10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,131 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #77

Mar 012024

Sierra 1500

  • miles

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

Drive train:The truck suddenly lurches forward as I'm accelerating and after I've stopped. It's very scary to stop behind a vehicle and suddenly lurch forward. Thankfully, I don't stop too close to another vehicle. The truck also shudders and experiences significant delays in acceleration after coming to a stop and going again. Automatic Emergency Braking: the automatic emergency braking system spontaneously brakes as I'm driving when there is nothing in front of me. Thankfully, nobody has been following behind me when this happens yet. I had to turn the automatic braking system off in order to avoid being hit.

- Anderson, MO, USA

problem #76

Mar 232024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop light and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that several unknown parts were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Holly Grove, AR, USA

problem #75

Jun 242024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
We purchased our 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 z71 brand new at Fairway Buick GMC in Las Vegas, NV. Pretty much off the lot we noticed some hard shifting, but over the last year/around 60,000 miles it has become progressively worse. Come to find out GM is aware of a known defect in the transmission used in this make/model and several others by GM which causes hard shifting and jerking while upshifting and down shifting primarily between 1st and 2nd gear. This malfunction has caused the vehicle to activate "limp mode" which doesn't allow the vehicle to move out of 1st gear, while driving on the road, putting the safety of the occupants and others on the road at risk. This first happened in January 2024 while we were moving and towing a 6' U-Haul trailer. Luckily we were within a few miles of our destination and made it there safely. Upon taking it to Autonation Buick GMC, we were told they had seen this issue before and the only solution would be to replace the transmission and would cost roughly $6,000-$8,000, and that's with the generous 20% discount they were willing to offer. We opted to have the transmission flushed instead and it seemed to fix the problem temporarily. Then on 6/24/24 while decelerating and coming to a stop light it hard shifted from 2nd to 1st then the check engine light came on and limp mode was activated. It was 110 degrees on this day in Las Vegas when my husband was driving home from work, and again by the grace of God, he was only 5 minutes from home and made it there safely. However, what if this had occurred with our two young children in the vehicle and we were no where near home? We would have been stranded in dangerous conditions potentially putting our safety as risk. This KNOWN defect in GM transmissions is 100% a safety risk and this needs to be investigated and recalled immediately. There is an ongoing class action lawsuit against GM regarding this issue and I will be looking to get involved as well.

- Las V, NV, USA

problem #74

Jan 102024

Sierra 1500

  • miles

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

2018 gmc Seirra 1500 8 speed transmission. Making unsafe conditions while driving transmission tends to make hard shifts, jerks, hesitation when moved into gear, gets worse when stopping momentarily at stop lights and then trying to accelerate vehicle will not move. Makes hard shift and jerks then will accelerate in an unsafe manner.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #73

Apr 012024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
My 2018 gmc 1500 transmission making noise grinding. It only has 75799 Miles on it. I just was told by Laura gmc that my transmission needs replacing. I think gm should cover that. Dealer charging $7800 to replace it. That's not right the truck doesn't have that many miles on it. Please help

- St Louis, MO, USA

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problem #72

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 #71

Apr 112024

Sierra 1500

  • miles

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

Hard changes with transmission like a car has hit you from behind. It has had a hit in the transmission changing gears since 15,000 miles but it has progressively gotten worse and at 67k it-??s enough to knock you to change steering direction.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

problem #70

Mar 152022

Sierra 1500

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra LD. The contact stated the vehicle experienced jerking and shaking. The contact also stated when the accelerator pedal was applied, the vehicle made a loud noise and lunged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a transmission flush and an alignment were performed. However, the contact stated the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #69

Feb 262024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
At 66,963 miles my transmission failed while driving. The check engine light came on and the car would not shift out of first gear. The car was towed into Gilchrist GMC in Tacoma WA. and I was informed I needed a transmission replacement, cost of $7552.24. Come to find out there is a class action lawsuit currently filed for GM owners of this transmission, claiming some 800,000 GM products contain a knowingly faulty transmission. A recall should be in place being that nearly a million vehicles are affected by this.

