What 977 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500

I write to express my concern over an issue with my 2015 GMC Yukon that has also impacted other community members. In April, my Yukon, with just over 70k miles, broke down as I was turning from Rte 14 in Pembroke, MA onto Rte 53. At the time, I had my 3 & 5 year old children in the car with me. I could not get my vehicle to restart & had it towed to a local mechanic. After our local mechanic could not diagnose the problem, on 4/25/23, I had the vehicle towed to Marty’s GMC in Kingston, MA, where it was purchased. I had to call Marty’s regularly to check in on my vehicle before it was finally inspected. After 2 weeks, I was told that the valve spring needed to be replaced & the fluids flushed. I approved those repairs totaling $1600. After a couple of days, I received a phone call that there are issues with the lifters & brakes which would add another week of repairs & bring the costs up to $5,500. After another week, I received a call that there was more work to be done increasing the total cost of repairs by an additional $1,000. When I finally picked the car up, I was notified that the estimates I received were miscalculations & my repair costs totaled $7,512.23. Since this ordeal, I have talked to several GMC owners with cars of a similar age & low mileage. These owners have experienced the exact same issues. Throughout my conversations, I learned there is a service bulletin out on the issue with the lifters, but no recall. The lifter issue is a serious safety hazard. I have made multiple attempts to reach someone at GM’s corporate office to try & initiate a formal recall for the lifters. No one has been able to tell me how a recall gets issued. This whole ordeal has been a massive burden, both emotionally & financially for my family. It feels as though my young children & I were put in harm’s way for a known GMC issue that could have been avoided.

NHTSA ODI 11525389

Vehicle had lifter and valve noise Lifters and valves became stuck due to Active Fuel Management system failure Transmission shifted poorly due to this condition. Resulting in engine failure and engine replacement at my expense Total cost $12,000

NHTSA ODI 11518586

The engine turns off when driving. This has happened at least 50 in the 2 years I've owned the vehicle. It has been serviced at Garland Shelton GMC in Temple, TX. The issue is not fixed. The battery and the negative cable have been replaced. When the engine dies none of the electrical works until I open the hood and wiggle the negative battery cable.

NHTSA ODI 11477185

The contact owns a 2015 Yukon XL. The contact stated that while stopped at traffic light, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of a cylinder #1 misfire that had damaged the lifters. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle had exceeded mileage for the warranty coverage. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,345.

NHTSA ODI 11476913

I just got my vehicle into the dealership because it's 115 degrees outside and the air conditioning stopped working. I am 8 hours away from home traveling with 6 children so I begged them to squeeze me in the same day for repair and they did. The dealership is saying it's a Crack in the air conditioning condenser and it's $1,600 to repair. This is unbelievable. 80,000 miles on it. This should be a safety concern. Sitting in stop and go traffic for hours in 115 degrees is unacceptable. GM needs to fix the problem and do their customers right.

NHTSA ODI 11476555

Pulling out onto busy road the vehicle make a loud noise and then failed to accelerate and lost power. It was three seconds before the vehicle then slowly accelerated. This continued to happen while driving. The dealer then advised that GM was aware of this issue and has not issued a recall to date. This loss of power was dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11471256

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,058.

NHTSA ODI 11422251

WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT, OR STOP SIGN VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING, WHEN I'M DRIVING VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS LIT. I DID A SCAN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CODE I GOT WAS P0303 WHICH IS FOR A CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, ALSO THE IGNITION COIL. I CHANGED OUT THE FUEL INJECTOR FOR CYLINDER 3 AND ALSO THE FUEL PUMP ACTUATOR. ITS STILL SHAKING, DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN COME UP WITH WHAT I NEED TO DO NEXT. I'VE HAD TO SPEND MONEY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS BECAUSE ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11355435

THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME IN THE CITY CROSSING AN INTERSECTION USUALLY AT SLOW SPEED BRAKING AND TURNING AND ALL THE SUDDEN I LOSE EVERYTHING. NO STEERING ELECTRICAL AND BRAKING. THE PARK ASSIST WILL SOMETIMES START GOING OFF LIKE CRAZY JUST BEFORE IT HAPPENS, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. PUT IN PARK AND OPEN THE DOOR IT COMES BACK ON. THEN SAYS ROLL DOWN DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND THEN BACK UP. AT ON TIME I DID HAVE IT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS GETTING READY TO PASS AND GIVING IT GAS AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THEN TOOK OFF AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11351977

