YearToAvoid

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 33 steering complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 10% of its 321 total complaints, with 1 crash and 1 injury reported. Median mileage at failure is 15,600 miles. No steering-related recall is listed for this year.

Steering complaints
33
10% of 321
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
15,600 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the steering wheel pulling or turning to the left on its own at various speeds, sometimes strong enough to push the truck toward oncoming traffic.
  • Some describe the steering suddenly locking up completely while driving, including one case at highway speed that required towing.
  • Others report a loss of power steering assist, making the wheel very hard to turn, in one case at highway speed while negotiating a curve.
  • A few owners noticed the steering feel inconsistent, starting stiff with no power assist then suddenly over-assisting, which made the truck feel out of control.
  • One owner reported a front suspension ball joint separating from the control arm, causing the right front end to collapse while driving.

When 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 25, 2018, latest Aug 11, 2026.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2018Nov 2018Jan 2020May 2021Oct 2022Nov 2023May 2025Jun 2026
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2020 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Sierra 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20103 (1%)
  2. 201111 (3%)
  3. 201210 (7%)
  4. 20135 (3%)
  5. 2014162 (19%)
  6. 201588 (11%)
  7. 201644 (12%)
  8. 201728 (7%)
  9. 201833 (10%)
  10. 201949 (7%)
  11. 202037 (8%)
  12. 202133 (6%)
  13. 202213 (2%)
  14. 202312 (3%)
  15. 20247 (2%)
  16. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does NHTSA list for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA lists 33 steering complaints for the 2018 Sierra 1500, which is 10% of the 321 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for steering on the 2018 Sierra 1500.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2018 Sierra 1500?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for steering complaints is 15,600 miles.
Did steering problems cause any crashes or injuries in the 2018 Sierra 1500?
NHTSA data tied to steering complaints for this year includes 1 crash and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
How does the 2018 Sierra 1500 compare to other years for steering complaints?
The 2018 model's 33 steering complaints and 10% share are lower than 2014 (162 complaints, 19% share) and 2015 (88 complaints, 11% share), but higher than 2022 (13 complaints, 2%) and 2023 (12 complaints, 3%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.