2018 GMC Sierra 1500: Engine failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Sierra 1500 report: engine failure. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 87,750 miles.
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints for the 2018 Sierra 1500 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765772 (filed 09/21/2026): “I was backing out of my garage and truck made strange noise and shut off . tried to restart but just made ding and wouldn't turn over . dash lights went blank. had vehicle towed to shop and mechanic stated it was crank and connecting rods after he dropped th…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765804 (filed 09/21/2026): “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…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: total engine replacement (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $18,690 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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