Common GM Headlight Problems

From time to time, you may find an issue with your GM vehicle. Many GM owners encounter issues with their headlights. Whether you're in the same situation, or you simply want to avoid headlight problems, this list is for you.

This list covers the 3 most common problems GM owners have with their headlights.

1. Melting Headlamp Driver Module

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If you check the fuse block under the hood, you'll find the headlamp driver module. Many different mid-2000's GM vehicles had excessive heat buildup under the hood. Often times, the heat buildup caused the headlamp driver module to melt. When this happens, the low-beam headlights and daytime running lamps stop working. In 2014, GMC recalled almost half a million cars and trucks from the following divisions:

• GMC
• Chevrolet
• Buick
• Saab
• Isuzu
• Pontiac

Do you think your GM vehicle may have this headlight problem (no low beam or daytime running lamps)? Check the headlamp driver module in the fuse box. See if it's melted or damaged in any other way. If it is, call your GM dealership and see if the recall will cover the replacement.

2. Corroded Headlight Components

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Many Cadillac SRX owners have found out the hard way that their low beam headlights were prone to dimming too much over time. Driving with headlights that are too dim is pretty dangerous. This drastically reduces visibility and may cause accidents.

This problem occurs because the exterior housing unit is prone to premature wear. This allows moisture to enter the headlight housing and corrode the headlight components. This leads to:

• Electrical short circuits
• Condensation inside the headlight assembly

Drivers with corroded headlight components will see extreme dimming in their low beam headlights. In some cases, their low beam headlights work intermittently. Their low beam headlights will fail sooner or later. A common solution is to turn on the high beam headlights (and blind upcoming drivers). Neither situation is safe at all.

This is such a common issue that a class action lawsuit against GM was filed in 2019.

Have your low beam headlights become too dim? Whether you have a Cadillac SRX or another GM vehicle, see if your headlight components are corroded. If they are, or if you find any other problems, you want to replace the assembly ASAP. We carry a full selection of genuine OEM headlights and components at rock bottom prices. Check out our catalog today!

3. Bulbs That Are Too Weak For The Headlights

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Many 3rd gen GMC Sierra owners have complained about their headlights being too dim. In the previous generations of this truck, GMC used three different bulbs for the Sierra's headlights:

1. A H11LL bulb for the low beam headlights
2. A 9005LL bulb for the high beams
3. A 5202 bulb for the fog lights

For the third generation Sierra, GMC switched to only one 9012 halogen single filament bulbs for both the low beam and high beam headlights. When the high beams were switched, a shutter in the headlight assembly would lift to allow more light to project down the road. This design was very flawed, and resulted in a lot of complaints:

• The light output was too low, reducing visibility to dangerously low levels
• The beam pattern was too restrictive

Nice trucks like the Sierra shouldn't come with budget headlights. GMC learned from its mistake because it redesigned the headlights in 2016. Yet, 2014 and 2015 Sierra truck owners were still plagued with this problem. GMC provided a way to fix this problem to dealers. The company provided instructions on calibrating the body control module to send more voltage to the headlights.