GENERAL MOTORS 2014-2015 GMC SIERRA, GMC SIERRA 1500: SOME VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING POOR HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE WHEN DRIVING IN RURAL DARK AREAS. UPDATED 1/22/16.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 GMC Sierra lighting problems
moderate 193 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
193
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 193 lighting complaints filed for the 2014 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of GMC Sierra we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 193.
Owners have filed 193 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GENERAL MOTORS 2014-2015 GMC SIERRA, GMC SIERRA 1500: INFORMATION REGARDING POOR HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE WHEN DRIVING IN VERY DARK RURAL AREAS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 GMC Sierra headlights are the top complaint in this cluster. Owners describe low-beam output that illuminates only 20–75 feet ahead with a sharp cutoff, leaving road shoulders completely dark. The projector system uses a mechanical shutter to switch between low and high beams, but both modes are inadequate. High beams cast light up into trees rather than down the road. Owners in rural areas report being unable to see pedestrians, deer, or debris until too late, and some have been forced to avoid night driving altogether or crawl well below speed limits.
The root cause is the single-filament bulb paired with a narrow-angle projector lens designed with a mechanical shutter. GM released TSB PIT5374 in February 2015 directing BCM reprogramming and VOSLA HIR 55-watt bulb substitution, but owners consistently report minimal improvement. Some dealerships won't apply the TSB or claim the bulbs are unavailable. Condensation inside lens housings further reduces light output in wet climates.
One owner reported both headlights shutting off simultaneously on a dark coastal road, though the dash indicator showed lights on. The Intellilink radio screen presents a separate safety issue: its bright display cannot be independently dimmed and lacks night mode, forcing drivers to choose between readable instrument gauges and excessive glare that ruins night vision.
Owners are frustrated that 2016 Sierra models were upgraded to HID bulbs incompatible with 2014/15 hardware, confirming GM knew the design was inadequate. Despite 193 complaints and widespread internet discussion, no full recall has been issued.
Same GMC Sierra lighting reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Inadequate low-beam illumination
Low-beam output is dim and projects only 20–75 feet ahead with a sharp cutoff pattern, leaving roadside areas in complete darkness. The projector design with a mechanical shutter creates a narrow beam that concentrates light in the center without adequate peripheral spread.
When: Evident from purchase; continuous during night driving
Symptoms owners cite: Dim, narrow beam casting light directly ahead only; Sharp cutoff approximately at hood level or 20–75 feet in front of vehicle; No illumination of road shoulders or sides; Difficult to see at highway speeds; driver can outdrive the lights; Worsens in rain, fog, and unlit rural areas
Repairs/costs cited: TSB PIT5374 (February 2015): BCM reprogramming to increase bulb voltage; VOSLA HIR 55-watt bulb substitution. Owners report minimal improvement. Bulb replacement multiple times without resolution. Dealerships unable or unwilling to apply TSB.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB PIT5374 (BCM reprogram + VOSLA HIR 55W bulb); GM 2016 models upgraded to HID bulbs incompatible with 2014/15 hardware; GM told owners the system 'operates as designed' and vehicle 'performs as designed'; no recall issued despite widespread complaints
Inadequate high-beam performance
High beams produce minimal additional illumination on the road. The mechanical shutter opens to allow more light through the projector lens, but the lens is angled such that the light is cast too high, illuminating trees and sky rather than roadway or shoulders.
When: Continuous during night driving; no timing or mileage-dependent pattern noted
Symptoms owners cite: High beams point into trees or sky above road level; Minimal increase in road visibility compared to low beams; Does not improve side illumination; High beams sometimes appear dimmer than low beams; Cannot assist with identifying pedestrians or wildlife on roadside
Repairs/costs cited: Adjustment attempts by dealerships; raising lights to factory specs worsens downroad visibility. Owners report aftermarket LED and HID bulb upgrades provide better illumination than factory setup.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2016 Sierra redesigned with HID bulbs; no retrofit offered for 2014/15 vehicles; no recall or comprehensive TSB addressing high-beam deficiency
Inadequate side and peripheral illumination
Road shoulders and roadside areas are essentially unlit on both low and high beams. The projector system concentrates light in a narrow forward beam with virtually no lateral spread, making turns, curves, and pedestrian detection hazardous.
