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2018 GMC Sierra: Recalls and Reported Problems

Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.

By VIN Lookup Research DeskPublished 2026-08-27Reviewed 2026-09-11United States
NHTSA dataModel-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you.

Two identical Sierras can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.

Direct answer

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra, alongside 300 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about power train. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.

2018 GMC Sierra at a glance

7NHTSA safety recallsCampaigns covering this model year
300Owner complaintsFiled with NHTSA, unverified

What owners report most

These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Sierra. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.

Most-reported systems, 2018 GMC Sierra (NHTSA complaints)
Vehicle systemComplaints
Power Train128
Engine65
Electrical System43
Service Brakes40
Steering30
Unknown Or Other25

Recall campaigns for the 2018 GMC Sierra

Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.

NHTSA recall campaigns recorded for the 2018 GMC Sierra
CampaignComponentIssue
26V325000AIR BAGSGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator …
26V166000AIR BAGSGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the infl…
25V432000AIR BAGSGeneral Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inf…
24V756000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATORGeneral 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 …
20V603000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake as…
19V761000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RINGGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is tr…
19V645000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUMGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

How to check one specific Sierra

  1. Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
  2. Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
  3. Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
  4. Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
  5. Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.

What this data cannot tell you

  • Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
  • Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
  • How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
  • Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Evidence

Primary sources behind this page

Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.

  1. Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  2. NHTSA Recalls APINational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  3. NHTSA Complaints DatabaseNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  4. Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Quick answers

2018 GMC Sierra questions

How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Sierra have?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 2018 GMC Sierra as of 2026-09-11. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.

What are the most common 2018 GMC Sierra problems?

Owners most often report power train, engine, electrical system issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.

Are GMC recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.

Can I check recalls on a specific 2018 GMC Sierra VIN?

Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.