Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% | 99,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 78,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% | 21,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2006 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | 15,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% | 268,000 miles |
| 1999 | 18 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 2 | 0% | 20,000 miles |
| 1996 | 8 | 2% | — |
| 1995 | 5 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the driver's side low-beam headlight was pointing inward, affecting his visibility of the roadway. The contact stated that the failure later occurred with the passenger's side low-beam headlight. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
The headlamps are defective and unexpectedly break causing them to aim basically straight down towards the pavement making it unsafe to drive at night. In February of this year I took the vehicle to Cox Chevrolet in Bradenton and they said the headlamps would need to be replaced and it would cost several thousand dollars. I rarely need to drive at night and have been taking our son's car since then. There is a chance one broke and I didn't notice at first then the second one but, at this point, it is unsafe to drive the vehicle at night. I have found several posts on online forums where owners of other GM/Chevrolet vehicles with the same headlamps have had the same experience. Some have mentioned that an adjuster pin breaks and is not repairable (which I have confirmed with a service advisor at another Chevrolet dealership). I am [redacted] who drives responsibly (i.e. …
The entire electrical system shuts down including lights while driving down the road. No driving light or display at night for about 30 seconds then come back on. System also loses all displays on dash during the day as well.
When I bought the Suburban it was daylight...everything checked out fine. Then the next morning I went to back out of my driveway in the dark and almost hit a car. The backup camera screen is so bright you cannot see anything except very bright light in your eyes. That first few mornings I thought well I'll read thru the manual about how to adjust the brightness. I have now looked thru the book several times and we have established ...there is no adjustment offered.. This is a definite hazard and now I see from a search on the internet..we are not the only ones with this problem. My 2014 Suburban did not have this issue...so they must have changed something, the adjustment..brand of camera, something. This needs to be fixed before someone gets hurt..if a person in dark clothes walked behind me I could not see them because of the brightness. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at night, the headlights did not function properly and would turn off inadvertently. The vehicle was originally taken to the dealer and diagnosed as headlight failure, and the bulbs were replaced. However, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and the dealer notified the manufacturer of the recurring failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
As I was driving 75 mph down the highway my collision alert flashed all my lights turned off, including my headlights and all interior lights as it was dark time and they flashed back on a couple of times until they finally stayed on. I pulled over and as I came to zero, speed, the vehicle completely shut down. It did start back up, but this is not the first time I get a light on my dash that says stability track and then everything resets and I don't have any lights on at all after that this has been happening off and on I also have three coworkers that have the same make, and year that experienced the same problems ! My situation on the highway was very dangerous. It was pitched dark outside and I lost vision due to my lights going off at 75 mph and my steering wheel also locking up. The next time the vehicle does it I will take a video for proof. …
Headlight assembly leaks and retains significant amounts of water resembling a half filled fish tank. This causes the bulbs to burn out or corrode the light power supply leaving you with no headlights! This is a very common problem across many GM platforms. I am surprised the Government regulators have allowed a safety problem this wide spread and known to continue unaddressed.
State rejects vehicle citing moisture inside a sealed headlamp assembly is a safety hazard. Thousands of complaints posted online. GM/Chevrolet admits the sealed assemblies are defective however they do not offer any assistance whatsoever regarding replacement of the defective equipment and further stating they cannot be repaired. Dealer has quoted a price of up to $1,400 to replace the headlamp assembly on my vehicle. This issue first appeared with less than 40,000 miles on the vehicle. The moisture accumulation can increase or decrease with rain or other atmospheric conditions. The electrical contacts within the housing of the sealed lenses rust causing the lamps and turn signals to intermittently go on and off and fail altogether. Once failed, attempts to replace the bulbs have been unsuccessful due to the oxidation and/or rust accumulation on the lens housing contact points.
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022.
NHTSA investigations
HEADLIGHT
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (18), 2015 (10), 2002 (9), 1996 (8) and 2000 (7) model years. Headlight complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-903 (software, Dec 8, 2022); 22V-827 (software, Nov 3, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (24 mentions), followed by the turn signal (6).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.