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Your vehicleHome›GMC›Sierra› 2018
GMC · Large Pickup truck

2018 GMC Sierra

Hybrid Gas
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
14 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
46 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls3 critical 7
Complaints10 crash · 1 fire · 6 injured reported 322
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 20 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 GMC Sierra is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large pickup truck with 14 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD, is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 322 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

GMC Sierra — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
GMC Sierra · Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WDHybridRWD5.3L 8-cyl + 86V Li-Ion182420$3,350
Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WDHybrid4WD5.3L 8-cyl + 86V Li-Ion162118$3,700
Sierra C15 2WDGasRWD4.3L 6-cyl182420$3,350
Sierra C15 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162319$3,550
Sierra C15 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162319$3,550
Sierra K15 4WDGas4WD4.3L 6-cyl172219$3,550
Sierra C15 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl162218$3,700
Sierra K15 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162218$3,700
Sierra K15 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162218$3,700
Sierra C15 2WDGasRWD6.2L 8-cyl152117$4,850
Sierra C15 Cab Chassis 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl152017$3,950
Sierra K15 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl152017$4,850
Sierra K15 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl152017$3,950
Sierra K15 Cab Chassis 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl151917$3,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38944, 38948, 38945, 38986, 38987, 38949, 38985, 39360, 39404, 38988.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD, Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD, Sierra C15 2WD, Sierra K15 4WD3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Sierra C15 2WD, Sierra K15 4WD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Sierra C15 2WD, Sierra C15 Cab Chassis 2WD, Sierra K15 4WD, Sierra K15 Cab Chassis 4WD3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-III ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body stylePickup
Doors4
GVWR classClass 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders8
Displacement6.6 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Fuel Economy

FuelDiesel

Transmission

Drivetrain4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Denali, Fleet/Base, LTZ, SLE). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length201.2–235.4 in
Width (body, without mirrors)79.9 in
Height73.6–74.0 in
Wheelbase118.9–153.1 in
Track, front68.9 in
Track, rear67.7 in
Curb weight4,522–5,359 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear56/44 to 60/40

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 12 configurations: 1500 Crew Cab M/Box 2WD, 1500 Crew Cab M/Box 4X4, 1500 Crew Cab M/Box Denali, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 2WD, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box Denali …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2018 Sierra
Head to head vs the 2018 Ram 1500 Other years The 2025 Sierra Recalls GMC recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 GMC Sierra is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Air Bags

N262557310
4,315 vehicles 18% reported repaired built Nov 11, 2017 – Oct 24, 2018
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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V325000 reported May 21, 2026 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Air Bags

N262549710
2,819 vehicles 35% reported repaired built Oct 22, 2018 – Nov 13, 2018
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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V166000 reported Mar 19, 2026 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

N252513060
1,658 vehicles 46% reported repaired built Sep 10, 2018 – Sep 18, 2018
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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V432000 reported Jun 26, 2025 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Air Bags

N242474500
2,061 vehicles 54% reported repaired
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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V756000 reported Oct 10, 2024 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

N202300860
14,620 vehicles 93% reported repaired
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. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V603000 reported Oct 1, 2020 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

N192261050
652,967 vehicles 80% reported repaired built Jan 29, 2013 – Dec 5, 2018
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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V761000 reported Oct 24, 2019 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

N192268490
3,456,719 vehicles 75% reported repaired built Jan 29, 2013 – Aug 31, 2017
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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V645000 reported Sep 6, 2019 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Sierra

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. GMC publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →GMC’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 GMC Sierra, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 GMC Sierra

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Sierra →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
322complaints filed

10 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

17 per 10,000 built · GMC reported 185,426 Sierra built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2018: 18 · 2019: 31 · 2020: 38 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 46 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 40 · 2025: 65 · 2026: 31

Most-cited components

Power Train → 132
Engine → 78
Service Brakes 48
Electrical System 43
Steering 33
Unspecified 25

In depth: transmission and drivetrain problems → · engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds over 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on three separate occasions and stalled twice while slowing down. There was no warning light illuminated.
Power Train at 87,000 miles Apr 2, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11728807
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the passenger’s side running board detached from the vehicle causing minor damages to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.
Structure at 35,000 miles Jun 29, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11529615
Certain 2018 Gmc Sierra 1500 denalis were issued a recall for the "electronic brake control module". For my VIN, it doesn't show that that issue needs to be fixed (I just purchased this truck last week), but it indeed does. When coasting at a low speed on a small hill, brakes almost feel non existent.
Service Brakes at 73,890 miles Apr 14, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11408155
While driving highway speed (75mph) the steering went out as I was trying to go thru a curve., I had to use both hands and force the wheel to turn to exit highway. Luckily it was only a slight turn I was trying to navigate! It threw service code'c0475, they say it's the steering gear! $2700 fix I believe it's electronic error
Steering at 47,000 miles Jul 6, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11337730
The contact owns a 2018 Gmc Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlamps failed to adequately illuminate the roadway. The contact stated that there was no improvement in visibility while shifting from low beam to hi beam. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Exterior Lighting at 4,000 miles Mar 25, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11319221
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while the vehicle was parked, the running boards unexpectedly lowered. Additionally, there was oil leaking from the vehicle, and the check engine warning light was illuminated.
Engine at 107,000 miles Mar 11, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11723657

