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GMC Exterior Lighting Recalls Cover Flickering Headlights and Brake Lights
GMC lighting problems in these notices involve lights staying on, failing to illuminate, flickering, or being difficult for other drivers to distinguish. Daytime running lights that remain on with the headlights recur in the November 2022 notice for 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles and the December 2022 notice covering 2022–2023 Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. Separate brake-light problems affect GMC G3500-based ambulances with Whelen lights and 2022 Sierra trucks with accessory sport bars. The 2024 Canyon notice addresses flickering headlights, while the 2024 Sierra EV notice concerns front turn signals whose brightness is too similar to the parking lights.
Warning signs to watch for
- November 3, 2022, and December 8, 2022, daytime running light recalls: DRLs may remain on when the headlights are on.
- May 3, 2019, ambulance brake-light recall: brake lights may illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed.
- June 30, 2022, Sierra sport-bar recall: the accessory high-mounted brake light may not function.
- September 12, 2024, Canyon recall: headlights may flicker while driving and while parked.
- October 10, 2024, Sierra EV recall: activated front turn signals may be difficult to distinguish from parking lights.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
The supplied notices contain zero stop-driving instructions and zero park-outside instructions. The November 3, 2022, and December 8, 2022, daytime running light notices do not tell owners to stop driving. Neither does the May 3, 2019, ambulance brake-light notice or the June 30, 2022, Sierra accessory sport-bar brake-light notice. The September 12, 2024, Canyon flickering-headlight notice and October 10, 2024, Sierra EV front turn-signal notice also do not tell owners to stop driving. These notices provide no separate instruction to park outside.
What the free repair involves
The November 2022 DRL remedy is an OTA body control module update; December's permits dealer or OTA updating. Whelen replaces recalled ambulance brake lights. Dealers inspect sport-bar installation and correct wiring if necessary, replace a headlight module for the Canyon recall, and replace the headlamp multipurpose LED driver module for the Sierra EV recall. These remedies are free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 1 |
| medium | 4 |
| low | 1 |
Models affected most
Where owners report exterior lighting problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under exterior lighting for the GMC models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Exterior lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2024 GMC Canyon | 159 |
| 2018 GMC G3500 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2024 | GMC Sierra EV Front Turn Signals Too Dim | low |
| Sep 12, 2024 | GMC Canyon Recalled for Flickering Headlights | medium |
| Dec 8, 2022 | GM Vehicles Daytime Running Lights Stay On | medium |
| Nov 3, 2022 | GM SUVs: Daytime Running Lights May Not Turn Off | high |
| Jun 30, 2022 | Silverado and Sierra sport bar brake light may fail | medium |
| May 3, 2019 | Ford and GMC based ambulances may show false brake lights | medium |
Common questions
Which GMC daytime running light recalls offer an OTA update?
The November 3, 2022, notice for certain 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles specifies an OTA body control module software update. The December 8, 2022, notice covering certain 2022–2023 Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles permits dealer or OTA updating.
What is wrong with the Sierra accessory sport-bar brake light?
The June 30, 2022, notice concerns certain 2022 Sierra trucks with an accessory sport bar. Its high-mounted brake light may not function, and the bar may block the existing light. Dealers inspect installation and provide correct wiring if necessary, free.
Do the Canyon and Sierra EV lighting recalls use the same repair?
The September 2024 Canyon notice specifies replacement of a module in the headlight for flickering. The October 2024 Sierra EV notice specifies replacement of the headlamp multipurpose LED driver module for front turn-signal visibility. Both remedies are free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.