2018 Gmc Sierra Safety Report

The 2018 GMC Sierra presents a mixed safety picture, primarily due to a significant number of owner-reported mechanical issues rather than direct crash safety concerns. With 350 total complaints to NHTSA, including 10 crashes, 3 fires, and 6 injuries, there are clear areas of concern. However, it's important to note that NHTSA did not provide specific crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover) for this model year, making it difficult to assess its structural crashworthiness directly from official sources. The absence of recalls for the 2018 model year is notable, suggesting that while individual component failures are prevalent, they haven't reached a threshold for manufacturer-initiated safety campaigns. The most common complaint patterns revolve heavily around the POWER TRAIN (88 complaints) and ENGINE (37 complaints), often describing issues like transmission failure, hard shifting, shuddering, and engine lifter problems. Several complaints detail complete transmission replacements, sometimes multiple times, and engine failures requiring significant repairs or replacement. These issues, while not always leading to crashes, can cause sudden loss of power or control, increasing risk. For example, one complaint describes the vehicle locking up and not shifting on the interstate due to transmission issues, nearly causing a family accident. Beyond the powertrain, SERVICE BRAKES (19 complaints) and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints) also show up as frequent issues, with reports of ABS/Stabilitrak warning lights and sudden loss of power steering. The unexpected deployment of airbags without impact, as reported in one complaint, is a severe safety concern, though seemingly rare. The lack of official crash test data means potential buyers must weigh the high volume of mechanical reliability complaints against an unknown crash performance, making pre-purchase inspections and extended warranties particularly crucial for this model.

Our recommendation: Given the high volume of powertrain and engine complaints, including multiple reports of transmission and engine failures, prospective buyers should prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic and consider an extended warranty to mitigate potential repair costs.