONLY A SLIGHT TURN I WAS TRYING TO NAVIGATE! IT THREW SERVICE CODE'C0475, THEY SAY IT'S THE STEERING GEAR! $2700 FIX I BELIEVE IT'S ELECTRONIC ERROR.
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11337730 at NHTSA ↗