2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 343 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 1% of the 343 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,500 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.
“I was waiting on the oncoming traffic so I could make a left turn. I had plenty of time to make my left turn in front of oncoming traffic, as I proceeded to make my turn all if a sudden my steering wheel locked up, stability trac light came on, my power locks locked and unlocked intermittently and truck engine died. I had to restart engine and it did it again as I was moving attempting to finish my turn. This happens on a regular basis now anytime I have to turn steering wheel it locks up and does this. Sometimes it does everything I stated above but engine doesn't die. This is dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #11130289, filed 2018-09, 59,000 miles“Electrical issue causing sound system, rear camera and radio to shut down completely. Issue started 2 weeks after purchase. Vehicle has been service several times but issue has not been resolve.”
NHTSA complaint #10945041, filed 2017-01, 400 miles“Failed seal on 3rd brake light resulting in complete replacement of brake light required due to water infiltration. Happened in car wash after owning 2yrs 8 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11160768, filed 2018-12, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the headlights failed to illuminate the roadway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the headlights were working according to specifications. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11066976, filed 2018-02, 11,000 milesRelated 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…
- 11014170Jan 27, 2025This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
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 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
106 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
84 complaintsElectrical system
54 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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