RoadVitals

2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
148
Latest Aug 27, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 737 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 148 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 148, in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the headlights were dim, reducing the contact's ability to see the roadway while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for the headlights' replacement. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, and there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 370,000.

NHTSA ID
11683380
Incident
Dec 20, 2024
Mileage
370,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at various speeds, the front headlights failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the headlights were dim and foggy. The failure limited the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure recurred, and the contact was no longer driving the vehicle at night due to the safety concern. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11664651
Incident
May 3, 2023
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 29, 2024

The high and low beams quit working while driving at night. This caused safety issue for myself and other drivers. Fuses good and bulbs good. Have seen multiple listings online about the same thing happening to other owners.

NHTSA ID
11617098
Incident
Sep 26, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 16, 2024

The headlights are dangerously dim, can't drive the vehicle comfortably at night. There seems to be no solution for fixing them. A TSB has been issued concerning this, but does little to address fixing the problem.

NHTSA ID
11583283
Incident
Apr 16, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 6, 2024

Back up lights and Tail light problems My Back up lights turn on when the headlights are turned on and do not shut off unless the headlights are off. Also, recently, the rear tail lights were burning out early and would last only two weeks. The source of the problem seems to be in the fuse box. There is no short in the system. It appears to be in the fuse box of the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. Bulbs were replaced and burned out quickly. Replacement parts are expensive and this problem exists on other Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

NHTSA ID
11575827
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 27, 2024

Both headlamps stopped working when driving at night. Neither the low or high beams will work

NHTSA ID
11568185
Incident
Jan 26, 2024
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Dec 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the passenger’s side headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the water pump had failed. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The next day upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and both engine fans began to run at full capacity. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11558717
Incident
Dec 5, 2023
Mileage
160,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the headlamps were extremely dim while driving at night, making it difficult to see the roadway. The dealer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,468.

NHTSA ID
11502122
Incident
Jan 31, 2014
Mileage
54,468 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the low-beam and high-beam head lights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11491283
Incident
Oct 27, 2022
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 2, 2021

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY PICK-UP ARE ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH. I HAVE EVEN GONE TO THE EXPENSE OF HAVING BRAND NEW ONES INTALLED AND THEY ARE NO DIFFERENT IN THE LIGHTING. I CAN BARELY SEE ONE CAR LENGTH AHEAD OF ME WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH IS PROHIBITING ME FROM USING MY PICK-UP FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING. THIS IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE SPENT SUCH A LARGE SUM OF MONEY FOR A VEHICLE AND NOT BE ABLE TO SEE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THERE SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
11431488
Incident
Sep 2, 2021
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Dec 24, 2020

2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 4WD ~75K MILES. SOMETIMES WHEN I ROLL UP MY WINDOWS OR USE MY BLINKER AND IT SHUTS OFF CRUISE CONTROL (HWY). AND SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT MY BREAKS MY HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM (HWY, CITY STREETS, PARKING LOTS). WHEN I'M TURNING SLOWLY (IN PARKING LOTS) THE STEELING WILL OCCASIONALLY LOCK UP AND ONCE IT LOST POWER ENTIRELY. MY BATTERY WAS TESTED AT BIGO AND SAID IT WAS FINE. I'VE SEEN THIS ONLINE A LOT FOR THIS TRUCK AND SIMILAR YEARS, BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE A RESOLUTION. WITH SO MANY INCIDENTS I'M SHOCKED THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX OR ANY IDEA WHAT IS WRONG.

NHTSA ID
11384874
Incident
Dec 24, 2020
Mileage
70,000 mi
Driver assistanceExterior lighting
Filed Nov 23, 2020

THE REVERSE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING WHICH IS AFFECTING THE REAR CAMERA AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
11376038
Incident
Nov 20, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 27, 2020

HEADLIGHTS IS SO DIM NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT SEEN WHERE LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME ISSUES AND GM NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE ALL THERE 14 AND 15 BETTER THEY FIXED IT IN THE 16 TRUCKS I HAVE TRIED TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND SEEN SOMETHING ABOUT A FIX BUT SAY IT DIDN'T HELP SO HOPEFULLY CAN GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND HATE IT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11326254
Incident
Jan 23, 2020
Mileage
113,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 27, 2020

POOR HEAD LIGHTS DOESN'T SHOW THE ROAD VERY POOR LIGHTING READ WHERE WAS OTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326106
Incident
Jan 23, 2020
Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 29, 2020

THE FACTORY INSTALLED HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO BAD THAT YOU CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT ONE OF THE WORST MOST DANGEROUS ISSUES I'VE EVER SEEN ON A VEHICLE PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW WE CAN REMEDY THE SITUATION

