2018 GMC Sierra 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 has a complaint index of 30, ranking 15th out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It logged 14 complaints and 6 recalls, with brakes as the top problem area at 43% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #15 of 21 Sierra 3500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 14
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes6 (43%)
- Electrical System4 (29%)
- Steering3 (21%)
- Engine1 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
- Fuel System1 (7%)
- HVAC1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe losing braking assistance while towing, with ABS, service trailer brake, and stabilitrak warnings lighting up together at highway speeds around 60 mph.
- Some report the brake pedal grabbing then failing to fully slow the truck on long downhill grades while towing heavy trailers.
- HID headlights are reported to flicker, dim, or brighten when driving over bumpy roads, starting as early as very low mileage.
- One owner reported the truck losing power steering and brakes after the engine died while driving uphill, with electrical issues later diagnosed by a dealer.
- A defrost system was reported to activate on its own while parked, followed by the rear window shattering from heat.
- An owner reported the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly at speed due to a fuel system issue tied to a separate recall campaign not applied to their VIN.
2018 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls
6 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 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Sierra 3500 a complaint index of 30 and a Good verdict, ranking 15th out of 21 model years based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the main problems with the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500?
- Brakes account for 43% of complaints (6 of 14), followed by electrical system issues at 29% (4 complaints) and steering at 21% (3 complaints).
- Does the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Sierra 3500, covering airbags, fuel system components, engine block heaters, and seat belt retractors, with none marked do-not-drive.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2018 Sierra 3500?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 53,800 miles, though brake and steering complaints center around 37,034 miles.
- How does the 2018 Sierra 3500 compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 30, the 2018 model ranks better than years like 2020 (index 95) and 2024 (index 100), which carry Avoid verdicts.