Home · 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 · Complaints

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

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 (977)Crash / fire / injury (24)Lights (489)Electrical system (168)Brakes (158)Transmission & drivetrain (102)Engine (63)Steering (51)Body & structure (28)Suspension (27)Fuel system (23)Visibility & wipers (11)

102 of 977 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 2 of 5

Apr 2, 2023SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Driving at a normal speed around 30 mph when vehicle suddenly becomes hard to steer as if the power steering just cut out or off therefore making it extremely difficult to control the vehicle and felt like a rough ride while this is taking place.....Definitely sounds like a safety issue......DASH READING WARNING SERVICE PWWR STEERING

NHTSA ODI 11515024

Mar 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrain1 injury

Today my GMC Yukon, lurked forward so hard it hurt my neck, shoulders, and back, I know this is dangerous and has happened before, the lurches are becoming more forceful and powerful and I'm afraid now of driving it far or distance, I don't want anything to happen to me or my family while driving, I must be able to get to appointments etc. This today scares me really bad and I need help with this vehicle...Had I not braked quick I would have been in the pond in front of me the lurk was hard pain shot from back to neck and I went forward, had on my seat belt loges...If not better in the morning I will seek medical attention, I'm really hurting...GMC said noting wrong on both occasions I asked when it was mild in 2019, again 2023, nothing...no...also no warning lights are on

NHTSA ODI 11513458

Dec 4, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failure. Remanufactured transmission installed at 160,000 miles. Transmission started shifting abruptly and failed completely on interstate 26 in South Carolina. Had to limp home in a lower gear. Towed to a repair shop for complete replacement with a remanufactured GM transmission Total repair $4500. No warning indication of the problem, thankfully my wife was not driving this vehicle at the time. No inspection except by mechanic who stated based on his experience we got 10,000 miles more than normal for a GM 6L80 transmission. He also stated his shop replaced 5 of those transmissions in the month of August 2022. Documentation available on request.

NHTSA ODI 11495942

Nov 7, 2022Transmission & drivetrainLights

There was recall for N182180270 Tail Lamps Inoperative, for some reason my vehicle being a 2015 was not included. This issue is ongoing with my 2015 Yukon Denali and is dangerous while operating, it recently started and is intermittent. Also my vehicle has issues with hard shifting and jerking intermittently when taking off.... also a known issue for this year and make/ model of vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11492590

Aug 10, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Please help us with the 8 speed transmission problem associated with these vehicles. I am having the second transmission installed as I’m typing this. To my knowledge this is a very problematic transmission. The service guy at Champion Chevrolet in Johnson City, TN said there were 2 more experiencing the same issue. When I research online it is thousands with the same problem. Please help us!!

NHTSA ODI 11478602

Aug 4, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and while slowing down, the floor of the vehicle was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure might be caused by the torque converter. The transmission fluid was flushed and replaced and the vehicle operated normally; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH the vehicle was shaking and vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the transmission might also need to be repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477540

May 16, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

My GMC Yukon Denali xl has a defective transmission from the manufacturer thousands of other General Motors customers are experiencing the same issues since 2015 General Motors has still failed to issue a recall. This problem cause the truck to leap, lunges and sometimes accelerate as well as hard down shifts which causes sudden stops this also causing severe damage over time. There’s also defective paint peeling and fading from the manufacturer

NHTSA ODI 11464891

May 11, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

My transmission has issues shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. It has for several years. I have brought it into the dealership several times. They fix a part but when I get the car back, it’s still experiencing the same problem. When Accelerating, the car jerks between 1st and 2nd gear right around 10 miles per hour. It is a hard jerk that feels like you’ve been hit from behind.

NHTSA ODI 11464152

Feb 8, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission Code P0700 and P0796 ( pressure control) I was on the Interstate and my 2015 GMC YUKON SLT Engine locked up and shift down to 2nd gear. Causing other cars to almost hit me from behind and possibly causing an accident. I had to quickly veer off on the side of the road so that they wouldn’t hit the back of me. Immediately my engine light came on. Didn’t have this problem prior to the breakdown. Brought it to GMC dealership they told me my torque converter was bad along with Computer TCM and Valve body. They said I need a new transmission. My SUV have 132k miles. I called around at other transmission shops and they ALL said they are getting 3-4 GMC YUKONS in to fix a week and knew exactly what the problem was with SUV. They couldn’t understand why GMC wasn’t correcting the problem. Also, last year had to replace the Cam Shaft, Lifters and Catalytic Convertor that’s was $6000 now they tell me $5500 for Transmission. That’s $12000+ in repair in lease than 1.5 years. Never have I had this much major problem on a vehicle. This is a major safety issue especially on interstate.

