Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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.
The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words
my rear window defrost turned on when i auto started my pickup. i realized it was on after about a half hour and looked back and my drivers side of the rear sliding window was shattered completely
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact’s son closed the front passenger’s side door, and rear window glass exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 163,353.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact was informed by the dealer upon purchase of the vehicle that there were three recalls on the vehicle. One of the recalls was related to the rear defroster which the dealer informed him was repaired. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle he smelled an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the vehicle but thought nothing of it. The next day while driving the vehicle, the contact felt a rush of air entering the vehicle and upon inspection discovered that a baseball sized hole had formed on the rear windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him to a dealer for an inspection. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the windshield was replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Started my truck and started driving. It was a very foggy night with lots of mist in the air, so I turned on the defroster to clear fog/dew from the side view mirrors. About 10-15 minutes later I hear a very loud pop inside the truck. It turns out my rear driver side window was completely exploded/shattered. This seems to be a known issue in these trucks.
Rear defroster (with sliding rear window) thermal events with arcing and hissing, smoke smell present. Matches the same description as provided in document N192265660. GM will not cover my vehicle because it was not delivered to a dealer in any of the states listed in the document. There is evidence in the vehicle of thermal events, however GM wants me to pay $1000-$1500 for a new rear sliding window.
On 9/22/2020 a recall service was performed on my defroster/ power sliding rear window under N192265660. On 1/13/2022 I was driving down the road with the rear defroster on, a smell of burning plastic and a low hissing noise. I was in the process of pulling over to inspect this and the back window of my pickup burst, sending me swerving onto the side of the road. I booked an appointment with the dealer, they are telling me they cannot replace this since the recall was already serviced. Obviously the fix GM is putting into our vehicles is as dangerous as the original design. This needs to be remedied and GM needs to be held accountable, bursting rear windows can cause terrible accidents, luckily I am safe.
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON THE STREET, PARKED. I ENTERED IT, AND TURNED ON MY FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTERS WITH THE SETTING ON "HI." I TURNED AROUND AND VERIFIED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN HIT NOR WAS ANY DAMAGE AT ALL APPARENT TO ME. AT SOME POINT AS I SAT THERE WITH THE CAR IDLED AND THE HEATED AIR REACHING ITS MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOME FOUL SMELL IN THE CAB THAT I BELIEVED WAS EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW. AS I BRUSHED THE SNOW FROM THE FRONT AND BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY, I HEARD A NOISE THAT I BELIEVED WAS THE SNOW FALLING FROM THE ROOF. HOWEVER, AS I ROLLED AWAY, I NOTICED A LOUDER-THAN-NORMAL CABIN. UPON LOOKING BEHIND ME, I NOTICED THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW WITHIN THE SLIDING REAR CABIN WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT. UPON INSPECTING THE AREA, I NOTICED THAT NO SNOW OR WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE. GIVEN THAT WE HAD RECEIVED A LOT OF SNOW THE PREVIOUS EVENING THROUGH THE MORNING, HAD THE DAMAGE OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE EVENING OR EARLY MORNING, THERE WOULD'VE BEEN MOISTURE PRESENT.
USED THE REMOTE START TO WARM THE TRUCK UP. GOT IN AND WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. READ DEFROST WAS ON SINCE WE RECEIVED 6+ INCHES ON SNOW TODAY.
THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT SUDDENLY, JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS AN ISSUE KNOWN TO GM AS THEY ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECTS IN PROPOSED CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS IN 2 STATES REGARDING THIS DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WENT TO AUTOSTART THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS SMOKING AND EMITTING A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE AUTO REAR DEFROSTER AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WEST HERR CHEVROLET OF HAMBURG (LOCATED AT 5025 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, HAMBURG, NY 14075, 877-308-1785), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A GLASS COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: X_XX/XXX/XXXX. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. *LN MANUFACTURER CASE NUMBER: X_XX/XXX/XXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RADIATOR LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOODWIN CHEVROLET BRUNSWICK (LOCATED AT 195 PLEASANT ST, BRUNSWICK, ME 04011, (866) 675-8244) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE BRAKE AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
REMOTE STARTED CAR. UPON ENTERING AND TURNING IGNITION ON A STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED. WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN EMITTING FROM BASE OF DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW BEHIND MY CHILDS CAR SEAT. MOMENTS LATER A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND WINDOW SHATTERED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME AND RUNNING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES.
REAR POWER SLIDING WINDOW IMPLODED AFTER REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. CAR WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN A SOUND LIKE A RIFLE SHOT OCCURRED FOLLOWED WITH A CLEAR SOUND OF AN AIR LEAK INTO THE CAB. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 25 DEGREES.
