2018 GMC Sierra 1500: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Engine · GA

Customer states: thinks crankshaft pulley is loose due to prior water pump replacement-crackshaft pulley has nothing to do with water pump replacement. Before inspecting/starting engine verified oil level-oil level is on full mark. Started engine-loud rattling/knocking noise from engine-engine has internal failure-engine replacement is required. Also hearing noise in rearend-cannot test drive due to engine condition several tsb's on engine failures with 6.2l engines. Gm has possible recalls coming on 2019-2024 yr models. Not sure if earlier models maybe included underhood inspection 1 7003186 06ns 52.50 52.50 lbr-disc cust sat

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KY

I own a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 V8 5.3 liter which is at 46, 433 miles. Over the past few weeks I have noticed the transmission having difficulty shifting in first gear and lurching, and making shuddering noises, and as well making a constant ticking noise. After an experienced mechanic had put a diagnostic system onto my truck, his system diagnosed a Transmission Lifter Failure, specifically 2 out of the 8 lifters. A few days later (9-04-26) I took my truck to a certified GMC servicing business (Patriot Chevrolet of Hopkinsville KY 270‑886‑1207) and had a transmission servicing done. I had told the Customer Service representative Amanda Williams about the ticking and that I thought 2 lifters going bad in the transmission were the source of it. 3 hours later the servicing was done which cost $ 474.43. She did not know if the ticking had stopped or not. I started my engine to head home and the ticking was still happening. Nothing had changed. I got home, parked and have not started the engine since to minimize any further damage. I have become aware that this year, make and model has become infamous for the engine/transmission design and parts failure which has been at the center of thousands of class action lawsuits. I have owned this vehicle since inheriting it from my late father for 2 months before he developed dementia and suffered a broken hip. I have religiously had the oil changed every three months regardless of the mileage, and this is a sealed transmission which cannot be worked on by someone but a certified GMC mechanic, which wasn't a worry because the truck's manual says doesn't need to be worked on unless there seem to be problems. Which is what I did on 9-4-26, hoping that a servicing would fix the issue. During the 5 years that I have owned this truck, I never received ANY sort of notice from GMC that might've hinted at possible Transmission Failures, though GMC has been totally aware of. Sudden power loss dangerous and unfairly expensive to drivers.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · IL

Engine failure, 5/3/22, 23,987 miles, all lifters was replaced under warranty, engine failure, 7/6/26, 46004 miles, took truck in for oil change and when returned had a ticking noise. Dealership notified me that camshaft issues and metal detected in oil. Engine needs replaced. 6.2 v8 2018. Turpin motors, geneseo, il has done all serivce on truck. No warning lights or codes. Vehicle is in my garage and available for inspection. I opened case with gm #105652237. Dealership opened case on gm portal also. Response from gm is that truck is out of warranty

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · AR

Vehicle Details: 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Z72 4x4, 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 engine, VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of incident: 220,000 miles Location: [e.g., Little Rock, Arkansas area or specific road/highway – please provide if desired] What happened: The 5.3L V8 engine’s hydraulic roller lifters failed. One or more lifters collapsed, stuck, or lost proper oil pressure/operation. This led to improper valvetrain function, causing loud ticking/knocking noises, cylinder misfires, significant loss of engine power and performance, and internal engine damage (such as camshaft lobe wear or related components). Component or system that failed or malfunctioned: Hydraulic valve lifters (camshaft followers) in the engine valvetrain, associated with the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. The failed lifter(s) and related components are available for inspection upon request. How safety was put at risk: The engine malfunction resulted in sudden or progressive power loss and misfiring while driving. This reduced the vehicle’s ability to accelerate or maintain speed, especially in traffic or on highways, creating a hazardous situation that put my safety and the safety of other road users at risk of collision or breakdown. No accident or injuries occurred , or other symptoms prior to the failure with details recall, e.g., ticking noise timeline, misfires Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? “Yes, confirmed by shop inspection” Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? [Yes] Additional notes: Repair estimate is approximately $20,000 (likely due to extent of internal damage requiring major engine work or replacement). This failure aligns with a well-documented issue in GM 5.3L engines equipped with AFM. Vehicle status parked INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Engine · OR

Engine failure. 6.2l with AFM system Extreme oil consumption Heavy metal in oil Loud ticking 120789 miles Purchase date 05/29/2025 Madras, Oregon Chevrolet Dealer

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Engine, Seats · FL

I purchased a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 6.2 Denali new. I followed all service requirements including oil changes by GM dealerships. 2025 i noticed my truck power was decreasing. Than I started to hear knocking noses. I took it to a dealership for diagnosis but they couldn't identify anything. Finally it started to skip this is when a dealership diagnose it as being an issue with the active fuel management system. They said my lifters, camshaft, and various other parts was damaged and had to be replaced. Additionally, they said it was a recall on 6.2 engines with the same identical issue but my year wasn't included. The cost to repair approximately 10,000. I really need your attention to this matter! September 10, 2025 my truck placed me and others in danger when it lose engine power. Also my engine light was on for the first time.

