9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$400
Average Mileage:
8,400 miles
Total Complaints:
109 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (51 reports)
  2. recall for different style of headlights (19 reports)
  3. have gm install the 2016 headlight assy's (15 reports)
  4. higher quality light (6 reports)
  5. dealer replaced the bulbs and increased voltage (5 reports)
  6. upgrade headlights (5 reports)
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 lights problems

lights problem

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2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #109

Sep 052014

Sierra 1500 SLE V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,728 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 2014 GMC Sierra SLE brand new. I thought those new projection lights were gonna be bright. I was wrong. I found myself thinking as I drove to and from work (shift work). How come everybody's lights are brighter than mine? You really notice how poor these lights are when the roads are wet. You can barely see the road in front of you, leaving me to think are my lights on. I can see my fog lights but not my headlights.

I eventually bought some plug and play LEDs. The lights are a little brighter but still hard to see the when the road is wet. It's the poor design of only one bulb for high and low beams. The bulbs cost much more than the others too.

I am thinking of going with HIDs plug and play now just don't want to waste more money. It was only till recently I had found out about the law suite on GM for these poor lights. Maybe if enough people complain they will do something about it...

If anybody has any ideas as what to do or what bulb I should go with, please let me know.

- Dremand77 .., Sudbury, ON, Canada

problem #108

Dec 102014

Sierra 1500 SLC 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Headlights are terrible!! I even bought the best leds lights on the market and they still were dim!!

Never going to buy a GM again if they don't fix this!!

- David G., Farmington, US

problem #107

Jul 282014

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,200 miles

Just upgrade to Morimoto HID retrofit kit. You'll see a world of difference. It's worth the work in the end. Spent $200 on the kit and installed myself. Plug and play setup. Takes a little time to do it but you'll be glad you did when you see how bright they are.

- Shane M., Weatherford, TX, US

problem #106

Oct 012014

Sierra 1500 XLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I DONT KNOW IF "GOING OFF" WILL DO ANY GOOD AS I HAVE BEEN "GOING OFF SINCE 2014 ABOUT THIS ISSUE.....GM HAS OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN OFF LOYAL CUSTOMERS INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE.If they were true to their mission statement" Total customer satisfaction is important to us at GMC. They would of contacted all owners of these models and "satisfied" their concerns.

The issue is inferior headlight units that were installed in 2014/15 Chev and GMC trucks. Headlights so bad, that as others have said they are afraid to drive their $40-50 thousand dollar trucks at night. Downright scary driving this vehicle in the rain! I have had my 2014 GMC Sierra into the dealers garage twice with no apparent resolve. I have talked to GMC no less than 4 times and it is just the same old song over and over again. "The headlights are working properly and according to specifications" "There is nothing we can do" That's BS (excuse me) because they know a 2014 "Mountain addition Silverado has a far superior headlight unit installed as do the 2016 Sierras. All they would have to do is swap out the current inferior units for either one of those and that would take care of the problem and "satisfy their customers" . But they wont I'm confident of that and as I told them they are losing a 50 year loyal customer. Goodbye GM.

- Robert O., Hayward, US

problem #105

Oct 152016

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,200 miles

Dealer says that's just the way it is. Maybe could install aftermarket lighting system.

- Christopher B., Wiscasset, US

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problem #104

Jan 122015

Sierra 1500 SLE 4.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

What more can be said about the horrible visibility of the 2014 GMC Sierra headlights?

- Scottie L., Hebron, ME, US

problem #103

Oct 282014

Sierra 1500 All Terrain 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The first time I was driving at night after purchasing my $50k truck I realized how terrible the headlights were. My previous Envoy which was 14 years older had better low and high beams. Every time I get into the truck with my wife, she lets me know how these are the worst headlights she has ever seen.

- Mike P., GrGreenwood Township, MI, US

problem #102

Mar 192018

Sierra 1500 Denali 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,104 miles

Poor headlight have me looking for replacement options that are insufficient. A recall should be made for the entire headlamp housing and replaced with newer assembly.

- Bryan P., Steamboat Springs, US

problem #101

Oct 172017

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

The headlights are very poor on these trucks. They used a sub standard bulb, a cheap projector housing and overall the visibility is poor in all conditions. I bought this truck used and thought maybe it was just the bulbs, I bought replacement bulbs that were brighter, however, the problem is still HORRIBLE. In the rain, you can't see anything at all.