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by GMC itself: 41 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 killed, 52 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 22 per 100,000 built. Every Sierra model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 35k

miles, typically

Half the 132 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 11,000 and 64,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 30
10k–20k 15
20k–30k 16
30k–40k 13
40k–50k 11
50k–60k 7
60k–70k 9
70k–80k 6
80k–90k 5
90k–100k 5
100k–150k 12
150k + 3

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Power Train5930,0000.87×
Engine2660,1501.2×
Service Brakes1720,3050.71×
Steering1416,5001.14×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2018-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2018–2022 model years the GMC Sierra ranks 51 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 1.37× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 34,500 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
HYBRID PU/CC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
PU/CC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
PU/CC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
PU/EC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
PU/RC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
PU/RC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every GM warranty extension (33) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 1,904
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 1894 service bulletins, 6 service campaigns, 2 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Engine, Electrical System, Power Train, Fuel/Propulsion System.

  • PIT5698F Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
  • PIP5700H Service bulletin
    2026-09-21 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
  • PIP4902W Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIT5680B Service bulletin
    2026-07-23 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water into the door jam/sill area.
  • PIT5099J Service bulletin
    2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
  • PI to help diagnose A/C concern
  • PIT5509N Service bulletin
    2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
  • PIT5509M Service bulletin
    2026-05-14 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
  • PIT3271Q Service bulletin
    2026-04-01 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0300
P0300 on GMC →		Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →17 bulletins
B3055
B3055 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →11 bulletins
B3060
B3060 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →11 bulletins
B3935
B3935 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →11 bulletins
C1114
C1114 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →11 bulletins
P0308
P0308 on GMC →		Cylinder 8 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →9 bulletins · 1 owner report
P050D
P050D on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P2463
P2463 on GMC →		Soot has built up in the diesel particulate filter beyond the allowed limit.Engine9 bulletins
C0710
C0710 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electronic Stability Control7 bulletins
U0029
U0029 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →6 bulletins
U0151
U0151 on GMC →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →6 bulletins
P1682Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →5 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 GMC Sierra failed the emissions check on 8.1% of first inspections — higher than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 8.1%

failed emissions

2,598 initial inspections of 2,537 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 SierraEvery 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check8.1%3.0%2,597
Failed the safety inspection1.3%1.9%2,598
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.04%0.22%2,598
Miles driven a year11,06710,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer91,47182,833odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Compare the 2018 Sierra with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2018 Ram 1500 · Large Pickup truck · grade FSierra +17.8

Sierra by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 D 5 150 Do not drive2025 B 2 133 390 mi2024 C 4 377 25 mpg2023 B 3 496 26 mpg2022 F 6 598 26 mpg2021 F 7 596 26 mpg2020 F 12 492 26 mpg2019 F 10 684 21 mpg2018 this page F 7 322 20 mpg2017 D 6 431 20 mpg2016 F 10 379 Do not drive

Common questions about the 2018 Sierra

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 GMC Sierra have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 GMC Sierra, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 26V325000, covering Air Bags. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 GMC Sierra?

NHTSA gave the 2018 GMC Sierra 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (46/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 GMC Sierra?

Across the 14 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 GMC Sierra, the best EPA combined figure is 20 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 GMC Sierra?

Transport Canada measured it at 201.2–235.4 in long, 79.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 73.6–74.0 in tall, on a 118.9–153.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,522–5,359 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 GMC Sierra?

Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Sierra, most often about power train, engine, service brakes. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 GMC Sierra?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 GMC Sierra runs 3 to 5 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 GMC Sierra?

The manufacturer has filed 1904 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 GMC Sierra, most often covering equipment, engine, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 GMC Sierra do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 GMC Sierra failed the emissions check on 8.1% of first inspections — higher than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2018 GMC Sierra better than the 2018 Ram 1500?

The GMC Sierra wins clearly, 85 to 67.2, on safety, fuel & range. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2018 GMC Sierra against the 2018 Ram 1500 — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations14 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates14 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls7NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints322NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings7 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins1904NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA8 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2018 GMC Sierra vs 2018 Ram 1500 Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2025 Sierra The Sierra model year with the cleanest record on file — grade B, 2 recalls.Recalls Every GMC recall on file All campaigns filed against GMC vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Sierra by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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