HEADLIGHTS - LOW ARE DIM AND NOT MUCH SIDE VISIBILITY. TRAVELING ON RURAL BACK ROADS AT NIGHT IS DANGEROUS. DEER WALKED OUT IN ROAD AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE IN TIME. SECOND DEER I HIT WITH THIS TRUCK, ONLY HIT ONE OTHER DEER IN MY LIFE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED GAY BUICK GMC AT (832) 769-4379 (LOCATED AT 3033 GULF FWY, DICKINSON, TX 77539) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONDENSER WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4727896957. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARNEY BUICK GMC MAZDA (LOCATED AT 260 HOGAN RD, BANGOR, ME 04401, (866) 240-4451) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,911.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, HOT AIR EMERGED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WHILE IT WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BECK AND MASTEN BUICK GMC NORTH, 11300 FARM TO MARKET 1960 RD W, HOUSTON, TX 77065, 281-469-5222) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND SHATTERED INTO PIECES. MCNEILL CHEVROLET BUICK IN SWANTON, OHIO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
HEADLIGHTS ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. ADD A BIT OF RAIN AND IT IS REALLY SCARY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2015 GMC SIERRA SLT ARE BY FAR THE WORST HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN THE MANY VEHICLES THAT I HAVE DRIVEN OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS. HOW THEY PASSED WHATEVER SAFETY STANDARDS THERE ARE SET IN PLACE IS BEYOND ME. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A WIDE ENOUGH BEAM TO SEE AROUND TURNS OR WILDLIFE THAT MAY BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY NOR DO THEY LIGHT UP ENOUGH OF THE ROAD IN DISTANCE TO SEE ANYTHING AT ALL BEYOND APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET WHILE TRAVELLING IN THE DARK. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED DURING THE DARK. SADLY THE HIGH BEAMS ARE COMPLETELY USELESS AS WELL. THERE IS MORE LIGHT OUTPUT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FOG LIGHTS (WHICH ISN'T SAYING MUCH) THAN THERE IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. DRIVING IS THE RAIN IS EVEN WORSE. YOU CANNOT EVEN TELL THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THAT'S HOW BAD THEY ARE. I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND GM DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S JUST HOW THEY ARE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THEM". I WAS GIVEN A 2016 SIERRA AS A LOANER VEHICLE WHILE I HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR THIS AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES AND THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2016 VEHICLE THEY LOANED ME ARE A BIG IMPROVEMENT OVER THE 2014-15 LIGHTS. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL 2014-15 SIERRAS DUE TO THESE SEVERELY HAZARDOUS HEADLIGHTS AND FORCED TO INSTALL THE LIGHTS THAT COME ON THE 2016-17 SIERRAS.
FIRST OF ALL THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND AT NIGHT CANNOT SEE NOTHING.DEALER SAID IT IS WHAT IS .VERY BAD !! ALSO MY SIERRA ON WINDOW STICKER STATES COMES WITH ALL TERRAIN TIRES IT DOES NOT HAVE ALL TERRAIN TIRES . THEY ARE 265/65/R18 GOODYEAR WRANGLER SRA .I WORKED FOR GOODYEAR AND THOSE TIRES ARE ALL SEASON !!! NOT ALL TERRAIN AS SPECIFIED ON WINDOW STICKER !! I TALKED TO DEALER AND CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT GM THEY NEVER CALL BACK AND THEY SAID THOSE ARE THE RIGHT TIRES.THEY ARE NOT ACCORDING TO MY ATTORNEY WHO STATES THE WINDOW STICKER IS TOTALLY INCORRECT AND IS FRAUDULENT CHECK YOUR TIRES AND WINDOW STICKERS AND COMPARE AND LOOK ON GOODYEARS WEBSITE YOU WILL SEE.ALSO MY TRANSMISSION CLUNKS AND KNOCKS AND SHIFTS INCORRECTLY DEALER STATES ITS NORMAL I SPEND 40K ON A NEW TRUCK AND ALL I HAVE ARE PROBLEMS AND GM DOES NOTHING. IT DOWNSHIFTS HORRIBLE WHAT CAN I DO???
VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 MONTHS OLD. I WAS GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65 MILES PER HOUR AND A HUGE CRACK OCCURRED IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP DRIVERS SIDE CORNER TO BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE CENTER OF THE CAR. NOTHING IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD, IT JUST CRACKED.
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP OR HESITATE AT TAKEOFF. THE RUNNING LIGHTS ARE TOO DIM TO SEE DOWN THE ROAD.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2015 GMC SIERRA K1500 SLT. I SELECTED THE SLT FOR THE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS WHICH ARE NOT OFFERED ON THE LOWER TRIMS FOR IMPROVED LIGHTING. HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE EXTREMELY POOR ILLUMINATION (CANNOT SEE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, VERY DIM, POOR PROJECTION IN FRONT) IN LOW OR HIGH BEAM. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE THE WORST ON ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS. I ALMOST HIT A DEER ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT, DRIVING 35 MPH, BECAUSE THE DEER COULD NOT BE SEEN IN THE VISIBLE ARC OF THE LOW BEAMS UNTIL TOO LATE. THE DEER WAS STANDING ON THE ROAD FOG LINE. I LOCATED A GM DOCUMENT ON SEVERAL TRUCK FORUMS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. ORIGINAL DOCUMENT # 4093100, PIT5374 (2/27/2015) AND FOLLOWUP DOCUMENT # 4109395, PIT5374A (3/9/2015).
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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