IllustrationFAULTY BRAKE-LIGHT AND COSTLY FIX. DEALERSHIP HAS TAILLIGHT ON BACK ORDER SO A REPLACEMENT ISNT EVEN AVAILABLE. DEALERSHIP WANTS $675 JUST FOR THE PART THAT CANT EVEN BE ORDERED. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO SOLUTION AVAILABLE.
2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Yukon Denali Xl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
1225–50K
2950–75K
775–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
55 reports with mileage · 10 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
16 reportsREAR PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTANTLY WHILE DRIVING.
TAIL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY
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 WA…
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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. BIG ISSUE!!!!! THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN DRIVING IT WILL GIVE A HARD JERK AS IF IT'S HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING. DOING THIS AT ANY SPEEDS, ANYTIME DURING ACCELERATING. SO MANY ISSUES OUT OF THIS TRUCK IT'S TO THE POINT WE ARE THROWING AWAY A TON OF MONEY ONTHIS THING!!!!!
APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON VEHICLE: REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT IS INOP. WE WERE ON A TRIP WHEN WE NOTICED, IF YOU TAP THE SIDE OF IT THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR JUST A SECOND. LED STRIP FOR BRAKE LIGHT IS DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENT COST IS ABOUT $800 DOLLARS. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS AND ONLINE FORUMS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. GMC REALLY N…
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APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES ON VEHICLE: REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT IS INOP. WE WERE ON A TRIP WHEN WE NOTICED, IF YOU TAP THE SIDE OF IT THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR JUST A SECOND. LED STRIP FOR BRAKE LIGHT IS DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENT COST IS ABOUT $800 DOLLARS. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS AND ONLINE FORUMS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. GMC REALLY NEED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSSUE. THESE RIGS COST WAY TO MUCH FOR THAT POOR QUALITY!
LED BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED IN BOTH TAIL LAMPS. LED IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LONGER LASTING ALTERNATIVE TO STANDARD LIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY THE WAY GM DESIGNED THESE YOU CANNOT SERVICE OR REPAIR THEM LIKE YOU CAN WITH A TRADITIONAL BULB. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A THIN STRIP THAT BREAKS IN THE CIRCUIT CAUSING BOTH TAILL…
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LED BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED IN BOTH TAIL LAMPS. LED IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LONGER LASTING ALTERNATIVE TO STANDARD LIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY THE WAY GM DESIGNED THESE YOU CANNOT SERVICE OR REPAIR THEM LIKE YOU CAN WITH A TRADITIONAL BULB. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A THIN STRIP THAT BREAKS IN THE CIRCUIT CAUSING BOTH TAILLAMPS TO LOOSE FUNCTIONALITY, THERE IS NO BULB OUT WARNING SO THE DRIVER IS NOT ALERTED. AND WITH NO BRAKE LAMPS THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR INJURY.
'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. …
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'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. I KNOW MYSELF BEING IN BUSINESS IF I HAD A COMPLAINS MORE THAN THREE TIMES A MONTH I WOULD TRY MY BEST TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO KEEP FROM HAVING A BAD REPUTATION AND HAVE A FUTURE CUSTOMERS!! I TAKE PRIDE IN MY WORK FOR WHAT OUR CUSTOMER PAYS, AND EXPECT THE SAME FOR WHAT I PAY!!
CAR WAS PARKED IN COVERED GARAGE FOR 2 MONTHS. BATTERY WENT DEAD. ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE BATTERY WITH 20 AMP CHARGER AND BATTERY WOULD NOT TAKE A CHARGE. ATTEMPTED TO START CAR WITH BATTERY BOOSTER PACK AND LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START SITTING IN VEHICLE WITH KEY FOB. CONSOLE DISPLAY SAID THAT STEERING WHEEL WA…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN COVERED GARAGE FOR 2 MONTHS. BATTERY WENT DEAD. ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE BATTERY WITH 20 AMP CHARGER AND BATTERY WOULD NOT TAKE A CHARGE. ATTEMPTED TO START CAR WITH BATTERY BOOSTER PACK AND LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START SITTING IN VEHICLE WITH KEY FOB. CONSOLE DISPLAY SAID THAT STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. CALLED AAA AND THEY CAME OUT TO REPLACE BATTERY. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL BATTERY...BUT HAD WORKED PERFECTLY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED EARLIER. NEW BATTERY ALLOWED LIGHTS AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS TO WORK, BUT CAR WOULD STILL NOT START. I CLOSED DOORS....HOOD AND THEN WAS ABLE TO START CAR WITH KEY FOB REMOTE STARTER. CAR WORKED PERFECTLY. SHUT CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START AGAIN AND WOULD NOT START NORMALLY, BUT WOULD START FINE REMOTELY. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS ISSUE, AND I MADE APPOINTMENT TO BRING IN. TWO DAYS BEFORE APPOINTMENT, CAR WOULD NOT EVEN START REMOTELY. ONLY THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT OUTSIDE MIRRORS WOULD RETRACT WHEN I TRIED TO START REMOTELY. PAID $90 TO HAVE CAR FLATBED TOWED TO DELEARSHIP. PAID $234.99 FOR DEALERSHIP TO CLEAR ALL CODES AND REPROGRAM. HAVE CALLED GMC SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM OR REIMBURSE ME. DEALERSHIP HAD NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND TOLD ME WHEN THEY SPOKE WITH GMC TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT THAT THIS ISSUE HAD NEVER OCCURRED. I FIND THAT VERY SUSPICIOUS. HOW COULD A BAD BATTERY TRIGGER A COMPUTER TO NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IF I WAS STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY AND THE BATTERY WENT DEAD AND A NEW BATTERY OR JUMP START WOULD NOT ALLOW COMPUTER TO START CAR, THERE COULD BE UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE OWNED DOZENS OF CARS WITH THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS AND A BAD BATTERY THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED HAS NEVER TRIGGERED THE SYSTEM TO MAKE THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS
VEHICLE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. THE LED CIRCUITS BREAK CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO SHORT OUT. BOTH THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ONCE THE CIRCUIT IS BROKE. THE OWNER CAN'T SIMPLY FIX THE BURNT OUT TAIL LIGHT. ONE MUST COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, COSTING UPWARDS OF $1,000 FOR BOTH. THIS…
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VEHICLE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. THE LED CIRCUITS BREAK CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO SHORT OUT. BOTH THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ONCE THE CIRCUIT IS BROKE. THE OWNER CAN'T SIMPLY FIX THE BURNT OUT TAIL LIGHT. ONE MUST COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, COSTING UPWARDS OF $1,000 FOR BOTH. THIS IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE AND IS DOWNRIGHT HAZARDOUS WHEN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT, FOR BOTH THE OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESIST ROAD BUMPS AND VIBRATIONS.
LED LIGHTS IN THE REAR ARE REPEATEDLY DEFECTIVE
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE18012 · Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Opened Nov 20, 2018 · Closed Apr 10, 2022
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Service Brakes
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.