2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL Problems
Compared with other GMC Yukon Denali XL years
More complaints than typical for this model
94/100 2.7× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.7× that of a typical GMC Yukon Denali XL year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 8 of its 65 complaints were filed by the end of 2017.
- Most reported problem: Intermittent rear LED tail/brake light failure (31 complaints, median 61,000 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 65filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 55 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- —not in EPA data
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe rear LED tail and brake lights that stop working intermittently, with many complaints filed between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles and replacement quoted as a whole sealed assembly. A smaller but recurring set of complaints covers A/C that stops cooling, rough or shuddering transmission behavior, steering-column noises, and warning lights or accessories that come and go with temperature.
- Exterior lighting
Intermittent rear LED tail/brake light failure
- 31 complaints (48%)
- median 61,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (27 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 15 quotes)
- filed 2017–2021
Owners describe one or both rear tail lamps failing to light in tail, brake or park mode, often starting as an intermittent problem and sometimes coming back briefly when the housing is tapped or bumped. Complaints say the LED units are sealed, so the whole assembly has to be replaced, and quoted prices range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per side. Several note no bulb-out warning appears in the cabin, and some mention back-ordered parts or repeat failures after replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles, often a few years into ownership.
What to check: With the lights on, watch both rear lamp assemblies while a helper presses the brake, and tap each housing to see whether output flickers. Ask whether either assembly has already been replaced and keep in mind replacement is an entire sealed unit.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Tail light no longer working. Safety hazard. It started flashing intermittently and smelling funny now it won't work at all. This will cause an accident and of course it's not under warranty as I'm at 60k but Gmc will do nothing for it even though this is a widely known issue. I contacted them and they will do nothing!”
NHTSA complaint #11121900, filed 2018-08, 58,000 miles“The brake lights in this vehicle are faulty. My driver side went out in july and in the same month my passenger side went out. The bulbs are not burned out and it has to do with the wiring. Gmc will not cover the second light or provide cost assistance because I am out of warranty due to miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11023737, filed 2017-09, 39,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission shudder, clunk and hard shifts
- 11 complaints (17%)
- median 52,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- filed 2018–2019
Complaints describe a shudder or vibration felt through the cabin between about 25 and 50 mph, especially under light acceleration, climbing or with passengers aboard. Owners also report a hard clunk when shifting from park to drive or from reverse to drive, and in one case a torque converter repair. Dealers were reported to have flushed and refilled transmission fluid or reprogrammed the control module, with symptoms sometimes returning. Reported mostly between roughly 10,000 and 75,000 miles.
What to check: Test drive at steady 30-50 mph and on a gentle climb, feeling for shudder through the seat and steering wheel, and listen for a clunk when shifting between drive and reverse at a stop.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When coming to a stop there would be a sudden surge and it felt like the vehilce was being pushed forward. There has been a few occasions where we almost hit something in front of us because of this surge. There was a bad shutter though out the vehicle at 30 to 50 MPH. Made complaints to dealer. They couldn't duplicate the problem. This was at roughly 6k miles at the time of the first oil change. At 10k miles the vehicle stalled out and died in our drive way after putting it into reverse to back out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11153413, filed 2018-11, 10,000 miles“A year ago, I was at service at the same dealer with a transmission problem(torque converter) with my Gmc yukon xl 2015. Warranty transmission was made 08/2017. On 10/18/18, in the city of atlanta ga on highway 400, the car began to twitch when you press the gas and vibrate strongly, uttering sounds of howling, driving was not safety!!! Re-issue repair from diller carl black buick Gmc roswell ga.”
NHTSA complaint #11141714, filed 2018-10 - Electrical system
Warning lights and accessories that vary with temperature
- 15 complaints (23%)
- median 67,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (13 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $750 (median of 6 quotes)
- filed 2018–2019
Owners describe the check engine light, remote start, cruise control and brake lights all working only intermittently, and several link the behavior to hot weather with normal operation in the cold. Complaints also mention rapid bursts of warning messages, a trailer brake warning on vehicles that never towed, and a battery that would not accept a charge after sitting. Dealers were reported to have checked sensors or replaced the battery without resolving the full pattern. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 75,000 miles, with some owners noting symptoms appear in warm weather.
