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

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

Rear LED taillight assembly. Connection is faulty and they illuminate sometimes and other times they do not.

NHTSA ODI 11442675

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

Break like when out and only solution iam being given is to replace the whole housing at 800$ and it seems this a faulty component.

NHTSA ODI 11440420

Steering locks up at lower speeds or when turning into a parking lot all the ligths shut off at the same time the steering does it has happened more at night lights flicker both interior lights and exterior lights a/c shuts off radio shuts off i have went to different dealers and have not been able to fix this problem even doh i show them videos of what it does both my wife and i have almost had a few accidents because of this

NHTSA ODI 11439035

The problem initially started around August 19th when my daughter was driving the SUV. It started suddenly flashing multiple service problems ex trailer brake service, park assist service and stability track service. It started flashing them over and over every second and the engine would rev up then slow down which continued even after she was able to pull over and get it into park. It was terrifying for her. We had the vehicle towed to GMC. GMC felt the electrical problems were due to the fuse box so they replaced the entire fuse box and changed all the fuses. Last week, my daughter again was driving home on the highway and the vehicle started doing the same warning but also displayed several more warnings and the car was lurching forward and slowing down over and over again despite trying to maintain a safe speed. She was close to home and thankfully made it safely home. I drove the car the next morning a few miles to see what was going on and it started doing the same thing with alerts, servicing cycling through the dashboard and the speed and rpm kept revving up and slowing down, I could not maintain a steady slow speed as it seemed like the car was braking every few seconds so it kept lurching forward out of control. We had the car again towed to the same GMC. This time GMC changed out all the battery cables going to and from the batter itself. My husband picked up the car a few days later after being told the problem had been fixed. Within a couple miles of leaving the dealership (and thankfully before getting on the highway) the car started again with the lurching, revving and continuous flashing of a multitude of service alerts/failures. GMC had the car towed back to the service center where it has remained as they run more diagnostic tests. We are concerned that there is a serious electrical problem that they have been unable to figure out on this vehicle which has put each of us at serious safety risk when trying to drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11438194

I almost died today. My brakes failed pedal went hard still is. Had to drive home with a stiff pedal and almost no brakes. Just paid $50,000 for this truck

NHTSA ODI 11437854

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The contact indicated that recently when the failure occurred the vehicle also shut off nearly causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the battery cables needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V586000 (Steering) however, the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11437454

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

Breaks are faulty, lights continue to go out in the rear after only a year after purchase. I’ve read other complaints about these issues. could be wiring or electrical issue with the breaks. Engine sounds like a plane is about to take off, has had starting problems. Overall horrible vehicle. There are a lot of problems with the vehicle, the lights are extremely dangerous as person behind would not know if I’m stopping when they fail to work and can cause a serious accident. Engine is a major concern as well.

NHTSA ODI 11436599

Air conditioning stopped working.

NHTSA ODI 11435401

I was dropping my daughter off at school in the car line. I was at low speed trying to brake and with the brake all the way down couldn't stop immediately. I was able to stop but then went to go again and when tried to stop again, couldn't and hit the car in front of me. It was making a sound while trying to brake but wouldn't engage my brakes. Luckily it didn't leave any damage and the other driver said it was OK and accepted my apology as my brakes were not working correctly.

NHTSA ODI 11434987

Driver side brake lights don't work again. This will be the 3rd time that I know of that this piece of equipment has been changed out.

NHTSA ODI 11432765

Brakes are not stopping the vehicle on short distances as it should. They are doing a clicking kind of noise and can feel pulses in the brake pedal as though ABS are trying to activate. I know there is a recall out but is saying my 2015 is not listed yet is doing the same thing that is described in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11431123

Right brake light and tail light quit working for a few days, then returned to normal operation, both worked fine for a week then the left side went out and also returns for a few days. Now both are out except for one led per side per cluster. No brake lights except for the one over the gate. And turn signals work as they should.

