2018 Gmc SIERRA 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
53,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 14 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 50.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Service Brakes: 6; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 7 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 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11075573 · 2018-03-01 (March 1, 2018)
STEERING WHEEL SHAKING FROM 70MPH TO 78 MPH HIGHWAY DRIVING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11075573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081400 · 2018-03-26 (March 26, 2018)
HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY TRUCK FLICKER SIGNIFICANTLY, AND DIM AND BRIGHTEN, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON BUMPY SURFACES. THIS IS BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH 2500 MILES ON IT. I PAID EXTRA FOR THE ALL TERRAIN VERSION. GMC'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO ME IS THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR HID HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER ON/OFF, AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11174779 · 2019-02-06 (February 6, 2019)
SHAKING OR FLICKERING, HEADLIGHTS WHEN DRIVEN ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES FLICKER OR SHAKE LIKE BLINKING YOU'RE EYES REAL FAST VERY DISTRACTING FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS W.S.P. SAID IT IS A DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT ISSUE SEND COMPLAINT TO A.G. WA. A.G. IDA. IDAHO ALSO SEND COMPLAINT TO B.B.B. AND N.H.T.S.A. HAD TRUCK IN 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR FOUND PROBLEM BULLETIN NUMBER 18 -NA-001 DOC. ID. 4924668 COMPLAINT TO GMC TALKED WITH 5 TIMES CLOSED MY COMPLAINT 02-06-2019 THERE IS NO FIX FOR THESE HEADLIGHTS. BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW 10-17-18 PROBLEM WAS NOTICED…
Owner-reported narrative. 56 miles reported. Look up ODI 11174779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11265682 · 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V328000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ROYAL MOORE BUICK GMC (1380 SE RIVER RD, HILLSBORO, OR 97123, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11265682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11278880 · 2019-11-08 (November 8, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND HAULING A TRAILER, THE ABS, SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE, SERVICE POWER STEERING, AND SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE NOT TOWING A TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUSTER MILES CHEVROLET (1884 ALMON ST, HEFLIN, AL 36264, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,068 miles reported. Look up ODI 11278880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11281407 · 2019-11-20 (November 20, 2019)
I WAS DRIVING UP HILL THE TRUCK LOST POWER DIED/SHUTDOWN SO I HAD NO POWER STEERING NO POWER BRAKES WE LIVE ON A COUNTRY RURAL ROAD. HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO KENDALL CHEVROLET IN EUGENE OREGON WHERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE NOVEMBER 2 WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO PINPOINT.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11321259 · 2020-04-15 (April 15, 2020)
APRIL 9TH 2020 I WAS OPERATING MY VEHICLE A 2018 GMC SIERRA 3500 DENALI EQUIPPED WITH THE DIESEL PACKAGE. I WAS TOWING A BOBCAT SKID STEER ON A TRAILER WITH A TOTAL WEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 4300LBS. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN I ENCOUNTERED A RED LIGHT. WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS NORMAL. THEY INITAILLAY GRABBED AND SLOW MY TRAVEL TO ABOUT 40 MPH. THEN OUT OF WHAT SEEMED NOWHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL RAPIDLY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE FREEWHEELED THROUGH THE LIGHT. I ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO EASE OFF THE PEDA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11321259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11458637 · 2022-03-28 (March 28, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated after driving on a long downhill road at an undisclosed speed with his 2017 Highland Ridge 349 RV hooked to the vehicle, as he was reaching a leveling point and depressing the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that as he depressed the brake pedal further, the brake pedal overheated and would no longer respond properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was rated at 22,000-23,000 while the trailer was 14,300 pounds loaded maxim…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11458637 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 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 ↗19V088000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2019-02-07 (February 7, 2019)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Consequence: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear-tank fuel-pump module, inspect the front tank and, if necessary, replace the front tank, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2019. GM's number for this recall is N182204190.
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 ↗