2018 GMC Sierra 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · SC

I have 125,000 miles on my truck. I was traveling with my grandkids in the back seat. We were going through a four way stop. My truck started tapping like a lifter issue. The next thing I know is the truck engine light started flashing and car started to shake. Then, my truck lost all power and a big cloud of blue smoke came out of the tail pipe. The truck could not be driven any further. The symptoms: engine tapping, low oil, engine light flashing, shaking, lost all movement, and a cloud of smoke We had to tow my truck to the dealer and they are still accessing the issue. All symptoms are identical to the current recall of the GMC engines.

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 133,742 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The message "Reduced Power" was displayed, and the RPMs increased. Additionally, the vehicle jerked, and the contact noticed that there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the starter, the battery, the fuel pump, the oil pump, the oil pump sensors, and the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 133,742.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · IN · fire

On February 10, 2025 the vehicle, a 2018 GMC Sierra, caught on fire while parked in the driveway of my home. The vehicle had last been driven earlier in the day with a return to home at approximately 12:45pm. At approximately 7pm I heard a loud pop outside of my home and saw orange light coming through the front windows. Upon going outside, I found the rear of the vehicle engulfed in flames. The fire was coming out around the remains of the license plate, up and around the rear bumper on the left side, and progressing up the tailgate and window hatch on the bed cap. The fire progressed forward over the next few minutes as the fiberglass cap burned. Eventually the fire penetrated the front window of the cap and rear window of the cab and began burning the interior of the cab. About the time the fire department arrived the fuel tank ruptured and began spilling gasoline onto the ground beneath the vehicle. The fuel tank was approximately 7/8 full. The fire department eventually extinguished the fire, but the vehicle was a total loss. My wife and I had been in close vicinity of the vehicle during the afternoon hours and had noticed nothing unusual. There had been no unusual issues with the vehicle during the prior drive, which had been a 5 minute drive to/from a local home supply store. There was collateral damage to the front of my house as a result of the heat from the fire, as well as damage to the driveway. If the vehicle had been parked in the garage it is resonable to assume that the house would have been destroyed.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Visibility · 60,952 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH with the rear window defroster activated, there was a burning rubber odor inside the cabin of the vehicle and there was smoke coming from the rear window area. While inspecting the rear window the contact discovered that the rear window connector cover had melted, and the wire connections were a burning amber color, but no flames were present. After disconnecting the electrical connections, approximately 30 seconds later the rear glass panel on the passenger side suddenly shattered. No injuries were reported. The contact’s young daughter was seated in the rear during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,952.

Filed Nov 6, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · 72,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that an unknown part was loose. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle near the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate unintentionally. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the brake pedal. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down however, the brakes locked up unexpectedly. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the braking system had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2022 · Visibility · MN

When operating my truck two days ago, I smelled something burning. I then noticed a small plume of white smoke coming from the rear driver's side window area. I then noticed my rear defroster was on, which I shut of right of way. About 30 seconds later, I heard a loud pop and I noticed the rear driver's side portion of the window was shattered. I brought my truck to the dealership and they said they could not figure out what happened. I believe it is tied to a prior recall, but they said my truck was found not to have any issues at that time. I believe there is a direct correlation with the recall issued and what happened a couple of days ago.