What to check: During the test drive on a warm day, confirm cruise control engages, remote start works and no warning messages appear; ask whether aftermarket devices are plugged into the diagnostic port, which some bulletins identify as a source of electrical symptoms.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I put in another complaint and forgot to add maybe the most important details!!!! I have noticed my cruise control, check engine light, brake lights, and remote start though I'm having issues with them all working only when they want to it seems when it's hot outside all of these things go hay wire and when it's freezing cold (colorado winter) everything works fine. Today high of 40 everything is working fine... Highs in the 80+ everything seems to not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11139221, filed 2018-10, 55,000 miles“At 75,000 miles I wouldn't expect to have this many issues out of such a nice expensive truck... The check engine lights comes on and off and it pleases. When the check engine light is on the remote start doesn't work. The tail lights work when they want to and to fix a tail light just 1 is $800.00. While driving all types of warnings and lights start coming on in a rapid warning annoyance. I've never hooked a trailer to this truck and it keeps giving me some type of trailer braking system warning. The cruise control works when it wants to. …”
NHTSA complaint #11204356, filed 2019-04, 75,000 miles - Other or unknown
A/C blows warm — condenser leak
- 5 complaints (8%)
- median 60,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- filed 2017–2019
Owners report the air conditioning suddenly blowing warm air, which dealers traced to a leaking condenser, and in some cases also a discharge line. Complaints describe the part being in short supply, with some owners told only one unit could be ordered per vehicle and no delivery estimate given. Repair was reported as needed well outside the bumper-to-bumper warranty period. Reported from roughly 49,000 to 72,000 miles in the sample.
What to check: Run the A/C on a warm day and confirm cold air from the vents at idle and while driving, and ask whether the condenser has been replaced and whether any related customer program applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“A/c stopped working and was told it was due to bad condenser and the part gets damaged where it bolts onto the radiator. Was told that a part would be ordered but there is no eta on when the part will be delivered due to nationwide shortage of part due to so many problems. Also, dealer notified me that GM was only allowing one condenser to be ordered per VIN as supply is so short because of the problem. Ac doesn't work. Can't drive with my two children and dog in the car when the temperature is over 80 degrees. …”
NHTSA complaint #10992279, filed 2017-05, 49,100 miles“Vehicle started to blow hot air when air conditioner was on. Brought this in to get it fixed twice and last time we were informed that there is a hole in the condenser and that GM is trying to find a manufacturer for the part but have no timetable as to when the part will be available. We also called GM and they confirmed that there is an issue but have no timetable on when this will be fixed. They were working with one manufacturer that hasn't been able to produced the part so now they are working with another manufacturer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10993114, filed 2017-06, 60,000 miles
Buying note. Budget for a possible rear lamp assembly replacement and check the lights carefully before purchase, then verify A/C cooling and transmission behavior on a longer drive. Ask for service records covering the condenser, transmission fluid service, steering column work and any stored diagnostic codes.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 65 consumer complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. 55 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 404 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 GMC Yukon Denali XL model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 94 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Exterior lighting36 55%
- Electrical system16 25%
- Other or unknown7 11%
- Suspension5 7.7%
- Engine4 6.2%
- Steering3 4.6%
- Vehicle speed control3 4.6%
- Brakes2 3.1%
- Fuel system2 3.1%
Also reported: Body and structure (2), Wheels (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “We have had both our taillights fail. The blinkers still function but because they are LED they say they must replace the whole unit. Each side cost $672. That is outrageous for a taillight. There needs to be a way to replace each piece.”
NHTSA complaint #11216937, filed 2019-05, 53,000 milesElectrical system: “'takata recall' we just purchased our 2015 yukon dinali xl december 20, 2018 and have had nothing but problems with brake light ( while in motion ) on driver-side working intermittently, so we replaced both taillights with brand new ($700) enclosed rear light assembly and now we are having an issue with driver side once again. I'm very proud to buy american made products but after seeing how many Gmc monthly complaints with this same issue, you would think that GM would stand behind their product. …”
NHTSA complaint #11173848, filed 2019-02, 99,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My yukon makes very hard shifts when accelerating and decelerating. The TCM was reprogrammed after vehicle shut off on the high way last november. Now the truck shudders between 25 and 45mph especially when climbing or filled with passengers. Vibration can be felt through the cabin.”
NHTSA complaint #11219096, filed 2019-06, 33,534 milesOther or unknown: “Sunroof: while traveling on the road at 55mph, my sunroof, which was closed, randomly exploded. You can see the glass actually pushed up and out when it blew. We had glass everywhere in the vehicle. There were no other vehicles around me and there was nothing that came through the window. It was a nice sunny day, no rain or other reason for this to have happened. I stopped right away and took photos of the damage. I called my insurance company right away and am waiting for the sunroof to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11120941, filed 2018-08, 94,150 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 55 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 71,368 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon Denali XL 1500 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 · 21.2% risk |
| Yukon Denali XL 1500 · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 · 20.3% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2015 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2014: same overall rating; 2016: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2015 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. 404 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
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
What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL?
Owners of this model year most often describe rear LED tail and brake lights that stop working intermittently, with many complaints filed between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles and replacement quoted as a whole sealed assembly. The issues reported most often: Intermittent rear LED tail/brake light failure; Transmission shudder, clunk and hard shifts; Warning lights and accessories that vary with temperature.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL have?
NHTSA recorded 65 consumer complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 36 complaints (55% of the total), followed by electrical system with 16.
Has the 2015 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.
How did the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
At what mileage are problems with the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL reported?
Among the 55 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 71,368 miles; 25% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
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.