GMC Yukon XL 1500Model year report

2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Problems

Complaints: 36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 75,000miles, 27 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: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 15 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 18 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine (5) and brakes (4). 27 of the complaints include a mileage, and 19% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 97 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 9 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.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Steering (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Our yukon on numerous occasions will just display reduced engine power and speed will decrease rapidly. I have pulled off the road and turned vehicle off removed key waited a few minutes then started the truck and it may run fine or may just continue to have reduced engine power. Between the tow bills and shop fees I have spent more than the truck is worth. We have taken to the shop and spent over 5k for them to state the can not find an issue. They say there are no codes. Then it may or may not run normal for a short period and there is no pattern. …”

NHTSA complaint #11186322, filed 2019-03, 25 miles

Engine: “When driving whether highway or city streets, the car will without notice slow down to about 15mph. A code of reduced engine power is displayed on the dash. The car will not go any faster than 15mph, even with you foot on the gas petal. I have had the car in the shop more times than I can count. They keep replacing different parts thinking that it would fix the problem. Almost within a week after being in the shop the same thing happens again without notice. I have noticed that other people are having the same problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10788335, filed 2015-11, 155,000 miles

Brakes: “Driver side brake lines were completely rusted through and had to be replaced. Gmc dealer charged me $925.33 and had my truck for 4 days. This truck only has 52,000 miles on it. Please make this a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10453338, filed 2012-03, 52,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “2004 Gmc yukon xl: while driving at normal speeds this vehicle will have a warning light come on that says reduced engine speed then it shuts down to 30 MPH instantly. There is no time for reaction. This problem occurs intermittently. It has happened over 50 times! A few of the times almost resulted in fatal consequences in high traffic. Took the vehicle to the dealer. They said it was the throttle body. Replaced throttle body and the next day had the same issue. Took it back to the dealer, they said it was now the accelerator pedal assembly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10459037, filed 2012-05, 98,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

19% of the 27 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 91,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (27 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 75,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
Yukon XL 1500 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	14	18	15	$4,450
Yukon XL 1500 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	13	17	14	$4,800
Yukon XL 1500 AWD	5.3L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	13	17	14	$4,800
Yukon XL 1500 AWD	6.0L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	12	16	13	$5,150
Yukon XL 1500 2WD	5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel	4-speed automatic	13	17	14	$4,800
Yukon XL 1500 4WD	5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel	4-speed automatic	13	17	14	$4,800
Yukon XL 1500 AWD	5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel	4-speed automatic	13	17	14	$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 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. 97 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.
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.
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…
11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging…
11004761Jun 28, 2024Fuel system, Engine. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
11002312Jun 6, 2024Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492…

See all 97 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Yukon XL 1500

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2012	5	41,250	0	4	17	—	Not enough data
2011	12	59,926	2	—	17	—	Not enough data
2010	8	93,000	0	—	16	—	Not enough data
2009	11	59,777	0	—	16	—	Not enough data
2008	18	65,000	0	—	16	—	Stable
2007	60	41,673	0	—	16	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2006	5	19,987	0	—	14	—	Not enough data
2005	24	68,000	0	—	15	—	Stable
2004	36	75,000	0	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2003	63	95,000	0	—	14	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2002	23	96,218	0	—	14	—	Stable
2001	29	124,506	0	—	14	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2000	15	118,976	0	—	14	—	Stable

All GMC Yukon XL 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 18 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 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.

What gas mileage does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 (Yukon XL 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 reported?

Among the 27 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 91,000 miles; 19% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.