2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 355 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the visibility of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, 3% of the 355 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“On screen display for backup camera. When putting the vehicle in reverse, the on screen display is so bright that you can't see out the windows, the rearview mirrors or the surrounding area. This display does not dim with the rest of the lights. This causes a severe safety hazard when trying to backup the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11268283, filed 2019-10, 13,000 miles“Back window started smoking next to handle to open sliding window then shattered then started falling out. I was moving and in in reverse backing up when this happened. (left section of back window)”
NHTSA complaint #11395619, filed 2021-02, 36,158 miles“Truck was started using auto start and I drove roughly a mile down the road smelt burning and looked in the back seat, I saw smoke and promptly pulled to the side of the road shut the vehicle off then I heard a loud pop and saw the back drivers side window shattered.”
NHTSA complaint #11737629, filed 2026-05“While using the rear defrost my daughter smelled burning. Moments after the smell the rear window exploded. This is a sliding three part window and it shattered on the passenger side. My daughter was hit by the exploding glass.”
NHTSA complaint #11715880, filed 2026-02“Started my truck to go to the store. When me and my son got in we could smell like hot plastic burning. Figured someone was burning trash so we proceeded to the store. About a mile down the road it sounded like someone fired a gun inside the cab of the truck. So being a combat veteran it triggered me! I instantly swung for the back seat thinking someone was back there and noticed the rear sliding window on the drivers side had blown and shattered. I found a recall online that gm had put out about this specific issue happening. So when I called Varney Gmc of Bangor Maine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11512332, filed 2023-03Related service bulletins
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11006511Jul 31, 2024This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1% |
| 2025 | 7 | 6% |
| 2024 | 10 | 3% |
| 2023 | 7 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 7 | 1% |
| 2020 | 15 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 12 | 3% |
| 2016 | 14 | 4% |
| 2015 | 26 | 4% |
| 2014 | 21 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 11 | 19% |
| 1997 | 14 | 17% |
| 1994 | 10 | 77% |
Other parts of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500
118 complaintsBrakes
108 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsElectrical system
54 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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