10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,792 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

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

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

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

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

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

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

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

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

problem #57

Mar 012023

Sierra 1500

  • miles

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

8 speed transmission jerking, the torque convertor has been replaced 1 time already and having same issues as before. This time while in parking lot at store, was pulling into parking space, truck lundge forward during hard downshift hitting cart of person walking in front of truck. No damage and luckly barely hit the cart and not the person. I have also had the truck lunge forward when parking in my garage and hitting the garage wall in front. My truck is back at dealer again after hitting the cart in the parking lot. The 8 speed transmission issue from GM is a safety issue. My truck has already had first torque converter replaced and now having same issue with the new torque convertor

- Guysville, OH, USA

problem #56

Jan 232023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
noticed ongoing vibration sounds like you are running over rumble lines on road.

- New Kent, VA, USA

problem #55

Dec 022022

Sierra 1500

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission oil needed to be flushed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 71,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #54

Sep 012022

Sierra 1500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle was shaking while shifting gears. The contact stated while shifting from four cylinders to eight cylinders, the rear-end was shaking violently. The hood latch warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the tires needed to be replaced. The tires were replaced three times however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Sunapee, NH, USA

problem #53

Sep 012022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Experienced heavy vibration or shudder through transmission once fluid got to around 145 degrees. Also transmission has rough shift on the first shift of a drive cycle. When I started to research I found many of the same issues reported with 8 speed transmissions. I-€™ve also read about the issues with the lifters not working for the active fuel management system though I haven-€™t experienced that yet. The replaced my transmission fluid at the dealership under the powertrain warranty. This issue showed up at around 35,000 miles, so I am very worried about the safety and reliability of this engine and transmission.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #52

Aug 102022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Transmission System, hard shifts and shaking causing vehicle to down shift hard and throw itself forward almost causing an accident when coming to a stop, when vehicle was taken into service they did not diagnose the vehicle for this problem, while driving vehicle shifted down so hard causing vehicle to be stuck in only 1st gear and would not shift out of 1st gear

- East Moline, IL, USA

problem #51

May 282022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Transmission slams into gear in drive and reverse while driving it will slam into gear. And occasionally at speeds under 5 going up a hill it will have no power and struggle. I have 59000 miles on it last year around 53000 miles they did a transmission flush and that fixed it for about 9 months. Just took it back in they reprogrammed the transmission and it no longer slams In drive and reverse but still knocks back-and-forth while driving.

- Shippenville , PA, USA

problem #50

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 #49

Jun 042022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I have a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali. I started having problems with the 8-speed transmission at 18,000 miles. The vehicle has been to the dealership for a transmission fluid flush, a transmission relearn, a 5-week valve body replacement, two more trips to the dealership where the truck did not malfunction for them. I have had issues with an air leak on the driver side front door as well. That issue has not been resolved as well. I spent over $60,000 for the truck and have had nothing but problems. I have brought it to General Motors attention and all I would do is get a run around and no results. I was told that there is nothing more that they can do. I am beside myself and just sick as I do not know what to do. I bought a brand new vehicle in order to not have problems compared to a used one.

- Goshen, IN, USA

problem #48

May 162022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Leak detected in the engine oil cooling lines, requiring replacement.

- Denver, CO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?