GMC/CHEVROLET: THE HEADLIGHTS ON SOME SNOW PLOW EQUIPMENT BECOMES INOPERATIVE AFTER SWITCHING FROM FACTORY TO SNOW PLOW USAGE. MODEL 2014 SILVERADO 1500, 2014 SILVERADO, 2014 SIERRA 1500, 2015 SIERRA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Silverado lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 32,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Silverado | 6 |
| 2013 Silverado | 3 |
| 2014 Silverado | 17 |
| 2015 Silverado (this page) | 22 |
| 2016 Silverado | 12 |
| 2017 Silverado | 14 |
| 2018 Silverado | 3 |
| 2019 Silverado | 9 |
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of Chevrolet Silverado we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 22.
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.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have installed an aftermarket bed cap or topper may question where they can wire in the center high mounted stop light for the cap or topper. Provisions for the center high mounted stop light have been provided at the Rear Body Junction Block (X63A) connector X6 terminal 1.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado report widespread headlight inadequacy. The projector-style low-beam headlights emit a narrow, dim beam with poor peripheral visibility and a sharp cutoff pattern that makes it hard to see the road edges, shoulders, and oncoming traffic. Multiple owners say the low beams are too dim to drive safely at night, even with high beams activated. One owner notes that high beams perform better because both the low and high beam lamps illuminate simultaneously, but the single low-beam lamp is insufficient for night driving.
A separate issue involves cracked headlight lens assemblies (specifically the daytime running light lenses), with spider-webbing cracks that worsen over time and reduce light output. One owner reports a fractured lens assembly at 65,216 miles; another mentions cracking starting slowly and becoming very noticeable.
Third brake light seals leak water into the cabin, staining headliners with brown discoloration and potentially promoting mold growth. Repairs cost around $153, but some owners report the issue persists even after gasket and seal replacement.
Owners also report moisture-induced corrosion in rear tail-light wiring harnesses, disabling turn signals. Side-mirror turn signals with integrated LEDs cause glare that impairs nighttime visibility. Additionally, one complaint describes backup lights illuminating during door unlock and access, creating false movement indicators that confuse approaching drivers and pedestrians. Headlight bulbs fail frequently—one owner reports burnout every two months across different bulb types.
Same Chevrolet Silverado lighting reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Low-beam headlight inadequate output and beam pattern
Projector-style low-beam headlights produce dim, narrowly focused light with sharp cutoff and limited peripheral visibility, making night driving unsafe.
When: Evident from purchase or early ownership; failures reported at 700, 10,000, 11,500, 14,100, 50,000, and 65,216 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dim low-beam light output; Narrow beam pattern with poor peripheral vision; Sharp cutoff line limiting visibility to sides; Inability to see road edges, shoulders, or oncoming traffic clearly; Poor visibility on wet roads and during rain; High beams brighter than low beams
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose or repair; manufacturer stated lights meet NHTSA standards and no recall was issued; one dealer offered repair but owner required to pay half cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed lights meet NHTSA standards; GM confirmed issue with technical bulletin stating fogging is normal
Cracked headlight lens assemblies
Front headlight lens assemblies develop spider-webbed cracks over time, primarily on the daytime running light lenses, reducing light output.
When: Starts gradually over time; one failure at 65,216 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spider-webbing cracks in lens assembly; Cracks develop slowly and become increasingly noticeable; Reduced light output from affected assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement headlight assemblies available; one dealer quoted half-cost owner responsibility ($153 mentioned for related brake light repair)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mechanics and service writers acknowledged this is a known defect that GM is ignoring; owners report seeing complaints on the internet
Third brake light water leaks into cabin
Third brake light seals fail, allowing water to leak into the cabin and stain the headliner, with potential mold growth.
When: Occurs during wet weather; reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in headliner near rear passenger seat; Brown staining across headliner above rear window; Discoloration from water intrusion
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs approximately $153; attempted fixes include new gaskets, silicone sealant, and replacement light with new seals, but leaks persist in some cases
Rear tail-light wiring harness corrosion and moisture intrusion
Moisture enters rear tail-light wiring harnesses on both sides, causing corrosion in electrical plugs and turn-signal failure.
When: One owner reports both left and right turn signals required replacement within 8 months of each other
Symptoms owners cite: Moisture and corrosion in electrical plugs; Turn signal malfunction or failure on one or both sides
Repairs/costs cited: Turn signal replacement required; owner replaced both units within 8 months
Side-mirror integrated turn signal LED glare
Towing/camper side-view mirrors with embedded red turn signal LEDs have no shielding, causing excessive brightness that impairs vision and creates direct glare into driver's eyes.
When: Occurs at night when turn signals activate
Symptoms owners cite: Bright red LED glare shining directly into driver's eyes; Extremely difficult to see outside vehicle in direction of turn; Impaired nighttime visibility
Backup lights illuminating during door unlock and vehicle access
Backup lamps activate when the driver is accessing or egressing the vehicle or actuating the door lock remote, even when the vehicle is off and not in reverse, creating a false movement indicator.
When: Occurs when driver accesses/egresses vehicle or uses remote door lock
Symptoms owners cite: Backup lights illuminate when vehicle is off and not in reverse; Vehicle appears to be reversing when stationary; Confuses approaching drivers and pedestrians; Creates false movement indicator that conflicts with FMVSS 108 and SAE J387 standards
Front turn signal visibility obstruction
Front turn signals are not visible when viewed from directly in front of the vehicle due to chrome trim and integrated daytime running lights, creating a safety hazard for drivers in intersections.
When: Evident during daylight and nighttime operation
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal blinking not visible from front of vehicle; Chrome and headlight/DRL integration obscures signal; Oncoming drivers unable to see turn signal
Headlight bulb premature burnout
Headlight bulbs fail frequently regardless of type (LED, halogen, or incandescent), with reported replacement intervals as short as two months.
When: One owner reports new bulbs lasting approximately two months
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid bulb failure across all bulb types; Repeated burnout requiring frequent replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple bulb replacements required within short intervals
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2015 Chevrolet Silverado?
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 2015 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 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 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 14,100 and 62,500 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,100; a quarter make it past 62,500. 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/2015/Chevrolet/Silverado.
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.