2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 284 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500, 2% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The day time running light on the drivers side is staying on and wont shut off at all and I had my job look at it and it is the junction box. However I have had multiple people tell me they have had this issues”
NHTSA complaint #11395352, filed 2021-02“The contact owns a 2011 Gmc SIERRA 1500. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the bumper fog light assembly was fractured on the front driver side. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10627181, filed 2014-08, 33,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Gmc SIERRA 1500. The contact stated that the low beam headlights shorted randomly since 2011. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, but was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and recommended that the vehicle be taken to a second dealer. The contact had been waiting for years for the manufacturer to provide a remedy. The failure mileage was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10904382, filed 2016-09Related service bulletins
- 11026022Jun 2, 2025This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer…
- 11017243Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer…
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10239629Jul 13, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer…
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10232137Feb 14, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 15 | 4% |
| 2023 | 11 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 93 | 13% |
| 2014 | 148 | 20% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 3% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
113 complaintsOther or unknown
73 complaintsBody and structure
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology