10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,816 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

May 302024

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased my Sierra in 2021 and 2 weeks after purchase I got a warning for service stabilitrk and another for trailer brake system. This is very very annoying and also has my abs light on. My next issue is a code u510 for active grille shutter assembly. Please fix these issues as they are very common and unsafe. Not to mention as much ad I paid for this truck.

- Falmouth, KY, USA

problem #34

Apr 182024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Transmission started to shutter at 24000 miles. Dealer said couldn-??t find anything. ABS and Stabilitrack light came on at about 40,000 miles off and on. Both these problems could result in a crash. On freeway or streets. The display information/ radio has a mind of its own. Connects to any phone number or start the on star call and etc. it takes your attention off the road and can result in a crash.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #33

Mar 212024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I kept getting a constant alert on my vehicle dash board that said "service trailer brake system" the beeping alert was quite literally constant and it covered up the digital speed odometer, every time I tried to acknowledge the alert it would just pop up and start beeping again. I searched online and quickly realized that this problem with the brake system has plagued GM vehicles for several years and I attempted to fix the issue myself by buying factory parts that other GM owners stated was the issue but it did not correct the issue. I ended up needing to take it to a GM service center and my vehicle was there for 2 business days and it ran me several hundred dollars to have GM fix the issue in the electrical brake system. Again according from online research this problem has plagued a large number of GM vehicles and it would be nice to see GM issue a recall and correct the issue so other people don't end up in the situation I was in.

- Fairmont , WV, USA

problem #32

Mar 042024

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The truck is throwing a repeat of service trailer break

- Red Oak, TX, USA

problem #31

Feb 222024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Getting message on console "Service - Trailer Brake System". This could result in trailer brakes to fail while pulling loads.

- Pineville, LA, USA

problem #30

Feb 192024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Have experience increased brake pedal effort, hard brake pedal, and/or potentially increased. stopping distance. The condition is more prevalent at low speed when softly applying the brakes. The Driver-??s Information Center, (DIC) -??Service brake assist-?? alert will activate. Extreme safety risk to myself and my children. Bulletin N182202780 & NT192268490 needs to be tied to this specific VIN Number as well.

- Athens , AL, USA

problem #29

Apr 112023

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Break system is making scratching noises as if it is a caliber breaking problem or a caliber piston problem, it is also setting off the trailer breaking system light on the dash as well as the trail traction control light.

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

problem #28

Dec 052022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Braking vehicle will cause brake pedal to vibrate and become soft while pressing it and requires more effort to stop vehicle. Service brake assist light laminates on info system. I know there is a recall for this currently but my vehicle is not listed for this all though i have the same issues. Recall is N202300860.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #27

Dec 242022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I purchased my 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck new in 2018. To date it only has 28K miles on it. I have never used the trailer breaking system that it came equipped with. On 12/24/22 we were traveling to a family function for Christmas. The "service trailer break system" warning message came on and the chime chimed continuously until I got to my destination, about an hour away. This chime was very distracting and there was no way to turn it off. After arriving at my destination I turned the truck off hoping it was just a fluke. When I started the truck back up the "service trailer break system" warning light and chime continued. It continued for an hour on my way home. Again, this was very distracting and I was unable to focus 100% of my attention on the road and my driving. Thank fully I made it home okay. On 12/27/22 I took the truck to my mechanic to have him take a look. He said he has heard of this issue with these pickups. His diagnostic confirmed that the trailer breaking switch (on the dash) was functioning properly but said that the chassis control module was likely the culprit. He replaced the control module and it had to be programed by a factory technician. After this part was replaced the warning light or chime does not come on anymore. I have the defective part for inspection and the bill totaling $1191.86 for the repair upon request.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

problem #26

Nov 012022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I purchased this 2018 GMC pickup in May 2021. Starting in Nov 2022 I started getting a sporadic SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM warning light and chime. I have never towed a trailer using this trailer brake system on the vehicle, but the warnings come on sporadically. I have done some research and found this is not an isolated case as others have reported the same problem. Some owners have replaced the dashboard controller at their own expense, however this is now a well documented problem that goes beyond an isolated case. This is a defect of the trailer brake controller and should be recalled by GM at GM expense. It is a hazard to driving when the visual and audible chime come on sporadically. It's a distraction to safe driving and requires immediate intervention. I did advise my local dealer of the problem when the vehicle was serviced Dec 2022, however they did not have a technician available to work the problem. So I continue receiving the visual and audible warning every time I drive the vehicle. Please highlight this problem within your organization for a possible safety recall.