When: Continuous during night driving, worsened on curves and unlit rural roads
Symptoms owners cite: Complete darkness on road shoulders and sides; Cannot see ditches, pedestrians, or wildlife on roadside until vehicle is very close; Driver must crawl or stop to safely navigate turns; Nearly struck pedestrians and wildlife multiple times; Fog lights provide slightly better side illumination but are inadequate alone
Repairs/costs cited: No factory repair available. Owners have installed aftermarket fog lights, driving lights, or light bars as temporary workaround, but these are ineffective with oncoming traffic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall addressing lateral illumination; 2016 redesign changed headlight housing but no retrofit available
Headlight condensation and water intrusion
Moisture accumulates inside headlight lens housing, creating fog and water droplets that further obstruct light output. Dealer attributed this to design—bulbs generate sufficient heat to create airflow through cooling vents that draws in moisture.
When: Observed in wet climates (Pacific Northwest noted); 2–6 hours for moisture to clear
Symptoms owners cite: Visible condensation or fog on inner lens surface; Water droplets inside lens housing; Halo effect around bulb filament (noted in one case); Additional obstruction of already inadequate light output
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of entire headlight assembly costs ~$900 per unit and only performed if condensation covers >50% of lens. No preventive repair offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed to normal design feature; only replacement at customer cost; no TSB or warranty coverage for this condition
Complete headlight failure (both low and high)
Both headlights shut off simultaneously while driving, with dash indicator still showing lights on. Isolated incident in one vehicle, but indicates potential electrical or control module failure.
When: Occurred at night on dark, curvy road near ocean cliffs at 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Both headlights extinguished without warning; Dashboard symbol indicated lights were on; High beams also inoperative; Fog lights still functional
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle brought to dealer; repair status not stated in complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not documented in complaint
Intellilink touchscreen brightness control interference
The 8-inch Intellilink radio touchscreen has independent brightness control and no night mode, making it much brighter than the instrument cluster. Excessive brightness of the screen ruins night vision and distracts driver from road.
When: During night driving when interior lights dimmed for safe driving
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen remains bright blue even when instrument cluster dimmed to near illegibility; No automatic night-mode color scheme shift; Screen reactivates automatically when any vehicle control adjusted; Driver must navigate multiple menu steps to manually turn off screen while driving—hazardous distraction
Repairs/costs cited: No repair offered; dash brightness dimmer switch can reduce radio screen brightness only if lowered to minimum, rendering instrument cluster lights too dim to read safely
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated system 'operates as designed'; no software update offered; multiple calls to customer service did not result in remedy
Synthesized from 193 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 GMC sierra 1500. The contact stated that the headlights on vehicle failed to illuminate properly. The headlights were dim and impaired the contact's vision. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
The headlights on this truck are unsafe. They do not put out enough light on dark nights and especially on nights were there is rain. They do not reach beyond the edge of the road way past the fog lines,. Or extend that far up the road in front of the truck. *tr
The headlight performance on this truck is the worst I've seen in any vehicle, but for a truck, I cannot believe they are allowed on the road at night. The owner's manual states they are factory set and do not need adjustment. That information was obviously not checked during the quality check or checked but felt it was as good as it gets. On high beam, the driver's side light is pointing so…
The headlights are very dim. I can not see very far down the road and I can not see the shoulders of the roadway. It is not very safe to drive this vehicle at night with the factory installed headlights.
Headlights are too dim in 2014 GMC sierra. To the point of dangerous to pedestrians and wildlife. The lights hinder the ability of drivers to see and avoid anything that may wonder into the vehicles path. By the time the headlight illuminate the object it'll be too late! "save some life", persuade general motors to fix future vehicles and possibly recall existing ones. *tr
The headlights are very poor. I have owned many cars and the lack of night vision with the 2014 sierra is the worst of any car I have ever driven. I used to work on my family farm back in the 1980s and our old tractors and combines had better night visibility than my brand new sierra. GMC, you must fix this now! I guarantee you will have a major lawsuit on your hands if you don't. This is…
I bought my 2014 GMC sierra brand new in dec 2014 and had it back to the dealer within 3 weeks because I was sure there was a defect with the headlights ! You can only see maybe 30 feet in front of you and nothing if you make any turn on a dark road with no streetlights ! The mechanic at the dealership said there was no problem with the lights and they meet all general motors specifications ...I…
Had lighting trouble with your 2014 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2014 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 193 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 79 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 4,000 and 35,600 miles, with the median around 13,400. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,000; a quarter make it past 35,600. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.