NHTSA ODI 11451007

Dec 19, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failure at 167,000 miles. Transmission failed during a 100 mile trip initially slipping and eventually would not engage. Vehicle traveled on I 26 and could have resulted in accident on this 80 mph interstate. This vehicle is typically driven by my wife. No warning and GM Onstar provided vehicle diagnostic check in days prior to failure with no issues. Technician advised this was the 3rd vehicle this month in his shop with 6L80e transmission failure and said they normally fail around 150,000 miles. This is a known failure on numerous general motors vehicles across the product line. Repair required replacement of 6l80e transmission with a factory rebuilt transmission. Cost $4,100.

NHTSA ODI 11444331

Nov 19, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

Vehicle has a vibration in the gas pedal and shifts hard at times. The whole vehicle shakes. Even after I purchased a new set of tires I took it back twice thinking it was out of balance but that was not the case. Beyond aggravated with this vehicle and its issues!

NHTSA ODI 11441061

Oct 17, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

1. When starting out for the day start yukon, wait about 30 sec for the system to do self check, put foot on brake, put in gear the yukon will jump forward sometimes and bang. 2. When driving and you are decreasing in speed, sometimes you will get a small increase in speed, then it will start slowing down, sometime easy or hard where it will push your body forward. 3. Driving time to merge with traffic, put your foot on the gas pushing down, the yukon will start to increase in speed, then stops responding, (just for a few seconds) then it will go fast and bang or just this is bad because the other cars are coming up fast, there have been times I had to goto the right again and get out of traffic because it took to long to go. I have complained about this many times the techs would look at it, stating there are bulletins out on this same issue, they would go though and reprogram the Trans, they would state drive it for 200 miles, and it should correct itself, and it would and be ok for a few months or longer, then start again take it back to dealer do the same thing, i ask them what's going to happen if i am out of warranty, then you will have to pay to have to reprograming its about $150.00. I stated why will i have to keep paying for this issue, if its not a good fix, its a band Aid fix..... So i was told by a tech take off the negtive battery cable for 30 mins, tis should help you out also. Now take it in for a oil change ask if there is any new updates, we will check for you , yes we see that your Trans temp sensor is bad and it will be $475.00 I stated wait i have been complaining about this for years, NOW I am Out of warranty I need to pay REALLY.... NO dont fix it yet, I am going to reach out to GM.

NHTSA ODI 11437079

Jun 21, 2021SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

At certain speeds my vehicle vibrates, like a grinding sound at speeds between 50-55. This is a safety risk because I have children and grandchild that frequently ride with me. I have taken my vehicle back to the dealership and they say it is no codes and send it back to me without fixing the problem. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone except the GM dealership. I got my vehicle Nov. 2018 and this started happening between Dec. 2018 and Jan. 2019. My check engine light did appear and was flashing around this time. In 2019 I had to replace the rear shocks and I believe they are not working properly now.

NHTSA ODI 11421643

Apr 25, 2021Transmission & drivetrainLights

PURCHASED A 2015 YUKON DENALI BACK IN NOVEMBER 2019. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, TRANSMISSION, AC COMPRESSOR AND EXPANSION VALVE (WHICH STILL ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T BLOW COLD AIR), AND THE BLACK PANELS THAT ARE IN BETWEEN THE WINDOWS. ALSO, BOTH TAIL LIGHTS HAVE DECIDED TO QUIT WORKING.... WHICH CONCERNS ME GREATLY BECAUSE CARS BEHIND ME DON'T KNOW WHEN I AM STOPPED OR APPLYING THE BREAKS. STOPPED OR HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BREAK.

NHTSA ODI 11413868

Feb 19, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND WAS UNABLE TO UPSHIFT INTO THE HIGHER GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER STERLING BUICK GMC (5853 FRONTAGE RD. I 49 SOUTH, OPELOUSAS, LA 70570, (337) 942-3516) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

NHTSA ODI 11396909

Feb 3, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2015 YUKON XL SLT TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A STUTTER WHILE GOING ALONG ACCELERATING BUT WOULD GO AWAY AS YOU DRIVE. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CAME TO AN ABRUPT END THIS PAST JANUARY WHEN I JUMPED IN IT AND WENT ABOUT 50 FEET AND THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT CUTTING IT OFF AND STARTING OVER WHICH ONLY CAUSED THE PROCESS TO REPEAT.. I HAD MY MECHANIC TOW IT TO THEIR SHOP AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD A SECOND OPINION FROM THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THE SAME. THE VEHICLE HAD 162K ON IT AND I WAS EXPECTING IT TO MATCH WHAT MY PREVIOUS YUKON REACHED AND WAS STILL GOING. OVER $4K LATER WITH NEW TRANSMISSION, I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED THIS SOON.