NHTSA ODI 11430827

Tail Lights don't work. Have seen several complaints about this problem. There is currently a lawsuit concerning this. GMC will only cover replacement if car has less than 72,000 miles. The replacement lights cost about $800 each. Having it looked at now. Fear that I will have to pay replacement costs.

NHTSA ODI 11430738

Fuel injector is direct injection into cylinder. Excess carbon build-up is endemic with this design causing power loss/decrease, knocking, and potentially increased emissions. Safety factor is loss/decrease of engine power when needed for safe highway driving. This problem is noted in GM literature and technical bulletins. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), also know as the Check Engine Light, illuminated and provided generic malfunction codes via the OBD. Cylinder #7 fuel injector removed and replaced, mechanic inspected the used injector. Heavy carbon build-up noted.

NHTSA ODI 11430313

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that the passenger’s side taillight failed to illuminate intermittently while depressing the brake pedal. Over time, the driver’s side taillight also would fail to illuminate with the brake pedal depressed. The contact then received a warranty notice from the local dealer about the failure however, the contact was informed when speaking to the dealer that due to the mileage on her vehicle, the vehicle no longer qualified under the warranty program. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11426853

LED Brake Lights fail due to design error typically on both side of the vehicle. I have found multiple reports of a failure on a circuit board that was poorly designed. A copper tracing is very narrow and fractures due to vibration resulting in Brake Light failure. Because the entire module must be replaced the repair costs $800-$900 per side.

NHTSA ODI 11426400

Tail lights are not functioning properly. N182180270 was issued due to very common issue but no recall. The special adjustment only covers up to 72,000 miles. I now have 106,000 so not covered? Serious safety issue if brake lights are malfunctioning and GM aware of issue. If technician checking lights and they are intermittently working, then I drive away from dealer and they intermittently no longer work, that is a serious safety issue and a recall should happen. I took my vehicle in for an oil change and on the drive to have serviced I was told by my wife driving behind me that the right rear brake light wasn’t working. I asked tech to check. Technician confirmed but states left isn’t working either. Yet on drive to drop the vehicle for oil change the left was working. And we have a time stamped photo as proof(attached). I had someone tell me right rear brake light was out a couple of years ago but when I had it checked, all were on. So when are they working? When are they not working? And that is why a recall should be issued. correct a faulty design. These aren’t an easy fix of replacing a bulb. The whole unit has to be replaced at $700+ each. How many people are out there driving with these intermittent brake lights? We periodically check our lights to ensure working. But if these lights are on/off intermittently, that does very little good. Scary!

NHTSA ODI 11426050

LED brake light on drivers side fails to illuminate (noticed first at about 72,700 miles). Upon further research, this appears to be a recurring issue with 2015-2016 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. The LED taillight assembly is a sealed housing and the individual brake light bulbs are not replaceable. There appears to be a design defect that is causing premature failures of these assemblies, which results in a safety hazard because the driver does not receive any notification that the brake lights have failed.

NHTSA ODI 11424204

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

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

Drivers side tail light intermittently works, doesn't work all the time. Passenger side brake light stays on continuously, never changes.

NHTSA ODI 11421492

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY HER HUSBAND WHO WAS DRIVING BEHIND THE VEHICLE, THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ALERTED BY OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIERRA BLANCA MOTOR CO. (304 US-70, RUIDOSO, NM 88345, (855) 707-6474) TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V645000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INSPECTED THE LIGHTS AND STATED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT THAT ALL LIGHTS WERE WORKING AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE SECOND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN HAD HER FRIEND, WHO WAS A RETIRED AUTHORIZED GMC TECHNICIAN, INSPECTED THE TAILLIGHTS AND DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO SIERRA BLANCA MOTOR CO. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INSPECTED THE TAIL LIGHTS BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CHECK WITH THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER LATER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD OFFER A 25% DISCOUNT FOR EACH LIGHT TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,835.

NHTSA ODI 11416592