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

My vehicle Has a Service Trailer Brake System notification in my dash that dings as well. It does it on cold mornings with no trailer attached. I don’t trailer often.

NHTSA ODI 11495487

Numerous reports of taillights and headlights not working properly and no recall like it should be

NHTSA ODI 11494821

Trailer brake system keeps beeping and nothing is wrong, had it checked out several times.

NHTSA ODI 11492850

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

Rear passenger running lights just stopped working. I have seen several people with the same issue. I think there should be a recall for GM to fix the issue they are clearly aware of.

NHTSA ODI 11492496

My brakes went out and a “service” message came up and said “brake assist”

NHTSA ODI 11487809

Trailer assist error. Brakes not working. Ac compressors been replaced and the fan runs after the vehicles off and ac only blows warm air

NHTSA ODI 11486969

Both tail lights work intermittently. Short in wiring ?

NHTSA ODI 11484996

I received a letter from GMC dated December 2019 warning of brake lights intermittenly not illuminating. I have periodically checked the lights for failure over the last 3 years. On September 8, 2022, a motorist pulled beside me and informed me that my brake lights were not working. I confirmed that the lights were not working and called GMC regarding the letter I had received in 2019 and was told that a recall had not been issued and that my vehicle was outside the 6 year eligibility period. This defect is Extremely Dangerous to myself and others due to the inherent unpredicability and unreliabilty of an important safety necessity, i.e., knowing that others will see that I am stopping/slowing down. I believe that due to the intermittent nature of the failure of a highly necessary safety feature, GMC should issue a recall to repair at no cost ALL vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11484224

My Wife was driving at a low speed completing a right hand turn through an intersection and as she completed the turn the vehicle completely lost all steering. The vehicle ran up onto a curb but she was able to stop before she hit a poll. The vehicle was towed home and I found that there was no power to the steering wheel controls, the horn didn't work and there were Electronic Steering warnings. I also found that the steering wheel could spin freely like a top without any movement of the wheels. Upon examination in the engine compartment I found that the bottom of the steering shaft was completely disconnected and the single bolt that holds the 2 pieces together was missing. I took the vehicle to the local GMC dealership and they conformed that the bolt was missing and the shafts came apart which lead to the steering failure. The free movement of the steering wheel caused the internal malfunction of the steering wheel electronics. Prior to the steering failure there was no indications of any steering issues. The steering warning lights didn't come on until the steering failure. My Wife and children were about to get on the freeway when the failure occurred and could have led to a fatal accident if this failure occurred while she was driving on the freeway. I contacted GM and opened a case but was informed that they would not provide any assistance with the repair which is about $2900. I don't understand how GM would design a steering shaft that has a single point failure that could lead to a catastrophic failure. The vehicle has 120K miles and has never been in any accidents. I expect a basic safety feature such as the steering to never fail during operation. I will never purchase another GM vehicle and will tell as many people as I can about the potential failure. GM case# [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11484325

My "Service Trailer Brake System" messages comes on periodically for days at a time with and without my trailer. The loud chime rings consistently for the duration of the drive. It makes driving unbearable. When connecting my trailer to it, the brakes do not seem to function correctly when towing. This is very dangerous. I found out that a lot of my fellow GMC SUV drivers have the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11479248

THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM DISPLAYS ON DASH EVERY 10 SECONDS, KEEPS ON DINGING LOUD AND WILL NOT CLEAR WHILE IM DRIVING.. IT JUST STARTED OUT OF KNOWHERE AND I NEVER USED THE TRAILER SYSTEM OR TOWED ANYTHING SINCED I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK. I SAW SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE/PROMBLEM. i JUST SPENT NEARLY $800 ON FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS RESOLVED. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!!! LIKE I MENTION, I NEVER USED THE TRAILER SYSTEM AT ALL AND NEVER WILL. I DRIVE A 2015 YUKON DENALI SUV, BEEN HAVING PROBLEM ALSO WITH THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ITS PUT IN DRIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL, SOAGAIN SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11479116

Tail light failure with no ability to change out bulb. Entire assembly must be changed which costs nearly $1000.

NHTSA ODI 11478524

My taillight has blown and I read online that several other vehicles like mines had this problem. The bulb itself can not be replaced. The whole LED box need to be replaced and one side onlybis roughly $800. Being a single mom of 3 boys, how can I afford that? I need my car inspected but with this issue I dnt know what to do. Please help.

NHTSA ODI 11478537

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the steering wheel hardened as both a warning chime and a service power steering warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he crossed two lanes of traffic before gaining control of the vehicle's power steering. Excessive force was used to steer the vehicle to his place of work. The contact called several dealers as well as the manufacturer who all informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V719000 (Steering). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478575

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

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

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

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking fuel. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476364

Trailer break system warning keeps appearing.

NHTSA ODI 11475536

Trailer brake system service keeps displaying

NHTSA ODI 11475454

I have had to replace both front and rear exterior lighting in past (3). Now my rear brake light is now out. This makes 3 exterior that I’ve had to complete replace. Went out suddenly. No way to replace bulbs, dealer reports Entire assembly needs replacing at cost of almost $1000. There has to be a design flaw that every exterior lighting has gone out for so many owners and has to be REPLACED. There should be a recall on this. This model has had so many costly issues.

NHTSA ODI 11473019

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