- Gig Harbor , WA, USA

problem #68

Feb 132019

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I have been experiencing ongoing issues with the transmission of the vehicle I purchased in 2018. Despite it being a brand new vehicle with only 10,000 miles, I have had to bring it back to the dealer multiple times for transmission-related problems. We have tried changing the transmission fluid periodically to address the issues with shifting and shuddering, but the problem has persisted throughout my ownership.

- Senoia, GA, USA

problem #67

Nov 212023

Sierra 1500

  • miles

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

I have a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, it is over 5 years. So we all know our warranties are either expired and meaning out of pocket expenses will come. I mainly drive back and forth to work so my vehicle only 43,924 miles to be exact. So tell me why GM allows us to purchase a vehicle with defect oil in the transmission knowing the Torque converter will start shuttering causing some of us to purchase a new transmission and if we lucky a transmission flush. So yes I took it to the dealership causing me over $850 to have a diagnosis, computer hook up, and a transmission oil flushed and replaced. I was told this is an 45000 miles issue and it's not considered a safety issue. Personally, if I didn't know better I could had gotten rear ended and yes this should be a safety issue. Our family would like this issue addressed and be reimbursed for my expenses. Thank you!

- Elgin, OK, USA

problem #66

Nov 172023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
My 2018 Sierra began experiencing severe shuddering while driving down the road. The dealer said it was caused by moisture getting into the transmission fluid and contaminating it. In my ownership of dozens of vehicle's this has never happened before. This formerly inexpensive minor fluid change requirement morphed into a $618 major surgery just to fix a problem that should have never occured. If the fluid was contaminated by moisture as the dealer explained, it's a design defect which caused it and nothing I have ever done. I am still unsure as to if the transmission or torque converter may be damaged. The manufacturer should be liable for the cost to fix this not me!

- Sunrise Beach, MO, USA

problem #65

Nov 112023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The vehicle steering wheel shudders at speeds from 40-55mph. The steering wheel shudders at 2-second intervals and is constant between those speeds. At first, I thought it might be one of the safety systems. It is not. This is unsafe and GM should be held responsible.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #64

Sep 042023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Transmission shudder at different speeds while driving.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #63

Jul 232023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
On approximately July 23, 2023, I noticed the vehicle transmission shifting hard from 1st to 2nd gear and then during the following week, this began to occur every time I drove the vehicle. There were no warning indicators appearing on the vehicle for this problem during vehicle operation. Then at higher steady speeds, the engine RPMs began to suddenly and intermittently surge slightly higher, and the steering wheel would shudder for a few moments. This began to occur more frequently and I became concerned that the transmission would catastrophically fail, causing a crash and/or personal injury. At that point I called a local dealer to make an appointment for a transmission oil change and inspection. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on August 21, 2023 and they confirmed that there was a problem with the transmission, though at this time final diagnosis is pending. To my knowledge, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others since I took it to the dealership on August 21, 2023.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

problem #62

Jul 122022

Sierra 1500

  • 84,267 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was slipping and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating and shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her nearby destination. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer Liberty Chevrolet (105 Cooley Way, Villa Rica, GA 30180) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to a third dealer, Prince Chevrolet Buick GMC of Albany (2701 Ledo Rd, Albany, GA 31707) where it was diagnosed that passenger's side lifters needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the warranty would cover a portion of the cost of the repair and she was responsible for the balance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,267.

- Cuthbert, GA, USA

problem #61

Mar 022023

Sierra 1500

  • 27,477 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty; however, the part needed to fix the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,477.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #60

Jan 082023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
When the transmission is making changes, there is a shaking noise.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #59

Mar 252023

Sierra 1500

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while accelerating from a traffic light, the vehicle started hesitating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Mineral Springs, AR, USA

problem #58

Mar 162023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Transmission failure - the GM manufactured Torque converter on my truck failed to cause the transmission to fail. The internet is rife with stories of the failure of these transmissions on 2018 and 2019 GMC and Chevy Trucks.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

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