OUR 2015 YUKON XL DENALI CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT ON SAT, WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN INSIDE. IT WAS A HOT DAY, OVER 95 DEGREES, AND WE WERE TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC WHEN WE REALIZED THE SMELL AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OUR VEHICLE. SMOKE WHIFFED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND NOXIOUS FUMES FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SCARING ME AND MY FAMILY. WE FINISHED THE TURN AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, SHUTOFF THE TRUCK, AND ALL ESCAPED FEARING IT WOULD BURST INTO FLAMES. WHATEVER WAS BURNING APPEARED TO STOP ONCE THE IGNITION WAS OFF. I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, POPPED AND RAISED THE HOOD TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM. I COULD SEE THAT A BELT, BEHIND THE SERPENTINE BELT, HAD SNAPPED, AND THERE WAS CHARRED DEBRIS ON THE EXPOSED MECHANICAL PULLEY FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I RESTARTED THE TRUCK WITH THE AC OFF, AND MONITORED FOR SMOKE. THE TRUCK SEEMED OK TO DRIVE HOME , SO WE DID WITHOUT AC ON A 95 DEGREE DAY. ON MONDAY WE DROVE THE TRUCK TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THEY DIAGNOSED THE COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND ESTIMATED REPAIRS WERE $1,240. THE TRUCK IS GARAGED KEPT, AND GENTLY USED WITH ONLY 37,500 MILES. WE PURCHASED THE GMC CERTIFIED TRUCK IN JULY 2018 FROM A DEALER. I CREATED AN ACCOUNT ON GMC.COM & LOOKED THROUGH WARRANTY COVERAGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE HAD BEEN EXTENDED FOR AC DEFECTS, BUT IT LAPSED IN MARCH, 2020. LOOKING FURTHER; MANY THOUSANDS OF GM OWNERS HAD SAME PROBLEM FROM SAME DEFECTIVE AC CONDENSER COMBI-COOLER. I CALLED GM TO COMPLAIN THEY NEVER TOLD US OF ABOUT A DEFECTIVE AC SYSTEM. THEY SAID ONLY A GM DEALER COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE 'EXPERTS'. THAT SAME 'EXPERT' DEALER HAD SERVICED OUR YUKON 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS AND NEVER ONCE SHARED THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE AC SYSTEM. GM & DEALER COLLUDED TO ALLOW WARRANTY TO EXPIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11340928

I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE AND THE CAR DIES POWER GOES LOW AIR CONDITIONING FANS BLOW LESS AND GET WARNINGS ON DASH TO ROLL DOWN DRIVERS WINDOW AND THEN BACK UP

NHTSA ODI 11340180

LIFTER ISSUES CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AT 80,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330285

MY YUKON HAS A LEAKING RADIATOR WHICH IS A KNOWN DEFECT NOT JUST IN YUKONS, BUT ALSO IN TAHOES, SILVERADOS, SUBURBANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. GM REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR FOR ALL TRUCKS, ONLY CERTAIN ONES. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CRITERIA THEY ARE USING IS...BUT IT IS THE SAME DEFECT AFFECTING ALL OF THE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330234

I PURCHASED BY VEHICLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2015. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR VARIOUS ISSUES, MOSTLY ELECTRICAL INVOLVING THE COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE, OR ISSUES INVOLVING MY TIRES OR STEERING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.. MY "DRIVER ASSIST" HAS MALFUNCTIONED MANY TIMES AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. LAST SUMMER MY FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND STOPPED WORKING. I SPENT $800 FOR THE BACK PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT AND ALMOST $1000 FOR THE FRONT DRIVER HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I ALSO HAD TO GET A NEW BATTERY FOR THIS VEHICLE. MY 2015 GMC YUKON XL IS NOW MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN AND THIS TIME, I AM TOLD THAT THE SEAT MOTOR (THAT ALERTS YOU WHEN YOU ARE NEAR AN OBSTACLE HAS BURNED OUT.) ABOUT 4 DAYS AGO, I BECAME AWARE OF TICKING NOISE WHILE MY CAR HAS BEEN IDLE. I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED A MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT. TODAY, I AM ALSO INFORMED THAT MY "LIFTERS" ARE BAD ON THE VEHICLE AND MY ENGINE IS GOING BAD. I AM TOLD THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER HAS BURNED OUT, I AM TOLD THE MOTOR UNDER MY SEAT IS BURNED OUT. I HAVE PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, I GET OIL CHANGES REGULARLY AND USE HIGH QUALITY SYNTHETIC OILS. I TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP AT LEAST 2X PER YEAR FOR PROBLEMS AND SOME MAJOR REPAIR IS ALWAYS REQUIRED. THIS IS A CAR THAT I AM GOING INTO THE 5TH YEAR OF OWNERSHIP THIS SUMMER. ORIGINALLY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR BRAKES, NOW I AM TOLD THERE IS NOT, BUT I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR VARIOUS RECALLS AT LEAST 3X. THIS IS AN UNSAFE, DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. EVERY SYSTEM FAILS. I AM NOW IN SEARCH OF A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER GM VEHICLES (GRAND AM, HUMMER) AND NONE HAVE REQUIRED SO MUCH REPAIR COSTS. TODAY I AM TOLD THAT IT WILL COST $6800 TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE TO MAKE IT SAFE. MY REPAIR RECORDS WILL SHOW THE REPAIRS AND SERVICE CHARGES I HAVE PAID SINCE PURCHASE. THIS IS A LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE RPM WENT UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHARLIE O' BAUGH RV LOCATED AT (382 LEE JACKSON HWY, STAUNTON, VA 24401). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11317518

