Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The projection style headlights do not illuminate the roadway sufficiently enough at night to travel more than 30 MPH. While traveling on rural and mountain roads you cannot see far enough to see obstructions, wildlife or pedestrians at night. The horizontal cutoff line of the lights on low beam does not allow you to see the tops of small rises in the roadway as close as 30 feet away. With this style of projection lighting there is no spillage of light above established light shade cover setting on low beams. It is completely dark above this line with low beams selected. This does not give the driver a chance to see objects in the roadway at a safe distance to allow for safe braking or avoidance. The high beam setting is pitifully weak in intensity. I must strain to see out at the distance necessary to stop at highway speeds. …
Vehicle low beam head lights have very poor coverage and brightness. When driving at night. They barely light the road in front of the vehicle and coverage side to side is very weak. Additionally when it is raining out, it is like driving with no headlights on at all. To have better head lights I would have had to buy special lighting option available only on a higher-up model of GMC Sierra truck. All models of GMC Sierra 2015 trucks should have adequate headlights without having to buy the top/ more expensive model to get them. GMC should be required to recall all GMC Sierra 2015 trucks and refit them with adequate lighting before bad accidents occur as a result of this deficiency. I have never experienced such poor lighting with a vehicle driving at night or in rain. It is unacceptable on a new GMC truck.
Projector headlights on 2015 Sierra is very dim compared to other vehicles. Tried adjusting but did not help. Very poor visibility in unlit dark roads and streets and poses risk. I tried bringing it to the dealer but they could not do anything about it. I mentioned several complaints from other owners including a class action law suite that was filed in california in October 2015. Unfortunately, there are no other alternatives with the exception of purchasing aftermarket headlights. I would like GMC to fix this known problem. Apparently they did as they changed the 2016 models' headlamps and incorporated higher lumens on lighting, why change it if it was not a problem in the first place? It's very difficult to see pedestrians and objects at night.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the low beam headlight was defective and did not provide adequate light coverage. The contact had to engage the high beams. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer raised the low beams; however; the light coverage was not corrected. The failure mileage was 300. ..updated 05/09/16 the consumer stated right after he purchased the vehicle, he noticed when driving at night, with the low beams on, his visibility was approximately 30 feet to the front and side of the vehicle. When the high beams were on, he was able to see ahead of him, but the view was still limited to only 30 feet. Updated 05/16/16.
I purchased this vehicle new August 2015. The headlight projection and illumination on this vehicle is extremely poor especially during wet roads or raining conditions. I have to use the fog lights at all times and still do not have adequate lighting. I feel this situation can and will result in serious injury or death due to lack of proper lighting. I was appalled to find out general motors only use a single halogen bulb instead of a dual filament lamp or a combination low and high beam lamps. I personally nearly hit a pedestrian during a rainy situation, and also feel unsafe operating this vehicle at dark.
Headlight performance is very poor with weak yellow beam both on low and high beams. Difficulty seeing during night driving, especially at highway speeds in dark areas, is very hazardous, even worse during rain. I am concerned about my safety and that of my family while driving this truck at night. The projector-style headlamps on the vehicle were dim with a yellow color and provided inadequate front and side illumination. The headlight aim was raised, which resulted in little improvement.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra. While driving at various speeds, both low and high beam head lamps failed to fully illuminate, which diminished the contact's visibility. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. Updated 04/06/16 the consumer stated the vehicle lights are working, but they do not illuminate the road well enough. Updated 11/21/2017
Headlights have been adjusted by the dealer twice. The headlights are a single bulb design (low and high beams from one bulb). If low beams are adjusted to adequately see the road during night driving the high beams point into the air (approx. 10 feet in the air at 100 feet from the vehicle). If the beams are adjusted to allow the high beams to illuminate the road properly; when switched to the low beams there is insufficient light on road to drive safely at 55 MPH.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the headlights low beam failed to provide adequate light coverage making it very difficult to drive at night and the high beam also failed to provide sufficient light coverage. The dealer advised that the headlights were operating as designed. The headlights were not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 731.
The projector headlights are inadequate on a level road, and are dangerous on rolling terrain roads and curves. They could be possibly designed for stationary use in a perfect enviorment but not for moving vehicles, I cannot safely drive this vehicle at night, I fear not only for myself but for other people on and near the path of this vehicle. My mind is clear, there are many blowing the whistle.
Headlight complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2015 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the lights of the 2015 GMC Sierra, 40% of the model year's 75 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 GMC Sierra headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2015 GMC Sierra, 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 1,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
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.