Home · 2013 GMC Yukon Denali · Complaints

What 145 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 GMC Yukon Denali

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (145)Crash / fire / injury (5)Airbags (50)Body & structure (30)Engine (11)Electrical system (8)Steering (4)Transmission & drivetrain (4)Brakes (2)Fuel system (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)Engine & cooling (1)

8 of 145 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters

Dec 17, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

The truck locks start locking and unlocking on their own, the stabilitrac and traction control will cycle between on and off, the motor will shut off, it goes to limp mode, check engine light comes on, traction control light comes on, abs light comes on, it has stalled in drive throughs on the interstate, driving around town, the vehicle is at pat clemons gmc in boone iowa, they replaced the bcm and it is still happening, there is an nhsta campaign #14V61400 for a chassis control module recall, this vehicle vin is not in that, but it does exhibit all the symptoms mentioned in the recall, very much a safety issue as it can happen anytime, especially when it is raining or snowing, started about a year ago

NHTSA ODI 11497876

Sep 7, 2022SteeringElectrical systemEngine

Monday 5th 2022, (2pm)I was driving with the AC on high as I had just left the mall. The interior was hot. As I left the mall and came to a stop light...the car would rev at stop, and continue to do so until the light changed. I had the oil and transmission fluid changed at 135000. It is currently at 138000. I turned off the AC because it did not seem to work (to cool the car down) and rolled the windows down and open the sun roof. Tuesday 6th, I was leaving the store (4pm) and again I turned the AC on and approached a stop light. When I stopped at the light, the car started revving or idling in pulses again as it did on Monday, however as I went to turn right onto the street, there was no power steering at all. Startled, I pressed the brake, shifted into park, turned the SUV off. Then restarted the SUV and the steering had returned to normal. I kept the AC off and drove home.

NHTSA ODI 11483232

Mar 24, 2022SteeringElectrical system

When driving my steering wheel jerks causing vehicle to veer, stabilitrak snd traction lights flash, lights flicker all the while driving. Vehicle nearly lost control while doing so. Auto shop cannot duplicate the issue nor any codes pop up . Very dangerous for a family while we are driving and saw many complain about this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11458259

Jan 27, 2022Electrical system

There is an issue with the radio head unit that causes a high pitched noise, even when the radio is off. It happens with anything connected to the radio, like the indicator, seatbelt warning, door ajar warning. The high pitch noise causes migraines and nausea in drivers and passengers. Issue has been ongoing for months. All 3 radio heads installed by dealer have emitted this sound. Dealer refuses to send in 3rd new unit. Relief from sound only happens when the fuse for the radio head unit is pulled. Attaching a picture of the sound frequency after opening the door, car not on.

NHTSA ODI 11449139

May 24, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE STABILITRAK AND ABS SYSTEMS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT RUNS THE INSTRUMENTATION FOR THE AIR,HEAT AND BLOWER. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A CRACK ON THE DASH IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THIS HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY THOUSANDS ON THE INTERNET. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS BUT THEY ISSUED A CASE #. THIS CASE # APPLIES TO ALL THREE PROBLEMS FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11097750

Apr 26, 2018Electrical system

AROUND 50K THE SIDE DETECTION WARNING SYSTEM AND PARK ASSIST QUIT WORKING. UPON TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIRS WE FIND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AT A SHORTAGE..DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF REPAIRS. WE CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY STATE THERE IS NO RECALL AND OUR REPAIR WILL BE OVER $1000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR PRACTICE SINCE THEY ARE AWARE THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11090248

Aug 21, 2017Electrical systemAirbags

CRACKING DASHBOARD! DEEP CRACKS RUNNING UP TO AND ALONG THE AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI 11016435

Oct 14, 2016Electrical system

TAKATA RECALL - FROM DAY TO DAY THE BACK HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. TOOK TO GMC DEALER AND COULD NOT FIND CODE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE FOR 1 MINUTE AND RECONNECT AND WORKS FINE.

NHTSA ODI 10916191

Working with the data? Download all 145 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 GMC Yukon Denali verdict →