2018 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 Sierra 2500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 has a complaint index of 13, the second-lowest among 16 model years tracked, and ranks 14th worst (i.e., near the best). NHTSA lists 35 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 fires, with Electrical System issues the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 35
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (29%)
- Other9 (26%)
- Engine8 (23%)
- Fuel System6 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the console area catching fire while the truck was parked and off, requiring fire department response.
- Some describe a thermal event near the rear defroster wiring that produced smoke and a burning smell.
- Headlights are reported to shake or vibrate over bumps in the road, which drivers call distracting.
- Owners describe the engine shutting down without warning while driving at highway speed, causing loss of steering assist.
- One owner reports the truck rolling downhill while in park with the key removed.
- Tires are reported to develop sidewall bubbling, including on the unused spare.
2018 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V756000Oct 10, 2024Airbags2,061 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
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.
- NHTSA 23V047000Feb 2, 2023Fuel System22,132 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.
- NHTSA 21V496000Jul 1, 2021Other338,020 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.
2018 compared with other Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Sierra 2500 has a complaint index of 13, one of the lowest scores among the 16 model years tracked, and earns a Best verdict relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists 35 complaints for 2018, led by the Electrical System (29% of complaints, including 2 fires), followed by Engine (23%) and Fuel System (17%) issues.
- Does the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Sierra 2500, covering airbags, the fuel system, engine block heaters, and front seat belt retractors.
- How does the 2018 Sierra 2500 compare to other years?
- The 2018 model ranks 14th worst out of 16 years by complaint index (13), making it one of the better years compared to years like 2024 (complaint index 100) and 2022 (87), which carry Avoid verdicts.