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Electrical systemPart report

2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali Electrical system Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
41%of 32 total for the year
Median mileage
67,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali, 41% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“About a month a ago my 2003 yukon xl all of a sudden would not drive over15 miles an hr in rush hour traffic. I took the truck to the shop to have diagnostics ran. I was told it was the battery. The truck ran for about a month then all of a sudden the battery was back dead. Returned the truck back to the shop another battery was put in. It's been about another month. This time I was driving from miami to jacksonville and the truck lost power 100 miles outside jacksonville on I-95 north. It had all power just would not crank. …”

NHTSA complaint #11161032, filed 2018-12, 173,000 miles

“I have a 2003 Gmc Yukon Xl Denali that has a faulty speedometer; doesn't work, or works erratically, reads zero when doing 60. If you turn the engine off it seems to correct the problem, but only briefly. With all the complaints that I've seen regarding this problem, I truly believe GM should recall this in the interests of safety.”

NHTSA complaint #10176717, filed 2006-12, 71,202 miles

“I was driving vehicle when I noticed that the speedometer was indicating a much higher rate of speed than I was going 120 MPH. I pulled over and stopped but the speedometer only went down to 60 MPH at a dead stop. Have not repaired problem. Dealer wants 750.00 to replace instrument cluster. I was referred to this site after reading more than 180 similar complaints on similar Gmc models.”

NHTSA complaint #10176278, filed 2006-12, 103,000 miles

“I was driving my daughter home from tutoring when I realized the speedometer does not work properly. I happened to be on the interstate at the time so I kept up with the other cars, but going down the streets to our house in the dark made me uncomfortable. Sometimes it sticks at zero and other times it maxs out at 120 MPH. The dealer I called said this was a common problem and would cost about $600+ to fix and also it would take a few days.”

NHTSA complaint #10175785, filed 2006-12, 58,000 miles

“Frontal impact between my 2003 Yukon Xl Denali and a 1992 honda prelude. Impact to my vehicle in front left corner # 40 MPH causing minor damage to my vehicle resulted in my vehicle catching fire within 30 seconds of impact. My vehicle was totaled as a result of the fire, not the impact.”

NHTSA complaint #10039167, filed 2003-09, 3,850 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20031341%
200214%
200115%

Other parts of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

Electronic stability control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali

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