- Christopher S., Blue Bell, PA, US

problem #100

Nov 152014

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

In the first few days after purchasing this truck I took it back to the dealership and complained about the poor headlight performance and they in turn readjusted the headlights which failed to help the problem. First of all there is only up and down adjustment, no side to side as in older vehicles. I continued to complain and just a bout three months ago the parts manager checked to see if there was a bulletin on that truck . There was a bulletin and repair procedure so at that time the headlight bulbs were replaced and voltage heightened. Well the left side was improved and the right side was as bad as before or worse. They of course didn't tell me the right side headlight is the problem on these trucks. I returned again and complained that the shoulder of the road is dark and the service managers response was to use the fog lights. Well that didn't help much and they don't light on high beam. Low beam illumination ends abruptly a short distance from the the front of the truck and high beam illumination is all over the place on the road and no shoulder lighting. The third time I returned to complain Wally (service adviser) brought the vehicle inside the shop and parked in front of the garage door with the headlights on and summoned me from the customer waiting lounge to show me that the light was what he called good. I asked him if he had an eye problem since it was very clear to me that the range of illumination on the right side was visibly much shorter than the left side. Left was across the width of the door and onto the wall and the right didn't cover the width of the door and of course nothing on the wall on that side. He laughed and said the garage door on that side was dirtier than the left side. I told him not to insult my intelligence and to make himself look like an utter fool. I also suggested that maybe in that case he should clean that door and I left before I lost it with him. I recently ran into the parts manager (Smitty) and he told me that he had ordered the new bulbs for that truck and to come in and get them replaced again. So yesterday I took it in and saw him and he said we are slow today so lets do it while you are here. I told him to handle it with Wally as I don't have the patience to handle his stupidity. So apparently the bulbs were changed again and I signed the slip but wasn't given a copy of that repair order probably because it was my fourth time there to get it fixed and makes it qualify for lemon law. The headlights are still inferior on a truck I paid $53000 for and has just 16000 miles on it. GM should be forced to completely replace these lights with HID system before people get killed at nite> I don't drive it at nite as we also have a 2014 Ford F-150 that has some great headlights on it so we drive that. I mentioned to the dealership that I would buy aftermarket HID lights for the GMC and Wally said that that would void electrical warranty on that vehicle. So if you own one of these trucks you should live with it and GM reaped the harvest with no recourse for the consumer. Stinks doesn't it? I learned on the internet that there are 16 recalls on these trucks and I have never been made aware of that fact either by the dealership or General Motors.

- fayr, Randolph, NY, US

problem #99

Nov 242017

Sierra 1500 SLE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,355 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The headlights have always been too dim since I bought my truck brand new in 2014. I haven't driven that much at night in rural areas until recently. At night when it is raining, I can't detect the lines in the road very well which makes it dangerous to drive. Also in dark rural areas, it is too dim to see well without the high beams on.

- Judy P., Albany, GA, US

problem #98

Nov 302016

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,583 miles

I purchased a used 2014 GMC from a dealer and found the head lights to be horrible at night on unlit roadways, country roads etc,They are even WORSE when the pavement is wet to the point I am nervous to drive due to limited visibility,I have been driving for over 40 years and this is the first vehicle that I have been nervous to drive at night.I have had the PIT5374 service done to not much improvement.

- jacksonmb, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #97

Jul 312017

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.38L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

Almost impossible to drive at night in our area. We have the bright lights on and fog lights on and still are having difficulty. Please help us solve this problem it is very very dangerous. We purchased this truck in August of 2017 and have never experienced this problem with any vehicle we have owned.

Why doesn’t GMC engineers keep what works instead of always trying to change and never get it right. Really!

Maybe they should use common sense!

These lights should have been tested by real drivers and this would have never happened!

What can we do?

