2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 17%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500, 17% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 yukon xl will, at random, shift itself into 4 wheel lo. It happens while driving and at speeds of 30+ MPH. All of the lights on the push-button 4wd control module will light up or flash. No amount of button-pushing will disengage 4 wheel drive. I the car will slam to a 5 MPH crawl when it does this. Also the traction control system deactivates at the same time. Has happened over 40 times now.”
NHTSA complaint #10839179, filed 2016-03, 150,000 miles“While returning home from a camping trip, sudden loss of 3rd and 4th gears in transmission. We were traveling on the freeway, towing a trailer when this occurred. (the vehicle is equipped with factory tow package.) in researching this problem, I was surprised that GM has opened a couple of TSB's relating to it.”
NHTSA complaint #10345158, filed 2010-07, 66,000 miles“Automatic transmission mode (4x4, 4x2, awd) shifting problems and changing from selection by itself; recurring in nature; vehicle dragging; abrupt jerking - multiple incidents and multiple repairs; only constant is that the problem always comes back and continues to this day; only service provider to have worked on this issue is swope Gmc in louisville, ky. .”
NHTSA complaint #10457328, filed 2012-04, 35,000 miles“This basic incident has occurred approximately ten times. The 4wd control module malfunctions at random. The vehicle message center will display service 4wd, and a clicking sound can be heard as the lights on the transfer case control panel switch on and off, switching the vehicle in and out of gear. Several times this has happened in such a way that the truck shifted into 4lo at moderate speed. Once, the vehicle stalled in an intersection with the abrupt shift. I am convinced that this is a systematic issue with GM 4wd trucks, but it is in no way being addressed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10511690, filed 2013-05, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM 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…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 6% |
| 2007 | 5 | 8% |
| 2006 | 1 | 20% |
| 2005 | 4 | 17% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 10% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 GMC Yukon XL 1500
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology