2015 GMC Yukon Denali Problems
Compared with other GMC Yukon Denali years
More complaints than typical for this model
85/100 2.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.2× that of a typical GMC Yukon Denali 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.
- 14 of its 73 complaints were filed by the end of 2017.
- Most reported problem: Rear LED tail/brake light assembly failure (40 complaints, median 59,000 mi).
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012, 2013
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
- 73filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles, 59 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.
- 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 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often report rear LED tail and brake light assemblies that work intermittently or stop working altogether, usually needing the whole sealed unit rather than a bulb. Transmission clunking and hard shifting, air suspension shock leaks and A/C condenser failures also come up. Many of these complaints arrive between roughly 40,000 and 80,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting
Rear LED tail/brake light assembly failure
- 40 complaints (55%)
- median 59,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (34 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $762 (median of 14 quotes)
- filed 2018–2020
Owners describe the rear LED tail, brake or turn-signal sections flickering, working only some of the time, or going out with no warning on the dash, sometimes with condensation inside the housing. Complaints say the assembly is sealed and non-serviceable, so the fix is a whole new unit rather than a bulb, and several report dealer quotes in the several-hundred-dollar range per side, with replacement units later failing again. Some owners report the dealer acknowledged it was a common issue but declined to cover it under warranty or asked them to bring it in while the light was actually out. Reported from under 20,000 miles to past 100,000 miles, most commonly in the 40,000-80,000 mile range.
What to check: With the lights on, walk around the rear and check tail, brake and turn signals on both sides, and look for moisture or fogging inside the housings. Ask whether either assembly has already been replaced and whether any warranty coverage remains.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The rear LED tailight goes in and out, while driving the car. The dealer will not fix the problem unless the light is not working, but because it is intermittent, we cannot get it to fail at the dealership. We have had this problem for 2 years and it is a safety issue as the tail light will not work.”
NHTSA complaint #11123163, filed 2018-08, 50,000 miles“My right rear taillight stopped working, including the brake light. I took it to the dealership and was told it is a burned out taillight and has to be replaced. The cost was $800. I was under the impression that these taillights are LED and last forever. In reading online, it looks like this is an ongoing problem with these Gmc/chevy taillights where the circuit board breaks and the light stops working.”
NHTSA complaint #11163729, filed 2018-12, 40,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission clunk, shudder and hard shifting
- 6 complaints (8%)
- median 56,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2017–2024
Owners report a clunk or hard engagement when shifting from park into drive or reverse, especially on a cold start, along with shuddering or vibration at certain speeds and rough or delayed shifts on acceleration. Complaints describe dealer visits where the transmission was reprogrammed or a torque converter was replaced, and some say they were told there was no fix. One owner also reported the vehicle moving the opposite direction to the gear selected after a fluid leak. Reported from near-new mileage up to about 100,000 miles, often noted on cold starts and at lower or steady speeds.
What to check: On a cold start, shift from park into drive and reverse and listen for a clunk or delay before engagement. During a test drive, note any shudder or hesitation at steady speeds, and ask whether the transmission has been reprogrammed or repaired.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When shifting into gear from a child start, the vehicle takes approximately 3 seconds to shift. During that time the vehicle is not in gear and can roll in any direction. There is a software fix for this that I must pay the dealer to install. This happens every cold start.”
NHTSA complaint #11000313, filed 2017-06, 56,000 miles“In motion vehicle shutters, clunking in between gears, clunks going into reverse, shutters between 30-40 MPH and over 65 MPH. Bought vehicle brand new off show room floor, vehicle was out of alignment when I purchased it. Around 12,000 miles noticed it was shuttering and as time has continued it has progressively gotten worse. At 17,000 miles 11/16 torque convertor went out and was replaced. 1/17 back in shop now with same problems but much worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10947079, filed 2017-01, 15,000 miles - Other or unknown
A/C condenser and compressor failure
- 10 complaints (14%)
- median 56,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- filed 2017–2025
Owners report the air conditioning blowing hot air or stopping entirely, with the vehicle sometimes unusable in hot weather. Complaints describe diagnosis of a leaking condenser or compressor and, in several cases, long waits because the part was on backorder. Some owners report being told the repair might not be covered by warranty. Reported from the 30,000-40,000 mile range up to about 83,000 miles, often noticed in hot weather.
What to check: Run the A/C on full cold at idle and at speed and confirm it blows cold within a minute or two. Ask whether the condenser or compressor has been replaced and whether any part of the repair is still covered.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Ac condenser 2015 Yukon Denali broken for months, told repeatedly from prime dealership that no condensers available, there is a 40+ person wait for new condensers within a 10 mile radius. It's a full time job to get someone to help us. We bought this car 1 year ago and can't even drive it in this hot weather! Sits in our driveway until the temp gets to below 80.”
NHTSA complaint #11001404, filed 2017-06“Our 2015 Yukon Denali has 38,200 miles on it and the air conditioning blows hot air. Was told may or may not be covered by warranty. May cost over $1,000 to repair. Told it may would be a 6 hour repair. Cannot believe we are having this issue like so many other people on a $75,000 vehicle.should have been a recall issued.”
NHTSA complaint #11091329, filed 2018-05 - Suspension
Air suspension shock leaks and rough ride
- 7 complaints (10%)
- median 52,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2016–2018
Owners describe fluid leaking from the magnetic ride or air-assisted shocks, after which the vehicle handles poorly over bumps and road imperfections. Complaints report replacing all four shocks at significant cost and, in some cases, finding the repair outside mileage coverage. Others describe vibration that dealers could not resolve. Mostly reported around 45,000-83,000 miles.