- Donald D., Gwinn, US

problem #96

Aug 212014

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80 miles

click to see larger images

terrible headlights, poor visibility

Headlights have had this problem since new. Complained about it at first 6 month service check 04/27/15 3997 miles. Dealer did bulletin PIT5374A replaced bulbs and reprogrammed BCM. After driving it for awhile I thought the lights were worse than before. Complained about it again at 1 year service 08/05/15 6453 miles, so dealer adjusted up to high end of spec. Could not see any difference. Took it upon myself to check if they really did replace bulbs, they did, but I found the R/H side installed incorrectly (see photo). Installed bulb correctly, beam points in the right direction but still pretty dim. The dealer actually called me the other day looking for some service work ( I stopped bringing it to them when the free service expired). I asked her if GM had a newer fix for the headlight problem by now and about the class action lawsuit. She actually laughed at the mention of the lawsuit and said she owned a 2014 Chevy pickup and there isn't any problem with the headlights. I explained to her that's why I don't bring my truck in for service and will never buy another GM vehicle. She didn't seem to care. So now I have a call into GM. Is it me or does anyone else get blown off at the service dept. It's at the point that I'm going to install an HID kit myself.

- William O., Salem Twp., US

problem #95

Oct 012014

Sierra 1500 SLE Double Cab 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,369 miles

I have a 2014 GMC sierra 4x4 double cab. The truck is an awesome drive...EXCEPT when it comes to night driving..might as well walk with a $2 flashlight! Headlights are absolutely terrible! I had the upgraded headlight bulbs installed at dealer.....no difference. If on low beam, things are fine for about 20-30ft, on high beam....it is best compared to a spot light or laser....you can see something far away, but nothing in between, and if it is really dark..such as rainy weather or overcast...forget it,,,you are white knuckled for the whole drive from being so nervous. Where I live, moose are a big problem and with these lights, the only way you would see a moose is when its on top of your truck!!!!....heaven forbid a person walked out!. I have seem numerous comments and pictures online about people getting their trucks retrofitted with new and improved lights from 2016 models...this proves GM is aware of the problem and a total recall to replace these headlights before someone is killed!!

- John H., Mount Pearl, NL, Canada

problem #94

Feb 062017

Sierra 1500 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

purchased used GMC Sierra and didn't realize how terrible the head lights were until a few days later when I drove it after dark. Dealer wants $475 to reprogram something and replace bulbs. Research has revealed that this fix is inadequate. I am really disappointed in GMC for not recalling these trucks. I will be going back to FORD for my next truck.

- Johnny D., Orange, TX, US

problem #93

Jan 012015

Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,067 miles

You pay a lot of money for what you thought was a great vehicle. I've been buying gmc trucks for years and the quality of the headlamps has been cheapeed up. What the hell. Maybe i made i mistake and didn't buy another brand !!!!

- Jamie C., Livonia, US

problem #92

Jan 022014

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

The headlights on this truck are the worst I have ever used. At night you can barely see the road and if it's raining its like I don't even have the headlights on. This causes a dangerous situation and I have almost crashed several times because of the poor lighting.

- Larry K., Brunswick, OH, US

problem #91

Mar 262014

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62 miles

The headlights on my 2014 sierra Z71 are pathetic. There is no real difference between the brights and the dims , yet I am constantly being flashed by other drives who I meet on the road. I have complained to the dealer twice about it. The first time they said everything work properly ( The next night drive I took I was being flashed again) complained the second time the they supposedly changed the light and "reprogramed them" no change I still get flashed constantly and see no difference between my dims and brights. I never run with my bright on because they don't help

- cliveschultz, Seven Sisters Falls, MB, Canada

problem #90

Sep 182014

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2 miles

Reported that headlights were very poor to dealer shortly after I purchased. I thought there might be an alignment issue or something but nothing changed even after headlight alignment was checked by dealer. Since we don't drive a lot at night, I decided to let things be and use our other vehicle if we had to travel at night. It becomes difficult in winter when days are short and while adding running lights helps a bit, I have had a number of scary moments dodging items or animals on the road, especially if the road is wet.

I had finally decided that it is too dangerous not to do something about it so began searching on the internet and realized it was a common issue with pre-2016 Sierra 1500 owners. I then attempted to contact the Customer Care Ambassador at General Motors of Canada that I had been in contact with on another issue (rear left body lean which GM was never able to resolve) but, although I phoned and left her messages on three occasions over a two week period, I heard nothing back. Finally I just contacted another Care Ambassador who took down the info and indicated someone would get back to me. It's been over a week and I have heard nothing.

- Gil P., Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada

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