general problems of the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 - part 2

105 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 based on all problems reported for the 2018 Sierra 1500.

36 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2024

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was violently shaking. While at a stop, the vehicle slammed the brake pedal, and the steering wheel was shaking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the transmission. The mechanic test drove the vehicle, and the vehicle was shuddering and violently shaking, and the transmission was hard shifting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

37 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2024

Transmission started to shutter at 24000 miles. Dealer said couldn’t find anything. Abs and stabilitrack light came on at about 40,000 miles off and on. Both these problems could result in a crash. On freeway or streets. The display information/ radio has a mind of its own. Connects to any phone number or start the on star call and etc. It takes your attention off the road and can result in a crash.

38 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 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.

39 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2024

My 2018 GMC 1500 transmission making noise grinding. It only has 75799 miles on it. I just was told by laura GMC that my transmission needs replacing. I think gm should cover that. Dealer charging 7800. 00 to replace it. That's not right the truck doesn't have that many miles on it. Please help.

40 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/23/2024

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop light and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that several unknown parts were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

41 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2024

Drive train:the truck suddenly lurches forward as I'm accelerating and after I've stopped. It's very scary to stop behind a vehicle and suddenly lurch forward. Thankfully, I don't stop too close to another vehicle. The truck also shudders and experiences significant delays in acceleration after coming to a stop and going again. Automatic emergency braking: the automatic emergency braking system spontaneously brakes as I'm driving when there is nothing in front of me. Thankfully, nobody has been following behind me when this happens yet. I had to turn the automatic braking system off in order to avoid being hit.

42 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 02/26/2024

At 66,963 miles my transmission failed while driving. The check engine light came on and the car would not shift out of first gear. The car was towed into gilchrist GMC in tacoma wa. And I was informed I needed a transmission replacement, cost of $7552. 24. Come to find out there is a class action lawsuit currently filed for gm owners of this transmission, claiming some 800,000 gm products contain a knowingly faulty transmission. A recall should be in place being that nearly a million vehicles are affected by this.

43 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2024

2018 GMC seirra 1500 8 speed transmission. Making unsafe conditions while driving transmission tends to make hard shifts, jerks, hesitation when moved into gear, gets worse when stopping momentarily at stop lights and then trying to accelerate vehicle will not move. Makes hard shift and jerks then will accelerate in an unsafe manner.

44 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/27/2023

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the transmission was repaired under warranty. The contact stated that a year after the repair was completed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,600.

45 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/21/2023

I have a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, it is over 5 years. So we all know our warranties are either expired and meaning out of pocket expenses will come. I mainly drive back and forth to work so my vehicle only 43,924 miles to be exact. So tell me why gm allows us to purchase a vehicle with defect oil in the transmission knowing the torque converter will start shuttering causing some of us to purchase a new transmission and if we lucky a transmission flush. So yes I took it to the dealership causing me over $850 to have a diagnosis, computer hook up, and a transmission oil flushed and replaced. I was told this is an 45000 miles issue and it's not considered a safety issue. Personally, if I didn't know better I could had gotten rear ended and yes this should be a safety issue. Our family would like this issue addressed and be reimbursed for my expenses. Thank you!.

46 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/17/2023

My 2018 sierra began experiencing severe shuddering while driving down the road. The dealer said it was caused by moisture getting into the transmission fluid and contaminating it. In my ownership of dozens of vehicle's this has never happened before. This formerly inexpensive minor fluid change requirement morphed into a $618. 00 major surgery just to fix a problem that should have never occured. If the fluid was contaminated by moisture as the dealer explained, it's a design defect which caused it and nothing I have ever done. I am still unsure as to if the transmission or torque converter may be damaged. The manufacturer should be liable for the cost to fix this not me!.

47 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/11/2023

The vehicle steering wheel shudders at speeds from 40-55mph. The steering wheel shudders at 2-second intervals and is constant between those speeds. At first, I thought it might be one of the safety systems. It is not. This is unsafe and gm should be held responsible.

48 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2023

Transmission shudder at different speeds while driving.

49 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2023

Repeated transmission issues with the 8 speed transmission due to the malfunctioning valve body. This has caused major safety issues and nearly killed my family with the vehicle locked up and wouldn’t shift on the interstate. The dealership did a warranty repair on the torque converter which made the symptoms slightly better until the vehicle was no longer covered by warranty, at which time all symptoms came back. Gm knows their 8 speed transmission has an issue and hasn’t provided a solution. Now, due to the faulty valve body, I have to have my entire transmission replaced for $8000.

50 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/23/2023

On approximately July 23, 2023, I noticed the vehicle transmission shifting hard from 1st to 2nd gear and then during the following week, this began to occur every time I drove the vehicle. There were no warning indicators appearing on the vehicle for this problem during vehicle operation. Then at higher steady speeds, the engine rpms began to suddenly and intermittently surge slightly higher, and the steering wheel would shudder for a few moments. This began to occur more frequently and I became concerned that the transmission would catastrophically fail, causing a crash and/or personal injury. At that point I called a local dealer to make an appointment for a transmission oil change and inspection. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on August 21, 2023 and they confirmed that there was a problem with the transmission, though at this time final diagnosis is pending. To my knowledge, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others since I took it to the dealership on August 21, 2023.

