8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$210
Average Mileage:
11,400 miles
Total Complaints:
57 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (34 reports)
  2. replace headlight assembly (10 reports)
  3. replace headlights (5 reports)
  4. replace with led (4 reports)
  5. replace with hid bulbs (2 reports)
  6. buy different headlamp bulbs (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your GMC dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Feb 252017

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,864 miles

The light dim in the rain at night you can't see the lanes on the highway .Turn on fog lights don't help.even when not raining you have no side vision. On rural roads that are hilly low beam leaves you in the dark going in a dip.driving with the line between dark and light is very annoying when lights are on low beam.

- Blaine S., Lake Ariel, PA, US

problem #36

Oct 012015

Sierra 1500 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 621 miles

The lights in this truck suck big time, can't even see 200 feet ahead!! Hate them! Bought new bulbs for $200 and still garbage! Not safe to drive this beast at night!

- moonkd, Prince Albert, SK, Canada

problem #35

Dec 182014

Sierra 1500 LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

I'm so mad be cause I can't drive safely in my truck in the night. I'm a young person and I have no problem with my vision, but driving in my truck at night I have to drive like a blind person.

- Dora Martha J., San José, US

problem #34

Nov 112015

Sierra 1500 Denalli V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

I purchase my 2015 GMC Sierra Denali pick up and love it, everything about it except the lights, THEY FLAT OUT SUCK! I have owned over a dozen new trucks (trade every 2-3 years) and this is the worst for lights that I have ever dealt with. I complained to dealer about them and wanted to see if they could adjust them and was told, "thats the way they are, no adjustment". I found that to be a f#cked up answer. I was in the large machinery sale business for 24 years and that is not a suitable answer, (no wonder Ford sells so many more trucks).

I will be suing GM if and when I get in an accident because of my lack of lights. I own a 2015 Audi Q7 that has incredible lights, (same $$ as new truck) I also own a 2005 Honda S2000 (rides very low the ground) and the lights are almost as good as the Audi. I go out of my way not to drive my GMC truck at night, because I can't see sh*t.

Going to trade by the end of the year and looking like Ford will get the new business. I have written GMC 3 or more times on their surveys and asked someone to get in touch with me to discuss lighting issues/options. Nothing back from them.

- Tim H., Rock Hill, US

problem #33

May 112016

Sierra 1500 All Terrain Package 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Lighting is poor. Rainy nights have to leave the truck parked. If not for the driving lights/fog lights could not drive at night at all. $50,000 and useless at night

- newmedic, S.Easton, MA, US

problem #32

Jan 012016

Sierra 1500 Denali 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

These headlights are terrible! Cannot see to drive. For the prices of these trucks this should be fixed!

- Jim C., West Sunbury, PA, US

problem #31

Aug 102015

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

Just want to add my complaint to the list on the terrible headlights on my 2015 sierra had the new bulbs installed by the dealer but still very inadequate. I guess GMC will wait until enough people get killed before anything gets done , i can't understand why transport Canada doesn't force a recall.

- Dale R., Nestleton, ON, Canada

problem #30

Dec 312015

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles

Can't see road well with these headlights, absolutely terrible. Think it is a major safety issue and would expect lights on a 50 thousand plus vehicle to work better! Have a 2007 vehicle that I would rather drive than this at night.

- David L., Fairfield, VT, US

problem #29

Jul 132015

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155 miles

The head lights have been terrible since the day I bought the truck. Truck has been to the Dealership 6 times for the headlights with 2 upgrades still terrible. The head lights are not safe to drive at night with. GM set the headlights many times high beam is up in the trees, and low beam is blinding on coming traffic. There is no side vision, the worst lights I have ever seen.

- wineman, Volant, PA, US

problem #28

Oct 012015

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

the headlights on my 2015 sierra are horrible. they do not project far enough to provide for safe driving and there is virtually no side lighting when turning a corner.

Update from Mar 15, 2017: driving into a dip you can't see anything on the upslope.

- Thomas S., Metamora, IL, US

problem #27

Mar 212016

Sierra 1500 LX 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,941 miles

Took first trip requiring major night time driving.Headlamps are so dull even on high beam that it was impossible to see the road ahead at times.Very small and dull line of vision and lights were going uphill on the right side and down on the left Bulbs were replaced and being honest,did not make any noticeable difference.These lights are NOT SAFE for night driving.I now use the fog lights when driving at night.

