GMC Sierra Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the GMC Sierra across 18 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (63). The words owners use most often: “high beams” (14% of reports).
- 155exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 43%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.
- High beams: mentioned in 22 of 155 complaints (14%)
- Low beam: mentioned in 16 of 155 complaints (10%)
- Headlights dim: mentioned in 12 of 155 complaints (8%)
- Unsafe night: mentioned in 8 of 155 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 89 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 155 complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
GMC Sierra exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 2 | 3% | 1,050 |
| 2015 Sierra | 30 | 57% | 1,000 |
| 2014 Sierra | 63 | 62% | 725 |
| 2013 Sierra | 1 | 3% | 4,000 |
| 2012 Sierra | 1 | 3% | 12,000 |
| 2011 Sierra | 1 | 2% | 950 |
| 2009 Sierra | 1 | 3% | 4,000 |
| 2006 Sierra | 1 | 2% | 5,013 |
| 2004 Sierra | 3 | 2% | 3,050 |
| 2003 Sierra | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2002 Sierra | 2 | 1% | 21,871 |
| 2001 Sierra | 3 | 1% | 49,274 |
| 2000 Sierra | 12 | 3% | 99,500 |
| 1999 Sierra | 8 | 1% | 57,000 |
| 1998 Sierra | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1997 Sierra | 4 | 2% | 11,900 |
| 1996 Sierra | 12 | 5% | — |
| 1995 Sierra | 8 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists exterior lighting for the GMC Sierra. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Headlight on this truck are extremely horrible and unsafe at night time. The light output is worst then any other vehicle i have ever drove. Gm needs to stand behind the issue and provide a solution
The headlights on my new gmc sierra 2500hd denali are horrible and unsafe for driving at night. The 25 watt rating and 2,000 lumens on the oem hid bulbs do not provide adequate, safe lighting for operating my vehicle. I already hit a deer with my brand new truck because i couldn't see it well…
The projector headlights are inadequate on a level road, and are dangerous on rolling terrain roads and curves. They could be possibly designed for stationary use in a perfect enviorment but not for moving vehicles, i cannot safely drive this vehicle at night, i fear not only for myself but for…
The vehicle lights are very dim even with the high beams on. While driving at night can barely see in front of me. These are a hazard to me and others, since not being able to see a good distance in front of the vehicle makes hard to see pedestrians, animals or debris in the road at night.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc sierra. The contact stated that the low beam headlight was defective and did not provide adequate light coverage. The contact had to engage the high beams. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer raised the low beams; however; the light coverage was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierras have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 155 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the GMC Sierra. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sierra exterior lighting?
No recall currently lists exterior lighting for this vehicle.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the GMC Sierra?
The most frequent phrase is “high beams”, in 22 of 155 complaints, followed by “low beam” (16).
Other GMC Sierra problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (954)
- Visibility problems (343)
- Service Brakes problems (304)
- Power Train problems (293)
- Steering problems (248)
- Electrical System problems (241)
- Air Bags problems (193)
- Structure problems (193)
See all GMC Sierra problems.