Most common 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 3500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 3500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025, 2022. Compare all years →
2018 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls (6)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater.
Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear-tank fuel-pump module, inspect the front tank and, if necessary, replace the front tank, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2019.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. The front seat belt retractor assemblies were built with the incorrect torsion bar.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021.
What 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Brakes
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated after driving on a long downhill road at an undisclosed speed with his 2017 Highland Ridge 349 RV hooked to the vehicle, as he was reaching a leveling point and depressing the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that as he depressed the brake pedal further, the brake pedal overheated and would no longer respond properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was rated at 22,000-23,000 while the trailer was 14,300 pounds loaded maximum. The contact stated that the trailer currently weighed 11,000 pounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the braking system was operating properly. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
Driving on the freeway going approx 70 MPH and the ABS warning light, and Stabilitrak warning light suddenly turned on. I'm sure you can imagine how panicked I was going that fast on the freeway and having my brake warnings suddenly turn on. Especially with my entire family in the vehicle with me at the time. Could feel a difference when I was attempting to brake and exit the freeway. Had to apply tons of pressure to get the brake pedal to engage. The cruise control would no longer work, and the trailer brake monitoring system also began flashing. Truck has been to 2 GMC dealerships the ABS module was replaced made it approximately 2 miles and it came back on. Truck is currently waiting for another part to attempt to fix the problem. Truck has 86,000 miles on it.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 3500. While driving approximately 60 MPH and hauling a trailer, the ABS, service trailer brake, service power steering, and service stabilitrak warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The contact also stated that the failure occurred while not towing a trailer. The vehicle was taken to buster miles Chevrolet (1884 almon st, heflin, al 36264, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact was informed that the failure May be due to a wheel speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,068.
I was driving up hill the truck lost power died/shutdown so I had no power steering no power brakes we live on a country rural road. Had the truck towed to kendall Chevrolet in eugene oregon where it has been since November 2 with electrical issues that they are trying to pinpoint.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Sierra 3500 rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 3500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (3) and lights (2).
How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500, the most recent from October 10, 2024 (inflator). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.