- vibratruck, Mars, PA, US

problem #26

Oct 262015

Sierra 1500 LX 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6 miles

Went to pickup truck after all paperwork was signed for delivery and 4x4 light was flashing.Found bad pin connector at 4x4 module. I allowed repair to be made. 1-29-2015 took in for vibration issues.Told them that the 4x4 light had again flashed and then went out on its own. Found dct and wiring repaired at connector. 3-21-2016 Took truck in for vibration an lighting issues ,and informed them that the 4x4 light flashes on briefly while driving and then goes out. Found no DCT'S and told no problem found .Vehicle operating as designed . This seems to be a common phrase as well as characteristic trait of the vehicle. Others have driven my truck and experienced the light coming on/

- vibratruck, Mars, PA, US

problem #25

Apr 122016

Sierra 1500 4x4 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168 miles

the headlight system on all 2915 GMC 1500 trucks are a MFG defect are extremely unsafe to drive after dark.

the GMC answer is to replace the bulbs and reprogram the computer, this not the fix.

4 dealers have tried this under warranty. with no results.

Spider lights has an aftermarket fix but they are expensive and GMC said this would cancel warranty.

- morehead, Bigelow, AR, US

problem #24

Nov 202015

Sierra 1500 LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Very poor lighting make turn can hardly see. Brights are not bright at all, my 2011 had bright lights. Hard to see in dark. Not safe!!!

- Rosetta H., Fairmont, WV, US

problem #23

Feb 152015

Sierra 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

While GMC did perform TSB #PIT5374, which instructs the tech to replace both headlight bulbs, and to increase voltage to the headlights via the body control module, the performance of the headlights is only slightly better. The truck is uncomfortable to drive at night, and especially dangerous to drive at night in the rain. In addition, one of the new headlight bulbs blew last week, but the GMC dealer replaced it under warranty once he located a bulb at another dealership in town.

- Steven H., Hilton, NY, US

problem #22

Oct 132015

Sierra 1500 LTE 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149 miles

I complained to the dealership the first week that I discovered this headlight problem, which was as soon as I bought this vehicle. At first, they claimed to have no knowledge of the issue, until I kept on pressing them. Then they said that the manufacturer offered a solution by pointing the lights downward more towards the road. They did this and it did nothing to fix the problem. I made several complaints to GM directly, and they claim the lights meet national standards, and can do nothing further which I know is not true. These headlights are dangerous, and will eventually result in deaths. GMC should replace them with headlights that work properly. I paid nearly $60k for this vehicle and I cannot believe how horribly the dealer and the manufacturer are covering up this problem. I even offered to pay out of pocket for new lights and they laughed, saying that would make the vehicle out of warranty. I feel it will only be after people die that anything will be done to address this manufacturing error.

- Daniel L., Barrington, RI, US

problem #21

Aug 012015

Sierra 1500 Denali 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles

The lights and pattern of lighting is VERY dangerous. Very difficult to see when turning.

- Cal C., Veradale, WA, US

problem #20

Jul 042016

Sierra 1500 5.3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,600 miles

I can't see the lines on the road when it's raining at night. White knuckles. I'm scared to drive at night in the rain. .I spent close to $600.00 on dealer installed fog lights and now I blind on coming traffic. My dealer offered no remedy for the poor lights. I bought the truck new in September 2015. The defroster didn't work, found out on the first snow storm, plowing. There also a squeak coming from the driveshaft. Had the truck in the dealer 3 times for that , the squeak is still there so now they say it may be in the exhaust system. Lemon?

- Jeff R., Yorktown Heights, NY, US

problem #19

Dec 082015

Sierra 1500 5,3 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

My 2015 Sierra headlights are pretty dim. If you drive in the city where the street lights are on, you cannot say if your head lights are no or off! If you have to drive at the evening and a moderate rain, be prepared to slow down to 20-25 PMH, just because you will not see the road. Driving in a rural area during the rain is a nightmare.

I spoke to dealer several times. Here are a few responses: 1. Nothing wrong with those lights 2. They all have the same lights 3. We just tested it and it is ok!

Well, I've found out that there was a service bulletin by GM for those lights. So, when I've approached the dealer with that bulletin they told me: 1. There are a lot of trucks with the same problem ahead of me. 2. Please, come back next month. 3. We have to order those parts for headlights....

I should say that on the top of these headlights there is a harmonic vibration issue and during my first 7 months of this Sierra ownership my truck was at the dealer at least for two (2) months!

Update from Aug 12, 2016: August 11, 2016. Repair attempt #1. Just got my truck back from the dealer. They've replaced light bulbs and did some kind of adjustments. I cannot say that I can see any difference. It should be raining this evening or tomorrow. Will try to drive my truck while it rains and it will give me a better idea.

- Eduard L., Cordova, TN, US

problem #18

Dec 292015

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,374 miles

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT IF IT IS A DARK CLOUDY SKY, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SHOW ENOUGH LIGHT TO DRIVE. VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE TO USE THE FOG LAMPS TO PUT OUT MORE LIGHT OUTPUT.

- Randy Z., Billings, MT, US

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