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2021 GMC Sierra 1500: headlights failing or too dim

6 of the 603 complaints about the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 22 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

  • 2026
    1
  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    2
  • 2023
    6
  • 2022
    5
  • 2021
    6
  • 2020
    5
  • 2019
    3
  • 2018
    3
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    89
  • 2014
    146
  • 2013
    3
  • 2011
    2
  • 2010
    2
  • 2009
    2
  • 2008
    2
  • 2007
    1
  • 2005
    3
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    1
  • 1999
    1
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Jun 13, 2026 · Engine, Lights · NJ

While coasting down or under very light acceleration between 12-20 mph the vehicle has a shudder like driving over a highway rumble strip. While cruising on the highway at 65+ mph, the vehicle has a light shudder or vibration. Vehicle has been checked numerous times for wheel and tire inconsistencies. Brake pads and rotors have also been replaced with no change in issue. Headlights daytime running light changes color from bright white to purple during warm weather. The vehicle has been to 3 different GM dealerships and they acknowledge the issues but do not provide a resolve.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Engine · OH

L87 engine failure 4 months after it passed the recall test. Experienced shuddering and rpm fluctuation with the cruise control set. Was thinking torque converter. Got it replaced under warranty and the the issues were still there. A week after new TC the truck was running very rough driving down the road. Check engine light along with a low oil Pressure warning and Lost all engine power going 60mph. Would not re fire. Had to coast to a stop with no headlights on only fog lights. Truck is at dealership now will be needing a new engine. P0016 engine code. The truck was in the shop multiple times for misfire and rpm’s jumping and cruise control turning off on its own.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Driver assistance · FL

Vehicle experiences a failure to the Lane Departure Warning and Intellibeam headlamps functions, primarily at night. Trouble first began on 3/12/2023 and has been to two GM dealerships for 11 repairs and the problem is still unresolved. GM Executive Escalations have been opened and the problem is still unresolved. Their response is that 18 vehicles experienced this problem and the resolution was to clean the front windshield and update the camera software. This truck has had the camera replaced and software updated three times by two different dealerships. GM is now stating they are unwilling to resolve the problem any further and they would no longer send any Field Engineers to investigate the problem. I have numerous photos, videos and repair logs from with the problem and resolutions performed. Nature of problem: At night, the indicator button for selecting the Lane Departure Warning will go out. If the button is depressed, a message in the DIC indicates Lane Departure Warning Unavailable and there is no way to activate the LDW. It also causes the Intellibeam headlamps to not work. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · VA

See attached vehicle repair orders/Carfax/vehicle registration. The trucks transmission has been slipping/jerking hard since I pulled off the lot at dealer ship. Its burning oil no leaks has been doing so since the day I drove off the lot at dealership. I have asked to fix or address and problem still exist. They sold vehicle as everything was working The Left head light wasn’t working the day I drove off the lot didn’t notice until I got home I reached back out to dealer to explain and said light had a short in kept truck for almost a week said the were going to replace the head light and never did. The remote start wasn’t working the same day i purchased the truck but sold it as everything is working. I went to try it as I was getting ready to leave dealership and did nothing. Then I discovered the fog lights were missing, and dealer said oh there was never any in the truck but if you read the service paper work there was lights in truck. Took truck back to address the issues the next day or so after purchase I was told to bring truck back the following week. All the conditions still exist and I should not be having any of these issues as the sold vehicle nothing wrong. They even had an October inspection saying everything was SAT but I get in truck no fog lights and left head lamp is not working but they performed an 360 inspection….yeah no way… This truck is doing the same as my 2021 chevy Silverado but there is nothing wrong with vehicle according to dealership. Sold A Lemon if you asked me… ***Highlighted in yellow is a recall that the dealership has not done nor can they find anything on the recall**** *****Power train**** Recall date 2024-10-24 Recall no. 24V797000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel en

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · Lights · NV

During winter/snow driving snow accumulates on the headlights and causes a partial to total loss of visibility. This has happened multiple times during winter months. Cleaning the headlights requires exiting the vehicle in a potentially dangerous situation. This may occur after every few miles or less depending on the conditions.

Filed Dec 23, 2021 · Engine · 10,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed several times but failed to respond. The parking brake, traction control, brake, engine, and headlights warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the warning message "Limited Power" was displayed. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with his two feet from a standing position and the vehicle decelerated and he pulled into a driveway. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the vehicle software needed to be updated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 headlights

Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

6 of 603 owner complaints about the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 (1%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2014.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 22 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

Engine failure 115Check engine light 111Loss of power 65Knocking 56Misfire 25Oil consumption 21Stalling 21Shudder 19Won't shift 19Jerking 18Won't start 17Hesitation 15Transmission failure 15Harsh shifting 13Overheating 11Warning lights 11Fire or smoke 10Grinding brakes 9Slipping 8Adaptive cruise 7Power steering loss 7Steering lock-up 7Screen failure 6Ball joint 5Fuel pump 5

All model years of the GMC Sierra 1500

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