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Engine · 110,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood road at 40 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact pulled over and used a diagnostic scanner to perform a diagnostic test on the vehicle. The scanner retrieved DTC: P0301 (Cylinder #1 Misfire). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the lifters, pushrods, camshaft, sparkplugs, and oil pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

I own a $35,000 2018 gmc Sierra 1500 6.2l V8 4x4 Denali, which is currently down due to engine failure while I was driving down the road.. never had a check engine light on the dash. Haven't had the truck a year before it quit. Rods knocking, crankshaft bearings, loss of power, high rpm with little acceleration. I could have the peddle down to the floor and would barely get to 20 mph.. the motor would jump so bad, you would think it's going to jump out the truck. I have replaced several parts on the truck, including oil pump, filter, solenoid valve sensor, fuel pump, injectors, and sensors, battery, starter a couple times. Did all that replacing for it to get worse and finally quit while driving.. I was stranded in the middle of the road.. IV reported it to the Recall people, but nothing helped. I have taken my vehicle to Express Chevrolet and they did a diagnostic test, which I provided the list they gave me below. When I took it to them, I was using Endurance Warranty, but they denied my claim due to the issues and they didn't cover them. At the time, the motor was still jumping, but smoke was coming out the tailpipe extremely bad, the truck was jerking and jumping. After replacing everything I listed, the truck got worse, started screeching and knocking loudly, loss of engine power, little acceleration. The day the motor quit on me while driving, I got the mph up to about 55-60 and it just quit, and hasn't started back since.

Filed Jul 16, 2025 · Engine · 58,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while his mother was driving 75 MPH on the highway, there was a popping and ticking sound coming from the engine, and while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. The driver was able to pull over to the right side of the road and waited for tow truck assistance. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact engine would take a while to be ordered. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Engine lifters failed. Heard ticking noise first day truck was purchased that gradually got louder but was told by gmc service shop it was normal to hear the ticking noise. Also when cruise control is on and you are decending a hill the rpms raise and you lose engine compression this will cause your speed to drop to around 20 mph and has happened nunerous times.. as well when making a turn sometimes or just driving the vehicle turns off while in motion and you have to coast to the side of the road and turn the key off and back on to start driving agsin.. the loss of power is a complete blackout no dash.. no engine nothing. As result of the lifter issue the engine also hard shifts in and out of slow gears.. I have not driven my truck in about a year and still owe 22k on it. The issues with this vehicle are the same as the recalled 6.3 v8 engines.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

I have taken it in due to engine mounts 4 different times, transmission replaced and in October 2024 I took it in for issues I was experiencing like I had before my transmission went out. I did not get my truck back until almost Dec 2024 and that was due to there employee backing into the front end of my truck. So after all that my warranty was up Dec 24 2024 and then on April 16th 2025 I was driving my 2018 GMC Sierra 6.2l 1500 Denali 129,600 miles at approx 30 mph it was late so the streets were empty and we started to hear a knocking or what I thought at the time was a very bad exhaust leak. We parked and then we started to try to make it home very slowly which we did and it was not making to much noise. The next day I called GMC and explained they said bring it in. I towed it there to be safe but it did start and still ran at very slow speed. They called me and said that the lift side rockers/ lifters 1 failed and it was stuck due to a misfire and that the engine would need to be rebuilt and sent me over some very vague break down which looked like a lump sum price. I requested and better break down and got a screen shoot and that when he said that’s the best they can do. There were no engine lights on or warnings nothing at all. It also just got serviced at GMC for an oil change on February 27th 2025 along with some air filters. Today is April 29th and still waiting for the service manage to call and see if they can do anything to help out instead of charging full price. I will Attach pictures of the cost break down if possible. Thank you

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Engine · 17,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that at start-up there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty, and that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.