Model year 2018 · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD

2018 GMC Sierra: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 GMC Sierra at 17–20 mpg combined across 14 versions. NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 322 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

17–20

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as SIERRA 1500, SIERRA DENALI.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a GMC dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 GMC Sierra recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 7 safety recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra, newest first.

Air bags

NHTSA 26V325000 Reported May 21, 2026

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N262557310)
Units affected: 4,315 (estimate)
Problem: General 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 sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262557310. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V166.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags

NHTSA 26V166000 Reported Mar 19, 2026

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N262549710)
Units affected: 2,819 (estimate)
Problem: General 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 inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262549710. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags

NHTSA 25V432000 Reported Jun 26, 2025

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N252513060)
Units affected: 1,658 (estimate)
Problem: General 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 inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases 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 July 23, 2025. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252513060.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Side/window: Curtain: Inflator

NHTSA 24V756000 Reported Oct 10, 2024

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N242474500)
Units affected: 2,061 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic: Power assist: Vacuum

NHTSA 20V603000 Reported Oct 1, 2020

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N202300860)
Units affected: 14,620 (estimate)
Problem: General 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 assist.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes and 2 more components

NHTSA 19V761000 Reported Oct 24, 2019

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N192261050)
Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Wheel speed sensor/tone ring; Electronic stability control (ESC)
Units affected: 652,967 (estimate)
Problem: General 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 traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic: Power assist: Vacuum

NHTSA 19V645000 Reported Sep 6, 2019

Filed by: General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N192268490)
Units affected: 3,456,719 (estimate)
Problem: General 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.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 GMC Sierra fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 GMC Sierra EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl hybrid	Automatic 8-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	18/24/20 mpg	$3,350	447
Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl hybrid	Automatic 8-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/21/18 mpg	$3,700	490
Sierra C15 2WD	4.3L 6-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	18/24/20 mpg	$3,350	448
Sierra C15 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/22/18 mpg	$3,700	495
Sierra C15 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/23/19 mpg	$3,550	475
Sierra C15 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	16/23/19 mpg	$3,550	475
Sierra C15 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Premium	15/21/17 mpg	$4,850	517
Sierra C15 Cab Chassis 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/20/17 mpg	$3,950	523
Sierra K15 4WD	4.3L 6-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	17/22/19 mpg	$3,550	474
Sierra K15 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/20/17 mpg	$3,950	522
Sierra K15 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	16/22/18 mpg	$3,700	489
Sierra K15 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl ffv	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Gasoline or E85 / E85	16/22/18 mpg	$3,700	489
Sierra K15 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl	Automatic 8-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Premium	15/20/17 mpg	$4,850	524
Sierra K15 Cab Chassis 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	Automatic 6-spd	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	15/19/17 mpg	$3,950	523

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 GMC Sierra crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 GMC Sierra NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid PU/CC RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.9%	Optional
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 4WD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.4%	Optional
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.9%	Optional
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC 4WD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.9%	Optional
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.4%	Optional
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC 4WD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.4%	Optional
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.9%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 GMC Sierra owner complaints

Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Sierra, most recently on Oct 9, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 GMC Sierra complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Power train	131
Engine	72
Service brakes	44
Electrical system	41
Steering	33
Unknown or other	26
Suspension	12
Fuel/propulsion system	10
Structure: Body	9
Air bags	8

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other GMC Sierra model years

GMC Sierra by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2026 Sierra	15–25 mpg · 64–68 MPGe	5	152	5/5
2025 Sierra	15–26 mpg · 64 MPGe	2	132	5/5
2024 Sierra	15–25 mpg	4	380	5/5
2023 Sierra	15–26 mpg	3	497	5/5
2022 Sierra	14–26 mpg	6	598	5/5
2021 Sierra	14–26 mpg	7	596	5/5
2020 Sierra	15–26 mpg	12	494	5/5
2019 Sierra	15–21 mpg	10	684	5/5
2017 Sierra	17–20 mpg	6	431	5/5
2016 Sierra	17–20 mpg	10	379	5/5
2015 Sierra	17–20 mpg	15	792	5/5

All GMC Sierra years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 GMC models

2018 GMC Acadia 2018 GMC Canyon 2018 GMC Terrain 2018 GMC Yukon

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with GMC.