Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Headlights were about as bright as a candle while using high beams changed the bulbs and used a head light restoration kit and within a week headlight lenses were hazed over again high beams are no brighter than low beams
The low beam projector headlights are inadequate, especially in rural areas. There is a distinctive cutoff of light, call it a line when on low beam, and beyond that line their is no illumination whatsoever as you would be used to with other lighting designs. You can not see any signs, possible animals, or anything else as you are used to seeing in the light that typically extends beyond other low beam systems. I understand that GM has a TSB for the condition but it is not advertised and from what I can determine on the net does not work regardless and is only a band aid fix. These lights are a safety hazard. I believe this issue May have contributed to an accident I had. ..updated 01/04/17
The headlights on 2015 Sierra 2500hd denali are safety hazards they do not illuminate far enough ahead of you at night to see road hazards in front of you at normal driving speeds, they are especially lacking on rural roads, where animals might be on the roadway. They barely illuminate (very dim and unreadable), the license plate on a vehicle in front of you traveling at regular night time distances, giving you very little reaction time to react in case of hazards. We have a new vehicle less than 3000 miles and find this vehicle very dangerous to drive at night or in poor lighting. The dealer told us there was nothing they could do, considering trying to find some type of after market lighting to add to the vehicle to aid in night time driving.
The projector headlights that are installed in this vehicle from the factory do not provide adequate visibility at night. I am unable to see more that 15 feet in front of this vehicle from a safety perspective. I have returned the vehicle to the dealer multiple times for repair. They changed the bulbs but stated they are working within design specifications and said that GM had used a new type of lighting system in 2015 but realized it is was not adequate and redesigned in later model year. If GM realizes they have a problem why will they not repair vehicles that they sold prior to realizing their mistake? In the rain at night there is virtually zero visibility. GM needs to fix this problem as it is a major safety issue.
While driving at night on rural highways, towing my fifth wheel trailer, in az, ca and or with no other light sources nearby the headlights were dimmer than those I am used to making wild animals and people along the road difficult to see. The instances when I noticed this were all in September 2015 . This morning my dealer, robideaux motors in coeur d'alene, id, checked out the problem and told me that the lights appeared the same as other similar models and they could not duplicate the issue (repair order #193940). I was not surprised as I have seen numerous similar reports on internet blogs and I even understand GM is being sued over the same issue (2013 and 2014 models) in a case in california.
The headlights do not provide adequate lighting of the road which makes it very difficult to drive safely at night . I have tried to work through GMC they changed the bulbs to a different vendor but didn't help. GMC now in the 2016 are using HID bulbs they also used a different lighting system in the 2014 . The local GMC dealer agrees that the lighting could lead to possible accident . The lumen of the bulbs are down around 1200 which is half of the normal lumens to provide adequate stopping or visual of the road. Please help us owners as this vehicle is very dangerous to drive after dark.
Drove off the road because there was virtually no visibility in a dark subdivision. GMC initially denied there was a problem with the poor headlights --I stopped driving the vehicle at night since the $60,000.00 denali truck was unsafe to drive in the dark!!GMC eventually said they had a "bulletin" on the problem and they replaced the bulb and recalibrated the lights. About a 15-20% improvement--I still will not drive the truck at night as it is still unsafe.
Right rear turn signal bottom socket heats up and causes an open to the top turn signal socket so the top turn signal quits working and causes the system to hyper flash.and indicate inoperative right rear turn signal in message center. Only repair is to replace wiring harness and sockets. System works fine in cold temperatures as the socket does not heat up enough. Happens with vehicle stationary and in motion. Contacted GM about it and got nowhere.
I have the tow mirrors and they have LED lights in the mirrors for blinkers and they are extremely bright! When you use your turn signal at night they are so bright that they make it so you can not see on coming traffic very well from the sides of the pickup while at a intersection or when you are trying to change lanes. In my opinion this is extremely dangerous. The blinker leds should not shine directly into the drivers eyes.
The headlights on the GMC 2500 hd are not bright enough. The lights are not able light roads without street lights, makes it very dangerous. Fuel filter has been replaced twice and my truck only has 12,000 miles on it. When I asked with the life of a fuel filter should be I was told by the GMC dealership at least 15,000 miles. It is possible there is a malfunction within the senor for the fuel filter.
Headlight complaints in other Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the lights of the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500, 29% of the model year's 89 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 76% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.