What 606 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali

Driving down the expressway at 65MPH, and the Vehicle completely stops, almost causing a collision. After researching the problem at the GMC Dealer, it appears that the entire engine has internally failed. Apparently it was a Complete Engine Failure.

NHTSA ODI 11673951

Started my 2015 Yukon XL, drove approximately 6 miles to get gas and was to head out onto the highway. After gassing up and starting engine it began to idle very rough with a shake going on and ticking noise. No previous signs of any issues. Slowly drove back to my house at 20 miles an hour and called Mandal GMC dealership. They suggested having it towed to them for inspection. Upon inspection they said the AFM/DOD #1 exhaust lifter was bad and needed replaced. They replaced all of Bank one lifters and said their was no damage to camshaft. Drove it that night after repairing it and everything seemed fine. They called the next morning and said when they started it up the ticking was back again. They then supposedly took off head cover and inspected the camshaft again and said it was damaged and I would need a new engine to the tune of $18,000.00. I purchase it in 2021 from them use and paid $33,000.00 and now still owe even more than the engine repair. I said it would cost more than the vehicle was worth and they had done $4,000.00 of repair that didn’t even get the issue fixed. I am a senior on Social Security and can not afford to continue to pay 20,000.00 for the loan and then another $18,000.00 for a faulty engine design that caused the problem in the first place. May have to join the thousands of others in the class action to get GM to not put out such untrustworthy engineering. Now $37,000.00 piece of Yard Sculpture !! The morning that it occurred was the first sign of flashing engine warning on dash.

NHTSA ODI 11659069

The Yukon was driving normally and just lost power while driving 55mph on the highway. Then I got off the highway to pull over and check it out and the Yukon started shaking while running and in Park. The truck would not drive over 30mph without shaking and what sounds like misfiring.

NHTSA ODI 11658503

With my child in the car, on a highway with no shoulder, I experienced lifter failure. It caused the vehicle shake and lose power with cars driving behind me at 55-60 MPH with nowhere to pull over. The engine just stopped as I was finally able to make it to a driveway safely. Problem was identified by dealership and my engine had to be rebuilt. I purchased the car second hand 3 months prior with no warning or symptoms. The car was inspected at the dealership by the extended warranty company rep. The extended warranty only cover a portion of the cost. The collapsed lifter cause damage to the camshaft and bent rods. The car only had 107,000 miles. If I were not able to pull off before the engine stopped, my daughter and I could’ve easily got rear ended on a Major state highway. The car was difficult to control due to the engine shaking the entire SUV.

NHTSA ODI 11649629

2015 6.2l yukon lifter failure oil changed 2000 miles ago and lifter failed and possible cam damage due to AFM lifter failure vehicle has 115,000 Miles and Gm knows about these lifter failures that can blow engines and cause serious accidents due to rapid loss of power and controls that GM already knew paid alot of money as a certified pre- owned and failed to disclose lifter defects to their customers now at shop for complete inspection and now needs possible new engine when all service requirements were met now looking at thousands of dollars for repairs if known i would have not bought the vehicle. And deceiving GM customers , currently waiting for diagnostic in writing but the courts approved recall already from same issues on 2019 and newer but same lifters are in the same 2015 AFM system

NHTSA ODI 11640174

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

Consuming a lot of oil, makes a funny clicking noise sometimes when accelerations, had lil pieces of metal in my oil, Transmisson problems, 1 front headlight and all rear tail lights went out, trailer brake system would come on and go off now it won’t stop dinging and makes a whole bunch of other lights come on (trailer brake system, park assist, low brake fluid, traction control, collision) dings some much I can’t drive it. Called a gm shop near me and they told me it would cost a whole bunch for each diagnosis for every warning that came on.

NHTSA ODI 11537059

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

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

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

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

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

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

NHTSA ODI 11191920

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND IDLE HIGHLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK NORRIS BUICK GMC CLEARWATER (18200 US HWY 19 NORTH, CLEARWATER, FL, (727-536-1967) AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE ADJUSTED AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE HIGHLY AND SHAKE WHILE STOPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11105283