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE OCTOBER 31'ST 2019 FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MILAGE WAS ABOUT 74K MILES. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A FEW MONTHS. MY CONCERN IS THE FOLLOWING. WHILE DRIVING, AT LEAST 7 TO TEN TIMES THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLS. IN OTHER WORDS IT COMPLETELY STOPS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. ALL POWER IS LOST. NO LIGHTS NO NOTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT INTERSECTIONS, IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT, IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING RIGHT. IT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE YIELDING. SOMETIMES THE DASH STARTS TO FLICKER AND ALSO THE CONSOLE. SOMETIMES LIKE TODAY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THIS IS PUTS ME AND MY FAMILY IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. I CURRENTLY HAVE 86K MILES ON MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11309700

CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND COMBUSTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING. CAR WAS EXPLODING AND ENGULFED IN FLAMES...COMPLETELY DESTROYED VIA FIRE AND THE WORST DAMAGE WAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN ALTHOUGH BASED ON RESEARCH SOUNDS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V007000 OR 14V152000. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE.

NHTSA ODI 11286278

ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING THE FUMES FROM THE EXHAUST MAKE ME AND MY KIDS FEEL NAUSEOUS AND GIVING HEADACHES JUST FROM WALKING TO/AROUND THE TRUCK TO GET IN. WE ARE TAKING THIS TRUCK TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. BEING THE 3RD DEALER WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO IN THE PAST YEAR. HAVE HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES OUT OF THIS VEHICLE AND JUST CANT SEEM TO GET THEM ALL FIXED. FOR SUCH A PRICEY VEHICLE YOU WOULDNT THINK THERE WOULD BE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. THE LIFT GATE IS POPPING NOT WANTING TO OPEN OR SHUTS ON YOU AS YOU WALK UNDER IT. THE WINDOW APPLIQUES ARE JUST SLOWLY FLYING OFF 1 BY 1. TRANSMISSION IS HARD SHIFTING IN LOW GEARS, DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. WE HAVE A HORRIBLE GRINDING/SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT THAT YOU CAN FEEL IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE BRAKES, WE HAD A MODULE REPLACED, BUT IT STILL FEELS AS IF WHEN PUSHING THE PEDAL IT LOOSES PRESSURE, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. THIS IS INSANE!!!!!! BOOUGHT THIS TRUCK JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

NHTSA ODI 11279279

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON XL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 495 WATSON BLVD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31093, (478) 387-4424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT LIFTERS ON THE ENGINE AND CONDENSER LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11228673

2015 GMC YUKON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *LD *TR

NHTSA ODI 11191920

SUV SHUTTERING AND SHAKING WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11191809

2015 GMC YUKON SLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PRESSURE BOOMING SENSATION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *LD *TR

NHTSA ODI 11185191

ENGINE SHUTS OFF, STEERING ASSIST DISAPPEARS AND STEERING WHEEL IS JERKED OUT OF MY HAND, STABILITRAK WARNINGS ON DASH, HVAC SCREEN GOES BLANK, CHIMES START GOING OFF. THIS OCCURRED AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT NO MORE THAN 10MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11183932

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUNGHAMER BUICK GMC (5825 HIGHLAND RD, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48327, (248) 461-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE LIFTER NUMBER SEVEN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO LUNGHAMER BUICK WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE LIFTER NUMBER FIVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TT CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE LIFTER ON THE TRUCK.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11165908

A YEAR AGO, I WAS AT SERVICE AT THE SAME DEALER WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM(TORQUE CONVERTER) WITH MY GMC YUKON XL 2015. WARRANTY TRANSMISSION WAS MADE 08/2017. ON 10/18/18, IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA GA ON HIGHWAY 400, THE CAR BEGAN TO TWITCH WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS AND VIBRATE STRONGLY, UTTERING SOUNDS OF HOWLING, DRIVING WAS NOT SAFETY!!! RE-ISSUE REPAIR FROM DILLER CARL BLACK BUICK GMC ROSWELL GA.

NHTSA ODI 11141714