I am writing to express my significant concerns regarding the recurring issues with my 2024 Denali 6.2, which has been subject to multiple service visits since reaching 7,000 miles. Despite these visits, the underlying problem remains undiagnosed and reoccurs shortly after I retrieve the vehicle. Following the second oil change, the engine developed a persistent ticking noise. Over the past 13…
2024 GMC Sierra lighting problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
What stands out
Among the 11 model years of GMC Sierra in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2024 Sierra's lighting system has a serious safety problem in reverse. Owners report that the sealed LED reverse lights are angled too high—shining at chest level on adults, meaning kids at lower heights fall into a blind spot. More broadly, the lights don't put out enough illumination to properly light the backup camera's view at night. In dark parking lots or rural areas without ambient light, the camera image becomes useless—you can only see a foot or two behind you, if that.
Owners say the camera works fine in lit environments like dealer lots, but fails when you need it most: backing in the dark. The sealed light units cannot be adjusted or serviced, and adding aftermarket lights hasn't solved the camera darkness. Several owners mention this is a known defect across the 2023/2024 GMC and Chevy lineup; notably, Cadillac issued a recall on identical units.
One owner also reports complete rear light failure (no parking, tail, or brake lights), though details on repair are minimal. Dealers have told complainants this is a design flaw they cannot fix, forcing owners to rely on the inadequate backup camera or aftermarket lighting—neither a workable solution for a new $80,000 truck.
Failure modes owners describe
Insufficient Reverse/Backup Light Illumination
Reverse lights are sealed LED units angled too high, providing inadequate illumination for safe backing at night. Lights do not provide enough light to properly expose the backup camera image in dark conditions. Multiple owners report the angle aims above chest level on an adult, making it impossible to see small children or obstacles directly behind the vehicle.
When: Occurs at night and in low-light conditions; reported from new vehicle delivery onward
Symptoms owners cite: Reverse lights do not illuminate sufficiently at night; Lights angled too high, missing lower objects; Backup camera image washed out or unusable without ambient lighting; Cannot see objects or people within 3-5 feet behind truck
Repairs/costs cited: Reverse lights are sealed LED units with no adjustment capability. One owner attempted aftermarket lighting solutions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is a design flaw with GMC and nothing could be done. One owner notes Cadillac issued a recall on identical units.
Backup Camera Performance in Low Light
The backup camera produces poor video quality in dark or low-light conditions, rendering it unsafe for backing. Image clarity is heavily dependent on ambient light; camera functions normally in well-lit areas but becomes unusable in dark parking lots or rural areas with no light pollution.
When: Constant issue in night/dark conditions; reported from early ownership (268 miles onward)
Symptoms owners cite: Camera image is too dark at night, visibility limited to 1-2 feet; Cannot see persons or obstacles behind vehicle in dark conditions; Video is clearer in lit dealer lots but fails in dark environments; Rear view mirror display affected as well as main touchscreen display
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection performed in lit garage found no issue. Multiple owners have added aftermarket brighter lights without resolving the camera issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer said nothing could be done; noted as design flaw. Reference to Cadillac recall on identical units suggests known defect in the system.
Third Brake Light/Rear Lights Malfunction
One owner reports that rear lights quit working entirely, with no parking lights, tail lights, or brake lights functioning. One narrative mentions third brake light repair performed by the dealership.
When: Timing unspecified for failure; repair performed by dealership
Symptoms owners cite: All rear lights (parking, tail, brake) non-functional; Third brake light inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Third brake light was repaired at dealership; full rear light outage repair not detailed.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The reverse or backup lights do not properly illuminate, as the angle does not allow for viewing dangers behind at night. The lights are angled to aim way too high, and the lights are aealed. No way to adjuat. An adult standing just three to five feet behind truck, the lights illuminate at chest level, meaning a small child could not be seen at all, even with the rear view camera. Speaking of…
The backup camera in the dark on this vehicle is unusable. Someone will eventually run someone over. I have added brighter lights everywhere on the back of the vehicle and the camera is still useless at night. The dealer told me it looked fine to them (they checked it in a lit garage). There are hundreds of complaints across all forums.
Had lighting trouble with your 2024 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 2024 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2024/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.