Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 285 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 across 31 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “turn signal” (11% of reports).
- 285exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Turn signal: mentioned in 32 of 285 complaints (11%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 173 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 285 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2025 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2023 Silverado 1500 | 12 | 3% | 4,000 |
| 2022 Silverado 1500 | 4 | 1% | 37,000 |
| 2021 Silverado 1500 | 6 | 1% | 50,020 |
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | 12 | 2% | 2,668 |
| 2019 Silverado 1500 | 16 | 1% | 1,750 |
| 2018 Silverado 1500 | 7 | 1% | 1,050 |
| 2017 Silverado 1500 | 16 | 2% | 5,600 |
| 2016 Silverado 1500 | 17 | 2% | 17,000 |
| 2015 Silverado 1500 | 28 | 3% | 45,500 |
| 2014 Silverado 1500 | 40 | 3% | 62,470 |
| 2013 Silverado 1500 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2012 Silverado 1500 | 5 | 2% | 100,000 |
| 2011 Silverado 1500 | 7 | 1% | 105,724 |
| 2010 Silverado 1500 | 4 | 1% | 67,000 |
| 2009 Silverado 1500 | 9 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2008 Silverado 1500 | 6 | 1% | 73,500 |
| 2007 Silverado 1500 | 19 | 2% | 82,000 |
| 2006 Silverado 1500 | 8 | 2% | 125,000 |
| 2005 Silverado 1500 | 9 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2004 Silverado 1500 | 10 | 1% | 89,000 |
| 2003 Silverado 1500 | 7 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2002 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 140,000 |
| 2001 Silverado 1500 | 12 | 3% | 50,900 |
| 2000 Silverado 1500 | 9 | 1% | 122,347 |
| 1999 Silverado 1500 | 5 | 1% | 108,800 |
| 1998 Silverado 1500 | 7 | 2% | 117,000 |
| 1997 Silverado 1500 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 1995 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 33% | 124,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Model years: 2022
Problem: General Motors (GM) has decided that certain 2022 model year Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with an accessory sport bar. The accessory sport bar contains a high-mounted brake light that may not function. In addition, it may block the vehicle's existing high-mounted brake light. As such, these vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: An inoperative high-mounted brake light can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the installation of the accessory bar and provide the correct vehicle wiring, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 10, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 27, 2023. Owners may contact GM's customer service on 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.. GM's recall number for this recall is N222368110.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the three rear brake lights remained illuminated overnight, causing the battery to drain. The contact had to disconnect the battery terminals to prevent the battery from draining…
As a result of the High Beam Visual Field is blind when turning to right or left, I could not see in the complete darkess 1 early morning destination OHSU ER near XXX, I experienced an minor accident with passenger. Due diligence: Notified [XXX] XXX [XXX] 2. Consulted experts before trade in…
Body to frame ground cables corroded in half two different times within about 6 months. First time engine wouldnât start had to have it towed to dealer for repair, over 30 codes were shown when this happened. Next incident some of my lights were working intermittently and my steering was rendered…
The left front turn signal becomes inoperable at times. The foreword collision indicator warning will come on unprovoked at times. Both conditions correct when you cycle the ignition switch. I consider the turn signal problem a safety issue because it happens with no warning and oncoming traffic…
Upon purchasing a used 2023 Silverado, on the first night of ownership, I found the headlight on the passenger side to be defective. The high beams activated approximately a full second slower than the driver's side. It took me a few days to confirm what I was seeing, where I immediately reached…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 1500s have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 285 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “turn signal”, in 32 of 285 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
- Service Brakes problems (2,959)
- Electrical System problems (2,694)
- Engine problems (2,656)
- Power Train problems (2,508)
- Air Bags problems (2,409)
- Steering problems (1,526)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,525)
- Structure problems (933)
See all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems.