While driving in the rain, the windshield wipers were on the highest intermittent setting and the high beam headlights were also on, automatic highbeams were not. The high beam lights dimmed to low, and the windshield wipers stopped in the middle of the windshield in the middle of navigating a sharp right hand turn at 35mph. The wipers stopped for approximately 30 seconds and then resumed operation. When the wipers resumed operation, the headlights also turned back on high with no input from the driver.
2023 GMC Sierra 1500: headlights failing or too dim
6 of the 516 complaints about the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
Was driving my 2023 GMC Sierra in a mild snowstorm after leaving the grocery store and heading home. It was about 10 minutes after dark and it has just started snowing. I was only 5 minutes down the road and the visibility in front of me suddenly & drastically declined. I could barely see the road. I could barely make out anywhere to turn out to. Once pulled over, I walked to the front of the truck and the headlights AND fog lights were completely covered in snow. I wiped them off with my hand and could then see great again. Well, 5ish minutes down the road again and they were back to completely covered. Twice I wasn't able to pull over, due to the steep terrain and no shoulder so, I had to push on, traveling at no more than 4MPH. And getting out during one of the 7 cleanings, I almost slipped and fell. It took me 48 minutes to get home. A trip that usually takes 25! The HID headlights on my other truck don't have this problem. And the aftermarket LED headlights on another vehicle of mine have built in heating elements. You would think the OEM would've thought of this option but, they don't offer it! If it wasn't for my 20+ years experience of driving in the snow, I would've been left stranded or wrecked/totalled the truck due to this major safety oversight!
The issues with my vehicle began when the radio intermittently cut off or froze. Despite several attempts by the dealer to resolve the problem, they were unsuccessful. Early on, various electrical components failed to load or perform correctly, with the dealer attributing this to software updates. Currently, when the radio cuts off or freezes, I experience additional problems: the headlights randomly flash between dim and bright, the heads-up display fails to load or shows incomplete information, the collision detection activates with no objects around, and dynamic cruise control becomes unreliable or fails to engage. The wipers operate randomly, and the vehicle stalls when the auto start/stop feature is engaged. Random warning lights appear on the dash, and each day brings new, different issues. A new symptom involves the vehicle not recognizing the keys are inside, causing it to shut off and lock me inside. This recently happened while I was driving at low speed in a parking lot, which poses a serious safety risk. On the interstate, safety issues are more concerning: headlights flashing on and off, dynamic cruise control failing, BLIS and collision control activating unexpectedly, and the vehicle locking me inside with keys in the truck. My children are scared to ride in the vehicle due to these issues. The dealer claims they cannot replicate the problems, despite videos I’ve provided showing malfunctions. They acknowledge the issues but blame them on software updates. Multiple updates have been applied, but the problems continue and are becoming more frequent, affecting more systems. The vehicle is under warranty, but as of December 13, 2024, the dealer has refused to service it. After the dealer completed some work, an independent inspection confirmed the issues persist. Warning messages and malfunctioning lamps have been captured on video. Problem has been reported from first service approximately 6/2023 as radio malfunction / electrical issues
Component or system failure: headlights and interior lighting Safety risk: Complete failure of the headlight system and all interior lighting, including the dashboard during active driving. System failed during nighttime driving while in motion. Reproduced?: No Inspected?: No Warning lights/system messages: None present at time of failure
--Unwanted Reduction in The Front HVAC Blower Speed and Loss of Radio, Auto AC not working as designed --driver seat vibrating as the lane departure warning activated; I had turned the seat vibrate function off on 25 June 2023. I then went into settings to turn the function off again, and the system would not allow to make the change, it stayed in vibrate function --the passenger front window will not go up automatically, had to hold the button to make the window go up all the way. I then had a message in the DIC, that said, “Open and close passenger door”. I did so, at the next stop, but the message stayed on the DIC and the window still would not go up automatically with the button -- when the vehicle is operated and the AC is NOT on, just the fan, and windows down, and the auto temp set at 68 degrees, when at idle, there is an obvious increase in very hot air coming from the vents and stays that way until the vehicle is back in motion. Then it seems to adjust back toward normal outside air. During all this operation the recirculation is open to outside air --auto rain sensing windshield wipers; stops at full arc and hesitates during operation --driver side review mirror does not go back to preset 1 position, when put in reverse, both mirrors tilt lower, as I have set, but when put back into drive, the driver mirror does not fully recover until I push the 1 setting --DIC message of key not in vehicle, even when the key is in vehicle and vehicle is in motion, the DIC message stays on screen saying key not in vehicle --with AC in ON position, cold air stops and very warm/hot air starts coming out for about 30-60 seconds, then cold air starts coming out again, happens during driving and stopped, at any speed --Truck WIFI does not connect automatically SOFTWARE NOT UPDATED FROM GM- OTHER SAFETY ITEMS ARE AFFECTED --Auto headlights --Auto brakes --Auto wipers --Auto systems not working as designed
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night on an undulating roadway, the contact noticed that due to the narrow vertical area of illumination of the head lights, front visibility was severely reduced, with the lowest portion of the area in front of the vehicle receiving little to no illumination. The contact stated that the failure was not present while driving on a flat roadway. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 1,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb...
- This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and...
- Exterior lighting
- Exterior lighting
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License...
- Exterior lighting
- Exterior lighting
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V‑827.
Recall number 22V903000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
6 of 516 owner complaints about the 2023 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 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
There is 1 recall and 13 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
Engine failure 120Check engine light 61Loss of power 58Knocking 30Stalling 21Won't shift 18Jerking 12Won't start 12Fuel pump 11Adaptive cruise 10Transmission failure 10Oil consumption 9Grinding brakes 8Harsh shifting 8Overheating 7Power steering loss 7Shudder 7Hesitation 6Warning lights 6Backup camera 5Screen failure 5Misfire 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history