IllustrationTHERE IS A FLAW IN THE LED STRIP OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THE LED STRIP BREAKS OVER TIME DISABLING THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS SEALED AND MUST EITHER BE REPLACED OR BROKEN INTO SO A JUMPER CAN BE SOLDERED ACROSS THE BREAK TO REPAIR THE TAIL LIGHT.
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
36 reportsFAULTY, POORLY MADE TAIL LIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE ENTIRELY REPLACED (NOT JUST THE BULB) AT MORE THAN $700 EACH. WHEN SPENDING SO MUCH ON A CAR, THIS IS LITERALLY INSANE NOT TO BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. GMC DRIVERS DESERVE MORE THAN THIS POORLY MADE LED LIGHT SYSTEM. THE PLASTIC WINDOW TRIM PIECES ALSO DETACH DUE TO CHEAP PLAS…
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FAULTY, POORLY MADE TAIL LIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE ENTIRELY REPLACED (NOT JUST THE BULB) AT MORE THAN $700 EACH. WHEN SPENDING SO MUCH ON A CAR, THIS IS LITERALLY INSANE NOT TO BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. GMC DRIVERS DESERVE MORE THAN THIS POORLY MADE LED LIGHT SYSTEM. THE PLASTIC WINDOW TRIM PIECES ALSO DETACH DUE TO CHEAP PLASTIC CLIPS. I'VE HAD TO LITERALLY USE DOUBLE SIDED TAPE AND GLUE TO STICK THEM BACK ON A $70K+ CAR. IT'S HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE PIECES THAT ARE LITERALLY PART OF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
OUR PASSENGER TAILLIGHT WENT OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP COST TO REPLACE IT WAS $811. I CALLED GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AFTER 4 DAYS AND MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS THE BEST THEY COULD OFFER IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS $80. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF I COULD HAVE THE BROKEN LIGHT AND THEY WANTED ME TO PAY $50 TO TAKE IT WITH ME. A GOOGLE…
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OUR PASSENGER TAILLIGHT WENT OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP COST TO REPLACE IT WAS $811. I CALLED GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AFTER 4 DAYS AND MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS THE BEST THEY COULD OFFER IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS $80. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF I COULD HAVE THE BROKEN LIGHT AND THEY WANTED ME TO PAY $50 TO TAKE IT WITH ME. A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNED UP MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY REPLACE 1-2 PER WEEK. THE TAILLIGHT REPLACEMENT ON THE YUKON FAMILY IS A SCAM. IT IS UNETHICAL FOR THEM TO CHARGE THAT MUCH FOR A REPLACEMENT WHEN IT IS INOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 66K MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY COLLISIONS. JUST NORMAL ROUTINE USE RESULTED IN A COSTLY REPAIR AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IRRESPONSIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE GMC EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN CHARGE OF HANDLING MY CASE.
'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!!
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.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
LED LIGHTS IN THE REAR ARE REPEATEDLY DEFECTIVE
THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHT HAS FAILED. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO COLLISION, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE.
TAIL LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOME TIMES THEY ARE WORKING FINE, AND THEN FOR SOME REASON ONE OR BOTH WILL SHUT OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. YET STARTED HAPPENING AND CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN THE STATE OF VA. WHEN NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT HAVE ALSO SEEN WHILE DRIVING.
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.