What to check: Look under the wheel arches and around the shocks for fluid seepage or oily dirt, and drive over rough pavement to judge ride quality. Ask when the shocks were last replaced and whether the repair was under warranty.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Purchase a used 2015 Yukon Denali 1 year ago and have had issues with both shocks and AC. The shocks are the air ride and all 4 had to be replaced. This was a huge expense because my truck surpassed the mileage even though it was within the date range. My AC also resently stopped working. I received a letter from GM 1day after AC went out notifying me about a know issue with a leaking compressor. I took it to the dealership the next day and thought it would be covered to replace. …”
NHTSA complaint #11047084, filed 2017-11, 83,000 miles“I have spent over $2000 on a less than 2 year old vehicle because the shocks/struts did not hold up. I know of 4 other people within my small community who have had this same problem on either Gmc yukon or chevy tahoe. It feel certain this is no coincidence.”
NHTSA complaint #11054653, filed 2017-12 - Engine
Engine misfire and lifter noise
Mentioned in 4 of 58 sampled complaints
Owners report the check engine light coming on with misfiring, hesitation or a knocking or clunking sound and a loss of power while driving. Complaints describe dealers replacing individual engine valve lifters, with the failure recurring in a different cylinder afterward; one owner replaced spark plugs and coils after misfire codes in two cylinders. Reported from about 62,000 miles upward, sometimes at highway speed.
What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking from the engine at idle and on a cold start, and ask whether the check engine light has come on or lifters have been replaced. Have any stored codes read before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was recently in an accident at a stoplight. When I arrived at the stoplight something fell out of passenger seat onto floor. I put the truck in park, took off my seatbelt, leaned over to pick up item and put it back on the seat. I then put seatbelt back on and put foot on brake and put the truck into drive. It all happened pretty quickly and can't swear to the specifics but I think the truck may have jumped a little when I put the truck into drive and propelled me into the car in front of me at a very low speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11023490, filed 2017-09, 55,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11612810, filed 2024-09, 150,150 miles
Buying note. Check the rear tail and brake lights closely on both sides, since a sealed LED assembly is the most frequently reported issue and is costly to replace. Ask for service records covering the transmission, air suspension shocks, A/C system and engine lifters, and test drive over varied speeds and rough pavement before deciding.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 58 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 73 consumer complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. 59 of the complaints include a mileage, and 31% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 58,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 585 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 6 GMC Yukon Denali model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 85 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 lighting39 53%
- Electrical system11 15%
- Other or unknown9 12%
- Brakes5 6.9%
- Engine4 5.5%
- Steering4 5.5%
- Suspension4 5.5%
- Engine cooling1 1.4%
- Fuel system1 1.4%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “The tail light failed with no physical damage. I feel this is a latent defect that GM is aware of but will not take responsibility for it. This a sealed unit causing owners to pay exorbitant amounts to replace the unit. There are many reports of this item failing in the field within an unacceptable time period. Production date on our unit is apr/24/14, so just over a five year period on a vehicle with less than 80k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11221424, filed 2019-06, 79,865 milesElectrical system: “Tail lights sometimes work and most of the time does not work. I see hundreds of complaints about this and nothing is being done about it! This will be my first and last time buying a Gmc car. This is very dangerous and a very expensive problem to have!”
NHTSA complaint #11302141, filed 2020-01, 60,000 milesOther or unknown: “A strong vibration or shudder resonates throughout the body of the entire cabin. Feels like you are driving over large rumble strips, even when the road is completely smooth. Appears to occur at speeds greater than 30 miles per hour and when the rpms exceed 1,000 RPM. The RPM needle jumps repeatedly while the vibration/shudder occurs. When we took it to the local Gmc dealer, they told us it we needed a new wheel for which we bought and it accomplished nothing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11022268, filed 2017-09, 52,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle clunks or hard shift while shifting vehicle from park to drive, or park to reverse. Happens every morning or while transmission has cooled down. Dealer indicates there's no fix for this condition, not even a update to transmission software.”
NHTSA complaint #11130274, filed 2018-09, 20 milesMileage when problems were reported
31% of the 59 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,580 and 79,865 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. 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 · SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 22.2% risk |
| Yukon Denali · SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 · 22.9% 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: 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 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. 585 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…
- 11023343Sep 15, 2025Other or unknown. This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following a VB replacement
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 | 41,100 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 18 | 55,000 | 0 | 4 | — | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 73 | 58,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 85 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 29 | 58,000 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 28 | 62,000 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2011 | 96 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 15 | 74 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 53 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 15 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2009 | 46 | 75,500 | 0 | — | 14 | 63 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 58 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 120 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 21 | 77,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 49 | 79,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 109 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 72 | 94,426 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 29 | 82,870 | 0 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 35 | 96,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 98,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 27 | 105,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Yukon Denali model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali?
Owners of this model year most often report rear LED tail and brake light assemblies that work intermittently or stop working altogether, usually needing the whole sealed unit rather than a bulb. The issues reported most often: Rear LED tail/brake light assembly failure; Transmission clunk, shudder and hard shifting; A/C condenser and compressor failure.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali have?
NHTSA recorded 73 consumer complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 39 complaints (53% of the total), followed by electrical system with 11.
Has the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali 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 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali 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 reported?
Among the 59 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 58,000 miles and the middle half falls between 44,580 and 79,865 miles; 31% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.