NHTSA ID
11322696
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 17, 2020

VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ARE DOWN RIGHT DANGEROUS AT NIGHTTIME TO THE POINT IT'S NOT EVEN SAFE TO OPERATE AT NIGHT BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE WHERE YOUR GOING,ESPECIALLY ON HILLY TERRAIN AND CURVY WINDING ROADS. THE TIME YOU REACT YOU WILL BE OFF THE ROAD RESULTING IN A CRASH, BRINGING INJURY OR DEATH TO ONESELF OR ANOTHER OCCUPANT ON THE ROADWAY. LIGHTS OR WAY TO WEAK AND NOT LOCATED IN THE RIGHT SPOT ON TRUCK MAKING HALF YOUR VIEW IN COMPLETE DARKNESS WHEN GOING UP AND DOWN ON HILLY TERRAIN. FOR THE LIFE OF ME CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE IN THE DAY AND AGE WE LIFE IN. PLEASE GET THIS RECALLED AND SAFE PEOPLE'S LIFE. ACCIDENTS MAY HAPPEN AND SOMEONE MIGHT GO OFF THE ROAD AND GET KILLED AND NO ONE WILL KNOW WHY THEY WENT OFF THE ROADWAY JUST THINKING MAYBE THEY FEEL ASLEEP AND THE REAL RESULT WAS IMPROPER HEAD LIGHTING AND LACK OF VISION TO STAY ON THE ROADWAY. PLEASE HELP GET THIS ON THE RECALL LIST AND IT'S NOT EVEN A EXPENSIVE FIX. HELP SAFE LIFES! THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11321374
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
99,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2020

THE HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION IS INADEQUATE BOTH ON LOW AND HIGH BEAMS. JUST UPGRADED FOR THE 2ND TIME THE BULBS FOR WHICH I HAVE ASCERTAINED THAT THE ILLUMINATION DOESN'T PROVIDE FOR MY PERSONAL SAFETY AS WELL AS FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. THIS IS NOT MERELY MY OWN OBSERVATION BUT FOR ALL THOSE WHO EITHER DRIVE OR ARE PASSENGERS IN THIS VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC FORUMS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM...THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANY CORRECTIVE SOLUTION. PLEASE, I IMPLORE YOU TO REVIEW AND FIND SOME SOLUTION TO GM'S INHERENT PROBLEM. IF PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN INJURED AND OR MORE SERIOUSLY (KILLED), IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. I CURRENTLY HAVE 60 K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER WITH 20K MILES. I HAVE HAD 2 INDEPENDENT GM DEALERSHIPS LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION.

NHTSA ID
11298610
Incident
Jan 11, 2020
Mileage
20 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WELL AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN BULBS. THE CONTACT UPGRADED TO LED BULBS, BUT THE ILLUMINATION DID NOT GET BRIGHTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLIE'S CHEVROLET (877-688-4621, LOCATED AT 1412 U S 202, WINTHROP, ME 04364) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT UPGRADED TO HID BULBS ON HIS OWN, WHICH OFFERED BETTER LIGHTING THAN THE ORIGINAL BULBS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ID
11297445
Incident
Aug 2, 2019
Mileage
20,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jul 12, 2019

THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND IT LOOSES ALL POWER RANDOMLY WHEN TURNING , IT IS NOOW STARTED TO SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC WHEN LIGHTLY TAPPING THE BRAKES..

NHTSA ID
11231504
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Mileage
88,208 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 15, 2019

HAVE A BAD TAIL LIGHT ON MY RIGHT SIDE AND TOOK IT TO ELHARTS TO SEE WHY IT WON'T LIGHT UP WITH NEW BULBS AND THEY SAID THAT THE WHOLE TAIL LIGHT HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS BAD WIRING I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE DONE WHEN IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM THAT IT WAS BAD WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO MY TRUCK THE PART ALONE WILL COST 215 .00 PLUS I HAVE TO PAY TAXES PLUS LABOR COULD BE TOTALLY NOT HAPPY WOULD LIKE NOT TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET IF I DON'T GET IT FIXED IT WILL CAUSE A ACCIDENT THAT COULD BE VERY BAD

NHTSA ID
11187123
Incident
Mar 15, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 11, 2019

HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLT ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE ON HIGH OR LOW BEAM. THE LIGHTING DISTANCE IS INADEQUATE AND IS SO DIRECTIONAL THAT THERE IS NO SIDE FLAIR LIGHTING FOR TURNING LIKE YOU HAVE WITH CONVENTIONAL HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY THE NHTSA. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 41/2 YEARS AND THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION. NEW HI/LOW BULBS, DEALER INSTALLED AND STILL VERY DIM AND UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID
11176188
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 6, 2018

INTERIOR LIGHT FLASHES WHEN STEPPING ON BREAK PEDAL

NHTSA ID
11156673
Incident
Nov 20, 2018
Mileage
24,115 mi
Driver assistanceExterior lightingSteering
Filed Oct 25, 2018

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ROLLED THE PASSENGER WINDOW UP THE STEREO CUT OFF THE GAUGES CUT OUT AND THE WIPERS WIPES IN ONE TIME. THEN A MESSAGE STATING STABILITRAK NEEDED TO BE SERVICED AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WAS OUT

NHTSA ID
11142578
Incident
Oct 24, 2018
Mileage
74,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 4, 2018

THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT HAVE SUCH POOR ILLUMINATION IT RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE AT NIGHT. GM SAYS NOTHING WRONG, I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WITH 3 DIFFERENT BULBS BOTH OEM AND AFTERMARKET NOTHING IMPROVES THE ILLUMINATION WITH THE STOCK LIGHT HOUSINGS.

NHTSA ID
11083195
Incident
Apr 15, 2014
Mileage
2,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 19, 2018

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO POOR THAT IT FEELS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. ON TOP OF THAT, WHEN IT'S RAINING AT NIGHT, I TRY TO AVOID THE ROADS.

NHTSA ID
11080116
Incident
Jun 13, 2016

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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