51 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/25/2023

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while accelerating from a traffic light, the vehicle started hesitating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

52 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/16/2023

Transmission failure - the gm manufactured torque converter on my truck failed to cause the transmission to fail. The internet is rife with stories of the failure of these transmissions on 2018 and 2019 GMC and chevy trucks.

53 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2023

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty; however, the part needed to fix the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,477.

54 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 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.

55 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/23/2023

Noticed ongoing vibration sounds like you are running over rumble lines on road.

56 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/08/2023

When the transmission is making changes, there is a shaking noise.

57 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2022

Experienced heavy vibration or shudder through transmission once fluid got to around 145 degrees. Also transmission has rough shift on the first shift of a drive cycle. When I started to research I found many of the same issues reported with 8 speed transmissions. I’ve also read about the issues with the lifters not working for the active fuel management system though I haven’t experienced that yet. The replaced my transmission fluid at the dealership under the powertrain warranty. This issue showed up at around 35,000 miles, so I am very worried about the safety and reliability of this engine and transmission.

58 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2022

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle was shaking while shifting gears. The contact stated while shifting from four cylinders to eight cylinders, the rear-end was shaking violently. The hood latch warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the tires needed to be replaced. The tires were replaced three times however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

59 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/22/2022

Electrical system turns off power steering while driving dashboard lights up like a christmas tree service track service brake stability had this service back in 2022 August the problems have resurfaced there are no recalls have spent lots of money and still failing spent almost a year at the dealership fast forward to years later the same problem is occurring I am running out of money.

60 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/10/2022

Transmission system, hard shifts and shaking causing vehicle to down shift hard and throw itself forward almost causing an accident when coming to a stop, when vehicle was taken into service they did not diagnose the vehicle for this problem, while driving vehicle shifted down so hard causing vehicle to be stuck in only 1st gear and would not shift out of 1st gear.

61 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/12/2022

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was slipping and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60-65 mph, the vehicle started vibrating and shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her nearby destination. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer liberty Chevrolet (105 cooley way, villa rica, GA 30180) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to a third dealer, prince Chevrolet Buick GMC of albany (2701 ledo rd, albany, GA 31707) where it was diagnosed that passenger's side lifters needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the warranty would cover a portion of the cost of the repair and she was responsible for the balance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,267.

62 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2022

I have a 2018 GMC sierra denali. I started having problems with the 8-speed transmission at 18,000 miles. The vehicle has been to the dealership for a transmission fluid flush, a transmission relearn, a 5-week valve body replacement, two more trips to the dealership where the truck did not malfunction for them. I have had issues with an air leak on the driver side front door as well. That issue has not been resolved as well. I spent over $60,000 for the truck and have had nothing but problems. I have brought it to general motors attention and all I would do is get a run around and no results. I was told that there is nothing more that they can do. I am beside myself and just sick as I do not know what to do. I bought a brand new vehicle in order to not have problems compared to a used one.

63 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/28/2022

Transmission slams into gear in drive and reverse while driving it will slam into gear. And occasionally at speeds under 5 going up a hill it will have no power and struggle. I have 59000 miles on it last year around 53000 miles they did a transmission flush and that fixed it for about 9 months. Just took it back in they reprogrammed the transmission and it no longer slams in drive and reverse but still knocks back-and-forth while driving.

64 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2022

Leak detected in the engine oil cooling lines, requiring replacement.

65 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2022

I was driving down the highway when my vehicle loss control of operation and check engine light came on. After taking it to the GMC dealership it was determined to be a bad lifter in the motor. The garage had to take the motor completely apart to repair a bent rod and cylinder in the motor. There are numerous reports and a pending class action lawsuit concerning this device in the GMC sierra trucks and other GMC vehicles. The lifters in the cylinder of this motor are designed to switch the engine from v4 to v6 to save on gasoline. My vehicle has been repaired by the GMC garage but I've seen reports of this problem repeatedly happening in these vehicles and it causes me great concern because if there is a lot of traffic in the area I could get hit or cause an accident by not being able to operate the truck. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others is put at risk because the sudden equipment breakdown could cause an accident. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. No other parties have inspected the vehicle. No warning lamps went off prior to this happening and the vehicle is only a 2018 and only has 36,000 miles on it.

66 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/15/2022

The contact owns a 2018 GMC sierra ld . The contact stated the vehicle experienced jerking and shaking. The contact also stated when the accelerator pedal was applied, the vehicle made a loud noise and lunged. There was no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a transmission flush and an alignment was performed. However, the contact stated the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

67 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 02/04/2022

I was stopped at a fast food drive thru and then I tried to go to the next window and the truck wouldn’t move at all it will just rev so I put it in parked turned off the truck and turn it back on put it on drive and was able to move for like 40 ft then it did it again so I had it towed to my home.

68 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/17/2022

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced shifting while shifting into lower gear, causing the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000.

69 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2021

During down shifting in lower gears while reducing speed , transmission makes a loud noise followed by vehicle hard lounging forward . Occurance is intermittent and unpredictable . In city traffic this has potential to cause an accident because vehicle lounges forward when speed is reduced . Vehicle has 18900 miles . Made in 2017 .

70 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/06/2021

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that an unknown part was loose. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there abnormal loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle, at the transmission location. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle started to decelerate unintendedly. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the brake pedal. The contact pulled to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down. The brakes locked-up unexpectedly. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the entire braking system had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.



Sierra 1500 Service Bulletins
Sierra 1500 Safety Recalls
Sierra 1500 Defect Investigations