2018 Gmc SIERRA 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
10,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 35 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 8.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.7% |
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 | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Equipment | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
Engine: 8; Electrical System: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Equipment: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Power Train: 2; Tires: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 21 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 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11112033 · 2018-07-17 (July 17, 2018)
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR BRAND NEW DENALI WHICH HAS ONLY 3500 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN CROSSING A HIGHWAY WITH 55 MILES PER HOUR POSTING AND MY DAUGTHER OF 8 YEARS OLD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. THE ENGINE AS I SAID COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR WARNING AND MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. IT STOPPED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BY MIRACLE AND ONSTAR WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST GMAC DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY. THEN IT ALSO BLEW S…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119531 · 2018-08-13 (August 13, 2018)
WHILE THE TRUCK WAS UNATTENDED, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED BY A PASSER-BY WHO CALLED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT BROKE A WINDOW FOR ACCESS, EXTINGUISHED FIRE. HAULED VEHICLE AWAY FOR SAFEKEEPING. HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE AT A CONDO COMPLEX, VEHICLE PARKED FOR THE EVENING. HEAT INTENSITY AND MELTED PLASTIC INDICATED THAT FIRE OCCURRED IN CONSOLE AREA. VEHICLE WAS OFF, WE WERE ASLEEP, NOBODY HAD ACCESS TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. A PHONE CHARGER WAS PLUGGED IN, POSSIBLY ANOTHER CHARGER AS WELL.WE CONTACTED GM TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM. IT WAS DENIED,…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11140670 · 2018-10-16 (October 16, 2018)
HEADLIGHTS SHAKE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN HIGHWAY. ITS DISTRACTING AND IRRITATING AND TAKES YOUR ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENS.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151083 · 2018-11-12 (November 12, 2018)
TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING DOWNHILL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE KEYS OUT OF TGE IGNITION. I WAS REMOVING A CHILD SEAT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT AT THE TIME. SPOUSE WAS ABLE TO HURRIEDLY JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE AND APPLY THE BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11204045 · 2019-04-26 (April 26, 2019)
HID HEADLIGHTS SHAKE WHEN HITTING THE SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD. GM SAYS IT'S NORMAL AND REFUSES TO TRY TO FIX.
Owner-reported narrative. 115 miles reported. Look up ODI 11204045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252971 · 2019-09-03 (September 3, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 2500 EQUIPPED WITH ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TRANSFORCE H/T TIRES, SIZE: 245/75/R17 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL BUBBLING. THE UNUSED SPARE TIRE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIFFIN MOTOR COMPANY (2500 WEST ROOSEVELT BLVD, MONROE, NC) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE TIRES WERE EXAMINED AT THE FIRESTONE TIRE CENTER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256119 · 2019-09-17 (September 17, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING 30-50 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,641. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,641 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11286375 · 2019-12-02 (December 2, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. JONES BUICK GMC OF LANCASTER (1335 MANHEIM PIKE, LANCASTER, PA 17601, [phone removed]), TURNER BUICK GMC (612 E MAIN ST, NEW HOLLAND, PA 17557, [phone removed]) AND KEIM CHEVROLET INC (3265 LINCOLN HWY E, PARADISE, PA 17562, [phone removed]) WERE CONTACTED AND CO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11286375 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V567000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 2017-09-14 (September 14, 2017)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. The front seat belt retractor assemblies were built with the incorrect torsion bar. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's numbers for this recall are 17368, 17375, and 17376.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V328000 · Engine
Reported: 2019-04-25 (April 25, 2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.
Consequence: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V496000 · Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater
Reported: 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V047000 · Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2023-02-02 (February 2, 2023)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V756000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator
Reported: 2024-10-10 (October 10, 2024)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