2018 GMC Savana Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2018 GMC Savana has a complaint index of 74, ranking 6th worst among 20 model years, with 3 complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. Brakes, engine, lane departure, and suspension each account for one reported issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 74/100
- #6 of 20 Savana years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2018 GMC Savana problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes1 (33%)
- Engine1 (33%)
- Lane Departure1 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes failed to respond at low speed while approaching a toll booth, resulting in a rear-end crash.
- Front end developed a sudden, unpredictable shaking described as a "death wobble," triggered while braking on steep grades or on sloped and hilly roads.
- Engine stalled at a traffic light with the oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not restart after several attempts, requiring a tow.
2018 GMC Savana recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V247000Apr 6, 2023Electrical System150,830 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
- NHTSA 21V115000Feb 25, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires33,838 vehicles
Tires
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
- NHTSA 19V428000Jun 11, 2019Other325 vehicles
Equipment
Unicell Body Company Inc. (Unicell) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna, 2018-2019 Hino 155, Ford Econoline and Transit and Isuzu NPR, and 2018 Ram ProMaster-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Unicell will work with ASA Electronics to notify owners and offer a remedy, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service 1-800-384-4400 or Unicell at 1-716-853-8628.
2018 compared with other Savana years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 GMC Savana reliable?
- NHTSA lists 3 complaints and 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 GMC Savana, giving it a complaint index of 74 and a rank of 6th worst out of 20 model years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Savana?
- Owner complaints on file with NHTSA are spread evenly across brakes, engine, lane departure, and suspension, wheels & tires, with one complaint reported in each area.
- Does the 2018 GMC Savana have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 GMC Savana, covering the electrical system, suspension/wheels/tires, visibility/wipers, and other components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Savana compare to other model years?
- The 2018 Savana's complaint index of 74 is lower than the 2017 (100) and 2016 (89) model years, which are rated Avoid, but higher than years like 2014 (16) and 2011 (21).
- At what mileage did 2018 Savana owners report problems?
- The median mileage at failure across reported issues was 13,000 miles, though individual complaints ranged from 8,000 miles for a brake failure to 72,634 miles for an engine stall.