2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes (8) and exterior lighting (4). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 533 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 115 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system10 29%
- Brakes8 24%
- Exterior lighting4 12%
- Engine3 8.8%
- Engine cooling3 8.8%
- Fuel system2 5.9%
- Other or unknown2 5.9%
- Steering2 5.9%
Also reported: Body and structure (2), Tires (2), Air bags (1), Interior lighting (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While driving I noticed that the speedometer needle was erratic going from zero to 120 MPH. When I stopped the needle was stuck at 30 MPH. At the same time the gear shift indicator light went from dull to non existent preventing me from knowing what gear I was in. This was happening sporadically but now the speedometer needle is always on zero and the gear shift indicator is never lit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10860204, filed 2016-04, 102,000 milesBrakes: “I live in san francisco and was driving down my street. I live on a steep hill and my brakes and power steering failed. I had my truck towed to the nearest repair shop and found that there is a known defect in the gasket between the power steering and the brake system. It fails. Gmc knows this. I have had this gasket replaced three times in 5 years and it has failed again. What can I do?”
NHTSA complaint #10586717, filed 2014-05, 60,000 milesExterior lighting: “Purchased new Yukon Denali Xl on 3/19/05. Initially my husband and I noticed the seat position memory was faulty. Problem was minor did not report it. Replaced the head lights every 2 months ~ drove us crazy but we did not complain. Less than 8 months paint on the console and accessory buttons peeled. Finally on 3/2/07 I was driving to work and got a transmission hot message. Furious and concerned I drove straight to the dealer for assistance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10184650, filed 2007-03, 66,152 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Winter 2014, connecticut - backing out of driveway peddle felt mushy and going down farther than normal. Drove son to school quarter mile to school and noted the lack of braking ability. Luckily rolling stops and keeping distance from other cars allowed me to get back home. Looked under car, dripping brake fluid from under middle of card. Had the sense to have it towed to the dealer; for the $2400 estimate, they also said that my transmission lines were leaking so estimate also included the labor/parts to replace both sets of lines to fix both line related issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563444, filed 2014-02, 98,680 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 102,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 533 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11008956Sep 9, 2024Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali XL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 29 | 42,212 | 0 | 4 | — | 97 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 65 | 60,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 5 | 51,510 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 13 | 68,975 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 23 | 57,000 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 69 | 76,000 | 0 | — | — | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 29 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | 22 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 22 | 72,100 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 42 | 86,000 | 0 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 61 | 89,010 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 11 | 102,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 34 | 82,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 49 | 103,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 32 | 130,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Yukon Denali XL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali XL reported?
Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 102,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.