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)

Newest first · 977 complaints · page 3 of 40

Nov 25, 2024Brakes

My power vacuum brakes system is not properly working. In order to stop truck I must depress brake pedal very hard just to stop truck. Crunching noise every time. Made several trip to mechanic . I changed many part ( brakes) rotors , still and brake vacuum sensor ( purchase from gmc dealer . Still have this problem. Mechanic states, need new vacuum pump. Very dangerous to drive. Very difficult to stop . Please investigate this VIN for common complaints.

NHTSA ODI 11627260

Oct 28, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound, and the transmission was shifting hard. While making a turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V152000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the transmission. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11622331

Oct 19, 2024SteeringTransmission & drivetrainBrakes

Loss of power steering, loss of abs, loss of cruise control, loss of forward crash assist, loss of lane departure, lose of side detection, oil leak from oil cooler line connection leaking down engine, potential fire, parking sensor, arm rest phone charger short circuit potential fire, wires pinched off at hinge point of center counsel, trailer brake system, stabilitrac, all current errors make vehicle unsafe to drive, ongoing issues since purchase including service reports of the same issues from previous owner

NHTSA ODI 11620757

Oct 4, 2024Electrical systemBrakesDriver assistance

Defective wire harness between 2 body control modules, causing alarm to go off repeatedly "Service Trailer Brake System" and also "Stabilitrack" will come on randomly and lock my brakes up and all of the features in my dash. This has been very scary to drive and has brought the vehicle close to collision more than a handful of times now.

NHTSA ODI 11618127

Sep 30, 2024Electrical systemBrakesEngine

I keep getting a warning on my display on dash about my trailer brake system is not working. Also my temperature gauge stops working and I have to take off negative cable on battery to reset it. Temperature control sensor has been replaced but the problem still continues to happen.

NHTSA ODI 11617294

Sep 11, 2024Transmission & drivetrainLights

My vehicle is currently in the shop getting the motor worked on for a bad lifter. From the information the mechanic provided me this is a common issue with the vehicles that have the Active Fuel Management system. They are seeing many of these vehicles have to come in and have very expensive repairs. My first quote I received was $16, 000, they told me I needed a whole new motor and this assessment cost me $365 and a rental car while they looked at the truck. Now it is in the shop again and the estimate is $6000 to machine the cams as there are metal shavings in my oil. I had to again rent a rental vehicle and have not had my truck for a week. This is the third mechanic that has seen multiple of these motors have to be replaced or repaired due to this issue. I kept up on my oil changes and other recommended car maintenance and so did the owner before me. I had my last oil change approx. a week before the loud ticking noise began, then my vehicle began to have a noticeable loss of power when driving and eventually began shuttering and my check engine light began to blink and I took it to the shop. A year ago I had to replace my tail lights. I was able to find where others were recalled by my VIN for some reason was not included in the recall. They started shorting out and working only part of the time which is very dangerous when stopping, especially at night. I had them replaced and paid almost $700 for the two back lights.

NHTSA ODI 11613936

Sep 5, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started decelerating with a slight clunking sound coming from underneath the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the vehicle was started and the contact became aware that the instrument panel and all other electrical systems were activated as expected; however, the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a failure with the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine had failed, and the starter needed to be replaced. The starter had been replaced; however, while starting the vehicle the engine emitted a loud rumbling noise which the dealer described as rocks being tossed around. The contact stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,150.

NHTSA ODI 11612810

Sep 3, 2024Fuel system

Gas line leak

NHTSA ODI 11612274

Jul 29, 2024AirbagsBrakes

The brakes are hard to push to come to a stop. I brought it to a mechanic and he said it was my vacuum pump. The air bag light comes on when you hit a hard bump in the road.

NHTSA ODI 11605247

Jul 20, 2024Fuel system

Leaking fuel from the top of the tank when I start vehicle and after 5-10 minutes it stops this the second time this have happened

NHTSA ODI 11603586

Jul 14, 2024Electrical system

1) Wiring harness to the wireless charging pad on the center console that is wired through the door hinge. Shorts out when opening or closing center console. 2) Caused a fire that led to smoke and melted components inside center console hinge. Caused smoke and awful plastic burning smell while my kids and I were parked. I had just started the vehicle. My two kids and I had to jump and run from the vehicle. 3) No, but by many forums that dealers and mechanics are aware of this issue and charges you hundreds to fix it when it is MANUFACTURE ERROR. 4) This vehicle has been inspected many times. By all the other inspection laws Missouri has in place. How has it gotten passed many times with this known issue? 5)NO! This put mine and my kids life at risk. It is a known and wide issue yet no one takes this seriously. As it just affected me and my two children, I hope this is taken seriously. Hold manufactures responsible and dealers for selling vehicles with these known issues. Protect people.

