RoadVitals

2017 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.
9
Latest Apr 18, 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.
3%
of 351 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.
0
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 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 18, 2025

Total loss of power while in motion on highway going 70 when first happened, got video of problem for shop while going lower speeds. Truck will loose all power the dash will turn off and then turn back on sometimes the engine will cut out completely.

NHTSA ID
11655419
Incident
Apr 10, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 16, 2023

Fully enclosed LED tail light (turn and brake integrated into 1 LED "strip") with no visible moisture ingress/egress system showing retained moisture and no longer functional. Dash light for "rear signal brake light failure" appears. This rear light unit is NOT serviceable or repairable when a light goes out and is fully sealed aside from the reverse light (incandescent bulb and functions fine). LED's should have a lifespan that outlives the vehicle and a major incentive to have LED integration with lighting is the lifespan and reduced need for service. Now the taillight and brake light stop working and can not be fixed without spending <$500 per side. This is a safety issue that seems to be closely related to the issues with the GMC Yukon's of the same generation.

NHTSA ID
11507572
Incident
Feb 13, 2023
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Nov 9, 2022

While making a quick left hand turn at low speed, steering wheel suddenly locked, all lights and electrical went out and engine died. This left me stuck in a busy intersection with no lights. I was able to restart engine after a minute or so. Error message appeared "roll driver side window up, etc." Needless to say, no longer have confidence driving my truck not knowing when this situation may re-occur.

NHTSA ID
11492937
Incident
Nov 8, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 12, 2022

Driver side low beam head lamp is dim, no high beam. No accident nor damage to assembly

NHTSA ID
11484086
Incident
Sep 12, 2022
EngineExterior lightingTransmission
Filed Dec 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and jerk upon acceleration without warning. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that there was a service bulletin that was linked to the failure. Moisture could enter the vehicle through the headlights and cause the electrical and transmission failures the contact was experiencing. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact then called Tameron Buick GMC (27161 US-98, Daphne, AL 36526) and it was stated that they were unaware of such a failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA ID
11445338
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
12,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 23, 2021

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL QUIT OPERATING - THE COST FOR A NEW ONE IS MORE THAN $700

NHTSA ID
11397497
Incident
Feb 21, 2021
Mileage
42,500 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Oct 16, 2019

DISPLAY SCREEN TO BRIGHT WHEN VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY IS SO BRIGHT YOU CAN NOT SEE YOUR EXTERIOR MIRRORS OR OUT ANY OF THE WINDOWS TO SEE SURROUNDING AREA. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE YOU ARE BLINDED WHILE BACKING UP. WHEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THIS. AND HAVE HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS???

NHTSA ID
11268955
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
13,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Oct 14, 2019

ON SCREEN DISPLAY FOR BACKUP CAMERA. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ON SCREEN DISPLAY IS SO BRIGHT THAT YOU CAN'T SEE OUT THE WINDOWS, THE REARVIEW MIRRORS OR THE SURROUNDING AREA. THIS DISPLAY DOES NOT DIM WITH THE REST OF THE LIGHTS. THIS CAUSES A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN TRYING TO BACKUP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11268283
Incident
Oct 14, 2019
Mileage
13,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 26, 2018

DURING NIGHT OPERATION WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ADJUSTED TO PROPER BRIGHTNESS THE INTELLILINK SCREEN IS DANGEROUSLY BRIGHT. THE INTELLILINK SCREEN DOES NOT HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BRIGHTNESS CONTROL FROM THE DIMMER. WHEN SET TO OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM, THE INTELLILINK SCREEN REACTIVATES WITH SUBSYSTEM ADJUSTMENT, E.G. TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT, ABSOLUTELY DESTROYING NIGHT VISION OF THE DRIVER. IF ADJUSTING THE BRIGHTNESS LEVEL TO ACCEPTABLE FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE LIGHTING AND INTELLILINK THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS SO DIM THAT IT REQUIRES UNSAFE LEVELS OF DRIVER ATTENTION TO PROCESS THE DIMLY LIT INFORMATION. IN ADDITION THE BACKUP CAMERA IS ALSO TOO BRIGHT AS WELL IN REVERSE CAUSING A DISTRACTION. GM CUSTOMER SUPPORT WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THIS WAS AS DESIGNED WITHOUT A DIMMER AND THEY WILL FILE A COMPLAINT AS PER MY REQUEST.

NHTSA ID
11065044
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
27 mi

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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .