2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 305 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 1% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,500 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.
“Passengers side low beam jiggles up and down when going over small bumps. Dealer tells me its a common issue with the projector style headlights but cannot be replaced under warranty until GM recognizes it.”
NHTSA complaint #11175156, filed 2019-02, 4,000 miles“Passenger side headlight jiggles up and down constantly over every small bump. Very distracting and leaves many black areas on the road from lack of light. Fix this immediately!”
NHTSA complaint #11185013, filed 2019-03, 3,000 miles“The left rear tail light assembly is subject to direct wheel spray resulting in premature corrosion and failure of the lightbulb and wiring harness. Failure first occurred Within 18 months of ownership. I cleaned the contacts and packed the connection with dielectric grease. However after three years the bulb connection is now totally corroded and the circuit has failed requiring harness replacement. The problem is so widespread, replacement wiring harnesses for the left rear tail light assembly are out of stock and unavailable from GM parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #11463891, filed 2022-05Related 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 2018 GMC Sierra 1500
131 complaintsEngine
67 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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