NHTSA ODI 11601995

Jul 10, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The radiator was replaced under PI1513F in 2020. I am currently experiencing the same coolant leak and thermostat issues. Coolant leaked into 4th cylinder and blew head gasket

NHTSA ODI 11600949

Jun 26, 2024Brakes

While I’m parked or even driving I keep getting a alert on my speedometer ( Trailer Break System ) and it’s not a 1 time alert the whole time I’m driving it’s constantly alerting me yet I don’t even use my Trailer system at all, it’s concerning due to the distraction of trying to clear the screen constantly while I’m on the high way.

NHTSA ODI 11596831

Jun 13, 2024Fuel system

Pinhole fuel leak located in the bend radius of a plastic, quick disconnect coupling, of a pressurized fuel line, just forward of the fuel tank. Being a pressurized line, the leak is continuous, whether the vehicle is on, or off. Due to the location of the leak, fuel is sprayed upwards onto other shielded lines and components, representing a safety/fire hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11594113

May 6, 2024Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

My 5 children and I experience a traumatic experience in afternoon traffic as my 2015 GMC Yukon failed to pick up speed while waiting to make a left turn at a traffic light. The vehicle - no matter how hard I pressed on the gas didn't accelerate immediately which almost cost an accident. The vehicle rode smoothly for a few minutes then out of nowhere - it started jerking and stuttering bad for 15 seconds or so then would go back to riding smooth. When pressing the brakes - it seems to "lock" to a certain extent, so I have to press really hard on the brake to slow down/stop the vehicle sometimes makes a strange noise when doing so. I took the vehicle to be accessed by a service center in my area - it was at that time that I was told that my vehicle issues are known common GMC issues in these vehicles & more unfortunately. It's unfair to be penalized with an expensive transmission repair when these issues are known to the manufacture but not the consumer - despite being "VIN specific" as told by GMC customer service. This vehicle is needed as it is utilized to transport my children however, it's unsafe at & parked in my driveway. I was directed to reach out to GMC for remedy of the identified issues.

NHTSA ODI 11587258

Apr 7, 2024Brakes

On several occasions, have noticed the brakes failed to operate properly when vehicle is at low speed. The pedal becomes extremely hard to push and there is almost no braking power. This has occurred in stop and go traffic and nearly caused an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11581577

Mar 26, 2024Lights

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger's side taillight was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the front passenger's side headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,415.

NHTSA ODI 11579518

Mar 7, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Vehicle jumps when put in drive or reverse

NHTSA ODI 11576078

Feb 16, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was inoperable. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the vehicle would drive forward. The contact also stated that when the gear shifter was in neutral, the vehicle would reverse instead. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the transmission fluid had leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11572365

Feb 5, 2024Electrical system

Air intake stayed on after shutting vehicle off and locked. It seemed it was in auto start mode from the key fob. Now it is hesitating to go and struggling to switch gears. Local mechanic is unable to pinpoint issue. Will bring to GMC dealership next. The rear camera intermittently works. If you open and close it sometimes it will fix it. USB ports intermittently work. Both taillights had to be replaced due to intermittently going out. Both front heated seats only work on top.

NHTSA ODI 11570072

Jan 24, 2024Brakes

My breaks stop working in drive through, pulling in parking spots, backing out, slow speed of traffic. I found out it's the power break vacuum pump. It then says Service brakes on my dash when it occurs. This started about 2 weeks ago.

NHTSA ODI 11567622

Jan 4, 2024Suspension

UPPER ARM CONTROL SCREW LOOSENED UP. Drilled hole on axle.

NHTSA ODI 11563574

Dec 9, 2023Lights

Both tail lights fail. I just bought this vehicle at Ewald Automotive in Oconmowoc Wi a month ago with 100k and I know they were aware of the problem and so is GMC. I am not paying 900 bucks for each tail light. They are absolute junk. The left side someone already messed with it because there is electrical tape on it. Ewald laughed in my face.

NHTSA ODI 11559240

Nov 15, 2023Electrical system

Trailer service alert

NHTSA ODI 11555277

Nov 13, 2023SteeringEngine

My engine went out, and I had to have it rebuilt. There was a check engine light on. My steering goes out and in without warning while driving. I have talked to the dealership, and they stated that all safety recalls were done on my vehicle. My safety and those of others were put at risk when the steering failed. I almost crashed my vehicle in traffic. There were no warning messages prior to the failure. I did see that there was a recall in 2019 and the dealership will not inspect the vehicle without payment.

NHTSA ODI 11554898

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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 →