Problems · by component
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 steering problems
30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 cite steering, 10% of all 305 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
30
10% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the steering
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Incident description: On three occasion I have had the same catastrophic Engine failure putting myself and my family along with the general public in harms way. Starting March of 2022 while driving at approximately 60 MPH on the West Shore Expressway my truck experienced a sudden and total loss of motor power. My engine stalled out and I lost my ability to safety steer and stop my vehicle. This all happened during rush hour while driving in the left lane of traffic. This sudden loss of power forced me to maneuver the vehicle to the right shoulder of the expressway across the right lane of traffic. As there was no shoulder to pull over on the left side of the highway. This created an immediate crash risk for myself and other drivers. Upon inspection at the authorized GMC dealership where I purchased the truck new, a certified mechanic determined that the engine experienced a complete failure requiring replacement or rebuilding of the engine. I paid to have the engine rebuilt at the dealership. The second instance was similar to the above incident. Once again I paid for the repair. The third instance was more dangerous as when my trucks engine failed it almost…”
“1. Electronic power steering modular issue. My 2018 GMC SEIRRA 1500 CREW CAB JUST LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THEN WHEN I PARK IT. Assist notifications come on, ABS notices, BRAKE light stays on, trailer/tow notifications, trailer assist, parking brake, etc SUDDENLY A LOUD thump & feels like the whole truck just drops like 5” inches, settling. I cannot afford an inspection (ID theft in 2025, compromised all accts & all credit cards) BUT. It IS available as long as cost is covered by YOU !! 2. Lucky it happened in a grocery store parking lot. However not expecting power steering to go out, almost hit a pedestrian. 3. No it has not Ben inspected yet I can’t afford the bill 4. No it has not been reported what for I didn’t hit anybody and the cops in this area they could give her rats ass they don’t make a report the question you like you’re like a criminal. 5. No warnings or anything until it happened that day leaving the grocery store. There is absolutely no notification it was gonna happen. It ran fine when I parked it to grocery shop Come back out & I could barely back out to leave. I can lift up my had fatboy if needed so I’m sure turning a steering wheel…. lol…”
“I've had the vehicle service twice for the same incident power steering shut off in the middle of drive Vehicle shuts down almost smashed into a freeway wall. This has been to the dealership numerous times to fix it and they have not. We are in the tens of thousands of dollars in repair and still nothing is fixed I've had this vehicle for 5 years it's been In the shop for at least 3 I bought it with 30000 miles it only has 61000 on it right now The last repair lasted 10000 miles this repair only lasted 4000 I almost died and was left Is petrified.”
“My engine and all electrical components including power steering and power brakes and all dashboard electrical will fail while driving. It is becoming more frequent and has almost caused an accident on numerous occasions to the point of not being able to drive safely on the highway any longer so now I only stay on surface streets and can't use for any out of town work. I usually do all of my own vehicle maintenance not been able to diagnose the culprit. Unfortunately I'm not able to afford the dealership diagnostic prices but open to any type of inspection.”
“While driving my truck and making low speed turns the dashboard (including center console) cuts off, along with my power steering. The truck has also shut off completely making u-turns causing me to almost crash. This also happened while driving around 60mph on the freeway, the entire dashboard went out, loss of steering, and truck shut off, almost causing an accident. When it does happen, it will cut out in 1 second intervals and steering will work again for 2 seconds then cut out again for 1 second, this causing me to stall. There are no check engine lights, or service lights that stay on. However, I will get a message stating: You are memory setting 3 in the system (wording may be different). In some cases the stabilitrak light will come on, the park assist warning stating it shut off comes on dash, and trailer break. I have a full service AUL warranty and had vehicle checked at certified dealership and no codes were recorded. I replaced battery and the problem is still happening. This is unsafe and should be part of the previous recall as my symptoms are the same exact symptoms as the other 2018 recall.”
“Electrical system turns off power steering while driving Dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree service track service brake stability Had this service back in 2022 August the problems have resurfaced there are no recalls have spent lots of money and still failing Spent almost a year at the dealership fast forward to years later the same problem is occurring I am running out of money”
Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.