2018 GMC Sierra 1500: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Transmission · WA

My 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 experienced significant transmission problems that began as rough, inconsistent shifting, hesitation, and abnormal transmission behavior before eventually progressing to complete transmission failure. These symptoms were present before the transmission's ultimate failure and while the vehicle was still within its warranty period. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, local dealership service departments faced significant staffing shortages and appointment backlogs, making timely diagnosis and repair extremely difficult. By the time the transmission failed completely, the vehicle had exceeded the warranty's 84-month time limitation but remained substantially below its mileage limitation. Despite the relatively low mileage, the earlier symptoms, and the extraordinary circumstances affecting service availability, General Motors declined to provide warranty or goodwill assistance. I was forced to bear the substantial financial burden of a major transmission failure in a vehicle that had not reached the mileage threshold established under its warranty. I believe this failure warrants investigation because transmission problems involving GM trucks and SUVs from this period have been widely reported by other owners. I am particularly concerned about whether GM was aware of recurring transmission defects, whether affected owners received adequate notification, and whether these failures present a potential safety risk through unexpected loss of propulsion, hesitation, or unpredictable shifting. I request that the federal safety agency review this complaint alongside similar reports involving 2018 GMC Sierra transmissions to determine whether a recurring defect exists and whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Engine · NV

The injector failure in my 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 resulted in repeated misfire conditions (P0300 and P0307), causing the vehicle to lose power unexpectedly while driving. The engine would hesitate, shake, and struggle to accelerate, especially during merging or highway speeds. These symptoms created a significant safety hazard because the vehicle could not reliably maintain speed or respond to throttle input. Sudden power loss in traffic exposes the driver and surrounding motorists to an increased risk of collision, particularly during lane changes, freeway merging, intersection crossings, and passing maneuvers. The dealership confirmed internal injector failure, and the vehicle has been out of service for three months without resolution. This is a safety-critical defect that compromises vehicle controllability, stability, and safe operation on public roads.”

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

2018 GMC Sierra started having shuddering/jerking/jumping problems at around 60k miles. This problem occurs while driving on straight aways, going uphill and while in drive at a stop sign/light. When the gas is accelerated the truck then hesitates and jerks/jumps. We have taken it to the GMC dealership and paid for the diagnostics and were informed “the problem wasn’t severe enough”. The truck has only been serviced by GMC dealership. So after failed attempts with GMC service department we have taken it to a local small auto shop and they automatically said it was the Drive Train and needed to be taken to a transmission shop. We have been GM owners for decades and are so disappointed in the service received from them.

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · Engine · 169,000 miles · ND

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stoplight, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. A day later, the failure reoccurred, and the RPMs increased before the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the connecting rod had failed, and there were metal shavings inside the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall on the VIN. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

Filed Jun 28, 2024 · Transmission · AR

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop light and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that several unknown parts were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 6, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

2018 gmc Seirra 1500 8 speed transmission. Making unsafe conditions while driving transmission tends to make hard shifts, jerks, hesitation when moved into gear, gets worse when stopping momentarily at stop lights and then trying to accelerate vehicle will not move. Makes hard shift and jerks then will accelerate in an unsafe manner.

Filed Jun 29, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 84,267 miles · GA

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.

Filed Apr 3, 2023 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · AR

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.

Filed Oct 2, 2020 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · AR

Hesitation when engine is cold shifting from reverse to drive. Some shift is so hard that it feels like being hit from behind. Took truck to dealership to correct the problem. They performed the tsb 18-na-355. This did not correct the problem. Dealership advised there was nothing else they could do about this issue.

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 27,000 miles · AL

The first thing that happened was that all of the electrical systems on my truck went out and my truck would not start. It finally started but it would not move finally it would move but very slowly this happened on 11/20/2019 I have documentation through onstar for this incident. My brakes started slipping on 07/01/2020 and still do not work properly. My transmission has never shifted correctly. When I accelerate or when I slow down there is a shudder and a jerking sound. After sitting for a while when my truck is put in reverse it hesitates and then seems to jump into gear.

Filed Jun 24, 2020 · Transmission · 850 miles · FL

Purchased vehicle brand new from dealership and from day one, I notice the power train slow to shifting from gear one to two. The vehicle hesitates and sometimes shifts hard only during cold starts. Every time I take it in for my schedule service I report the same issue to my service advisor along with the service manager at the gmc dealership. They say that it is a normal problem and they know about it. The last schedule service I told them about the same problem, this time his service tech test drove vehicle and said torque converter was shuddering causing vibration. The solution he said they changed the transmission fluid. Today I still notice the same issue and will report to the dealership next time I take in for service. I have read this is a common problem from the manufacture since putting in an 8 speed transmission. I feel this is a safety issue and some day I may feel that the transmission may lock up on me and may cause an accident.

Filed Jun 11, 2020 · Transmission · 500 miles · NY

When truck is in motion shifting from reverse to first/second gear it jumps forward into gear. There is a hesitation shifting into gear. It is a very well known problem with the 8 speed transmission. I have been in contact with the dealer but 3 different times. The know the problem as does gmc. They actually can fix the problem. But will not do anything until gmc sends out a technical bulletin. There has been an unbelievable amount of complaints. I understand gmc is hesitant because they may have to replace transmission and or torque converter which would naturally cost a lot of money. But also I understand changing to a different transmission fluid will help. But dealer will not do it. This has been going on since the day I bought it brand new and I only have 5700 miles on it. I have not had accident because of this. But concerns me with the hesitation and jumping in to gear. Also it does not do it every single time. Depends on your take off speed.