- Waupaca, WI, USA

problem #25

May 102022

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Breaks are not working

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #24

Sep 122022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
While driving 35 miles per hour in the early morning hours I came to a 4-way intersection and applied the brakes slowly. Suddenly, I lost all power in the brakes and the steering wheel locked up. The lights, and stereo remained on, and my dash board display immediately showed a red check engine light. I immediately turn on my hazard lights, turned the ignition key off and tried to restart the truck. There was no clicking sounds. The truck would not start but the lights dimmed and the dash display now showed an intermittent yellow, flickering check engine light. After roughly 30 minutes while waiting for AAA to arrive I tried the ignition key and the truck started up with a red check engine light. Rather than attempting to drive I had AAA tow my vehicle to the Chevrolet dealership where I purchased the truck.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #23

Sep 022022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Received an error on the dash saying "Service Brake Assist". At the same time the brake pedal became very stiff and braking power was decreased significantly. I have received this same message and brake pedal stiffness with reduced braking power three times in the last 4 days.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #22

Aug 282022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The service alert for the trailer brakes keeps going off constantly and continues to go off persistently almost making the vehicle undriveable. I was informed to file a complaint with your company by my local dealership as this is a recurring issue with GMC trucks.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #21

Aug 152022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I am getting a service alert for the Trailer Brake System. It is constant and loud and distracting and a significant safety hazard, not only because of the distraction, but also because it renders trailer brakes completely useless

- Youngsville, LA, USA

problem #20

Feb 142022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
message and alarm kept going off on our truck "Service Trailer Brake". We are not towing a trailer, nor had we had a trailer hooked to this vehicle since 2019. It began only going off occasionally, but within a few weeks it was going off constantly. It would show repeatedly on the dash and the alarm would sound over and over. Trying to turn off the system was not successful, no matter how many times we hit dismiss. It was totally distracting and worrisome that something was wrong with our braking system in general. constant alarm and dash display made driving a very distracted experience. It is so loud that you cannot hear other outside noises. We were also concerned about the safety of our regular braking system. called the dealer where our truck is regularly serviced. They immediately said "Is it the Trailer Assist Alarm?," so it was obvious that this is happening to other owners regularly. It took several days to get in for an appointment. The shop mgr helped us to locate and pull the alarm fuse to stop the noise, so we could drive it to the dealership later in the week. The display was still going off when I pulled the truck into the dealership, as it has done all the way there (17miles from my home). was inspected by the GM dealership (Schwarz, INC. Honesdale, PA) and the defective switch was replaced at a cost to us of $127.14 on 08/11/2022. *This issue started several months ago (Feb 2022?), but it was a one time thing. So, we thought it was just a fluke. Then, a month or so ago it started again, but was happening only once or twice and would then disappear for days. Then, 2 weeks ago it began to happen continuously.

- Lake Ariel, PA, USA

problem #19

Feb 042022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I was stopped at a fast food drive thru and then I tried to go to the next window and the truck wouldn-??t move at all it will just rev so I put it in parked turned off the truck and turn it back on put it on drive and was able to move for like 40 ft then it did it again so I had it towed to my home

- Seagoville , TX, USA

problem #18

May 162022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Trailer brake modulator on 2018 GMC Sierra does not consistently signal trail brakes to work when needed on our 7,500 pound RV trailer. GMC dealer eventually found that the battery cables were undersized as installed with the factory towing package on the 2018 GMC Sierra. The undersized battery cables do not consistently deliver adequate voltage to the trailer brake modulator on the GMC Sierra, so inconsistent electric brake function for our 7,500 pound RV trailer. Dealer had difficulty diagnosing the problem as being the wrong factory-installed battery cables to go with the factory-installed trailer towing package. So it cost us $1,600 to have the GMC dealer correct a problem caused by the GMC factory installing undersized battery cables. Fortunately, this did not result in a collision for us, but it might for someone else. Our 2018 GMC Sierra kept sending vague, randomly timed warnings to the dashboard to "Check Trailer Wiring." Very frightening, dangerous and costly (for us) mistake by GMC. Will the brakes work this time, or fail on the way home? Problem started in 2021 RV season, but took awhile for us to recognize the need to take to the GMC dealer for them to diagnose base cause. Took time for us to experiment changing trailer wiring connector on bumper and trailer brake control on the dash. Work for awhile, then fail. Work for awhile, then fail. Arrrrgh! Ask GMC to put more adequate battery cables on ALL their vehicles, please.

- Merrifield, MN, USA

problem #17

Jun 012022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM - warning

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #16

Mar 192022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
-??Service- trailer brake system-?? light keeps coming on. It is super repetitive. It comes on about every 30 seconds. It-??s a loud beep that lasts quite a few seconds. Eventually, the beeping did not stop until the truck was stopped. Truck was just bought yesterday. Happens at any speed, even when stopped.

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

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