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Few trucks compare to the towing and hauling capability of a 2018 GMC Sierra 3500. The automaker claims that the new pickups allow a user to “tow big,” which is precisely what continues to make sales for the company. However, it doesn’t take long for drivers to figure out that there are serious concerns with the engine, steering and exterior lighting on this heavy-duty model.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 GMC Sierra 3500
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | |
| Steering | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Electronic Stability Control | |
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Visibility/wiper |
Problems with the Engine
When it comes to creating maximum towing capacity, a pickup must have a strong engine under the hood. Sadly, the motor is one of the biggest problems this truck deals with.
One NHTSA complaint states, “The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 3500. This contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 19V328000. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. [Dealer] was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was also contacted and made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Unfortunately, this is what many owners are dealing with as a result of this massive recall. It turns out, more than 300,000 vehicles have an engine block heater that might face an electrical short that could lead to a fire. Not only aren’t dealers replacing the necessary parts, but they are also disconnecting the heater entirely to cover their tracks. For owners that pay a premium price to own this GMC truck, this is an outrage. But that’s not all! There is also another recall related to the fuel system. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V088000 states that the front fuel tank might overfill and cause a leak that also leads to an increased chance of a fire. The moral of the story is that owners might be able to “tow big,” but there’s no guarantee they will reach the destination without bursting into flames.
Problems with the Steering
When hauling or towing heavy equipment, the steering system plays a vital role. To get the job done, everything must be working perfectly for a smooth ride, but that’s not the case with this heavy-duty truck.
One NHTSA user stated, “I was driving uphill. The truck lost power died/shutdown, so I had no power steering, no power brakes. We live on a country rural road. Had the truck towed to [dealer] where it has been since November 2 with electrical issues that they are trying to pinpoint.”
It’s a wonder that the dealer hasn’t just disconnected the steering system and claimed it was repaired. Of course, this isn’t the only steering-related issue that needs to be addressed. Service Bulletin #PIP5570A says that a ticking noise might present itself while driving. This problem might stem from an improperly seated or deformed steering shaft seal that is allowing the engine noises to enter the cabin. Again, GMC owners are looking at a premium price and certainly didn’t sign up to listen to the noises coming from their truck engines. If these consumers desired sub-par equipment, they would have opted for the lower-end Chevy models instead.
Problems with the Headlights
If someone desires to tow or haul at night, it’s helpful to have a solid set of headlights illuminating the road ahead. Yet, this is another source of complaints for users.
Check out this short and to-the-point review left on TrueCar. “I wish GMC would replace or recall the trucks due to these very bad headlights.”
What’s worse is some owners are complaining that the Daytime Running Lamps won’t shut off, even when using the daytime running lamp disable switch. According to Service Bulletin #PIT3219F, it appears that these vehicles were produced in Canada, where it’s not legal to turn off the daytime running lamps. Logic would tell the automaker, if they weren’t willing to have the headlamps disabled, that they should have first removed the switch that says it will disable the lighting. At this point, it might seem like GMC is playing a cruel joke on owners, waiting to see how long it takes them to realize that the disable switch is completely useless. The bottom line is, owners can “tow big” if the engine runs, the steering doesn’t fail and they don’t mind have switches that do absolutely nothing.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes GMC pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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