NHTSA ODI 11394399

Dec 8, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN 4WD, UNABLE TO SWITCH OUT OF IT. CANNOT TURN VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11378485

Jul 22, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

I HAVE A 2015 GMC YUKON XL DENALI. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM GMC CERTIFIED DEALER IN JULY 2018, WITH 16,000 MILES. THE TRUCK IS GARAGED KEPT, AND GENTLY USED WITH ONLY 37,500 MILES. WHEN SOMETIMES DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES SLIP (AKA STUDDER). WHEN STARTING (ENGINE IS COLD) AND SHIFTING INTO D, SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, OR SLAMS INTO 1ST GEAR. THAT CAN'T POSSIBLY BE GOOD FOR THE TRANSMISSION. OCCASIONALLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT HARD BETWEEN GEARS AT MODERATE SPEED. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS GOING BACK TO 2016 REGARDING COMPLAINTS FOR THE NEWLY DEVELOPED 8-SPEED M5U/8L90 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE LOCAL GMC DEALER HAS SERVICED THE TRUCK 4 TIMES IN PAST 2 YEARS AND NEVER BOTHERED TO ASK ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OR ALERT ME TO THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. GM & DEALER COLLUDED TO WITHOUT PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM ME TO CAUSE THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY TO EXPIRE, FORCING REPAIRS EXPENSE TO BE OUT-OF-POCKET ON THE CONSUMER. DEALER CHARGED ME $300 TO SWAP THE DRAIN AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SWITCH TO ANOTHER TYPE. IF THE DEALER HAD ALERTED ME TO THE ISSUE ON 1 OF THE 4 PREVIOUS SERVICE VISITS, THE SERVICE WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT NOW THAT THE TRUCK IS 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. GM AND THE DEALER HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR YEARS, AND DID NOTHING.

NHTSA ODI 11340942

Jul 12, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

MY TRUCK HAS 30,000 MILES AND HAS THE 'CHEVY SHUDDER'. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? GMC WANTS ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE TRUCK IT BEGINS SHUDDERING AND SHAKING THROUGH CERTAIN SHIFT POINTS.

NHTSA ODI 11338832

Jun 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENRY BROWN BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 1550 E. DRIVERS WAY, GILBERT, AZ 85297, (480) 835-0900, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11329050

Mar 11, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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

Mar 4, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V761000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE KELLER MOTORS LOCATED AT (700 CADILLAC LN, HANFORD, CA 93230) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEATBELT UNBUCKLED AND OPEN OR CLOSE DRIVER'S WINDOW WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REPROGRAMMING WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11316102

Feb 13, 2020Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

THE YUKON'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAN GET VERY JERKY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD (FIRST 10-15 MINS OF DRIVING). CITY DRIVING SEEMS TO BE THE MAIN ENVIRONMENT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION JERKINESS OCCURS. THE JERKINESS STARTED SUBTLY AROUND 75,000 MILES, AND NOW AT ALMOST 100K MILES, THE ISSUE HAS ONLY GOTTEN MORE SEVERE. ACCELERATING FROM A STOP UPHILL AND AROUND TURNS ARE TIMES WHEN IT'S MORE PRONE TO JERK. THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT WOULD BE A LAG IN GEAR SHIFTING CAUSED BY SOME TYPE OF DELAY THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THE LAG HAS OCCURRED SO VIOLENTLY AT TIMES, IT FEELS LIKE I'VE BEEN IN A REAR-END COLLISION. I WOULD HESITATE TO ALLOW BABIES TO RIDE IN THIS CAR DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO BRACE WHEN THESE JERKS OCCUR; THERE'S DEFINITELY ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE WHIPLASH TO A BABY. I WOULD SAY THE JERK HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES EVERY TRIP, EVEN IF I SLOWLY ACCELERATE TO PREVENT QUICK GEAR SHIFTS FROM HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI 11309043

Jan 31, 2020Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

2015 GMC YUKON. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11302013

Dec 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineFire

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

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 977 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 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 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl 1500 verdict →