— A GMC Sierra headlight lawsuit accuses General Motors of selling trucks with dim headlights in the 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500.
Plaintiffs Armando J. Becerra and Guillermo Ruela filed the GMC Sierra headlight lawsuit claiming they can't see to drive at night because of defective headlights. The plaintiffs say GM has long been aware of the alleged headlight defect in the GMC trucks but has concealed the problem from customers.
Plaintiff Becerra purchased a new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 and has experienced repeated problems with the headlight system and the inability to see at night. Becerra says dealerships were unable to fix the problem so he bought a new headlight assembly for nearly $500.
Plaintiff Ruelas purchased a new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 and allegedly had constant problems with the lack of light from the headlights. After returning the vehicle to the dealership for repairs, he was told nothing could be done to fix the problem.
Ruelas eventually traded the 2014 Sierra for a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 thinking GM must have fixed the headlight problems in the 2015 model. However, the plaintiff says the 2015 Sierra 1500 headlights are no better than the headlights in the 2014 Sierra 1500.
The lawsuit says GM used three different bulbs for the headlights in Sierra trucks prior to the 2014 model year trucks: a H11LL bulb for the low beams, a 9005LL bulb for the high beams and a 5202 bulb for the fog lights. That combination provided enough lighting to see adequately at night, according to the plaintiffs.
However, GM allegedly designed a new headlight system for the GMC Sierra 1500 starting with the 2014 model year.
The new system used one 9012 halogen single filament bulb for both the low and high beams. Historically, vehicle manufacturers have used dual filament bulbs for low and high beams. The plaintiffs say General Motors used a moving shield to alternatively project a low- or high-beam from the 9012 bulb that can leave drivers blind trying to drive at night.
Owners of the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 have complained to CarComplaints.com about how they are afraid to drive at night because the headlights are so dim.
"Headlights are just dim even on high. Have to use fog lights all the time at night and still not all that good."
"Brand new GMC Sierra truck that I am afraid to drive an night. First thought that my eyes suddenly were falling apart or my windshield was tinted, but these headlights are the worst I have ever seen (or more correctly, not seen) on a vehicle."
"I have purchased several new G M vehicles ( cars & trucks) but these headlights are the worst on my 2014 Sierra. I had a 1951 Chevy with stronger beams than these. Damn shame at today's prices you can't see the road at night."
"Bought this $47,000 truck and it has the worst headlamp output of any vehicle I have ever owned. My wife will not take it out unless absolutely necessary which is ridiculous."
The lawsuit says despite numerous complaints about the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 headlights, General Motors still expanded the same allegedly dim headlight design to the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2015 GMC 2500HD and 3500HD.
According to the lawsuit, GM knew the Sierra headlight system was defective but owners had no way of knowing until they bought the trucks and drove them at night. GM allegedly knew there was a problem through customer complaints, warranty data, input from its dealerships and replacement parts data.
The Sierra headlight lawsuit accuses GM of violating California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, Breach of Express Warranty pursuant to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability pursuant to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment.
The GMC Sierra headlight lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California - Armando J. Becerra, Guillermo Ruela, et al. v. General Motors LLC, et al.
The plaintiffs are represented by Faruqi & Faruqi LLP, Premier Legal Center, and Patrick Law Firm P.C.
CarComplaints.com has complaints about GMC Sierra headlight problems: