IllustrationMY YUKON MAKES VERY HARD SHIFTS WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THE TCM WAS REPROGRAMMED AFTER VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON THE HIGH WAY LAST NOVEMBER. NOW THE TRUCK SHUDDERS BETWEEN 25 AND 45MPH ESPECIALLY WHEN CLIMBING OR FILLED WITH PASSENGERS. VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE CABIN.
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
Power Train complaints
9 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARD CLUNKING SOUND. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEWIS CHEVROLET BUICK OF LIBERAL (LOCATED AT 202 N GRANT AVE, LIBERAL, KS 67901…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARD CLUNKING SOUND. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEWIS CHEVROLET BUICK OF LIBERAL (LOCATED AT 202 N GRANT AVE, LIBERAL, KS 67901, (620) 624-2584) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED AND REFILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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!!!!!
SUV SHUTTERING AND SHAKING WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERE WOULD BE A SUDDEN SURGE AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHILCE WAS BEING PUSHED FORWARD. THERE HAS BEEN A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE WE ALMOST HIT SOMETHING IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE OF THIS SURGE. THERE WAS A BAD SHUTTER THOUGH OUT THE VEHICLE AT 30 TO 50 MPH. MADE COMPLAINTS TO DEALER. THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBL…
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WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERE WOULD BE A SUDDEN SURGE AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHILCE WAS BEING PUSHED FORWARD. THERE HAS BEEN A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE WE ALMOST HIT SOMETHING IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE OF THIS SURGE. THERE WAS A BAD SHUTTER THOUGH OUT THE VEHICLE AT 30 TO 50 MPH. MADE COMPLAINTS TO DEALER. THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS AT ROUGHLY 6K MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. AT 10K MILES THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED IN OUR DRIVE WAY AFTER PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK INTO THE STREET AS OUR DRIVEWAY IS AT A INCLINE WITH OUT ANY FUNCTIONS OR CONTROLS. LUCKY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING US. I WAS ABLE TO START IT EVENTUALLY AND DROVE ITS STRAIT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT BAD AND REPLACED IT. COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ROUGH RIDE, NOISES AND LOOSE FEEL COMING FROM THE FRONT END SEVERAL TIMES AT 20,000 MILES AND 30,000 MILES. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER BUMPS WHILE IN A CURVE THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK TO THE SIDE PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE SIDE IT WAS PULLED TOWARDS. THERE WERE A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE WE ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE OR CONCRETE WALL. THEY FINALLY REPLACE SOME COMPONENTS ON THE FRONT END. NO MORE NOISES FROM THE FRONT END FOR ABOUT 2,000 MILES AND THEN IT COMES BACK. THE SHUTTER IS BACK ALONG WITH ERRATIC SHIFTING. SERVICE REPLACES THE TORQUE CONVERTER AGAIN AT 45,000 MILES. THIS TIME IT LAST A LITTLE BIT LONG AND I DON'T START HAVING ISSUE WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER UNTIL NEARLY 60,000 MILES. THE FRONT END STILL POPS, CREAKED AND FEELS LOOSE AT TIMES AND THE TORQUE CONVERTOR IS STILL FAILING.
A YEAR AGO, I WAS AT SERVICE AT THE SAME DEALER WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM(TORQUE CONVERTER) WITH MY GMC YUKON XL 2015. WARRANTY TRANSMISSION WAS MADE 08/2017. ON 10/18/18, IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA GA ON HIGHWAY 400, THE CAR BEGAN TO TWITCH WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS AND VIBRATE STRONGLY, UTTERING SOUNDS OF HOWLING, DRIVING WAS NOT S…
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A YEAR AGO, I WAS AT SERVICE AT THE SAME DEALER WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM(TORQUE CONVERTER) WITH MY GMC YUKON XL 2015. WARRANTY TRANSMISSION WAS MADE 08/2017. ON 10/18/18, IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA GA ON HIGHWAY 400, THE CAR BEGAN TO TWITCH WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS AND VIBRATE STRONGLY, UTTERING SOUNDS OF HOWLING, DRIVING WAS NOT SAFETY!!! RE-ISSUE REPAIR FROM DILLER CARL BLACK BUICK GMC ROSWELL GA.
VEHICLE STARTED HAVING A VIBRATION AT CRUISING SPEEDS AFTER 100K MILES. DEALERSHIP STATES THE DRIVESHAFT IS WHARPED AND NEEDS REPLACING.. REAR TAILLIGHTS ALSO ARE GOING IN AND OUT INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CLAIMS THE LEDS ARE BAD AND THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH…
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VEHICLE STARTED HAVING A VIBRATION AT CRUISING SPEEDS AFTER 100K MILES. DEALERSHIP STATES THE DRIVESHAFT IS WHARPED AND NEEDS REPLACING.. REAR TAILLIGHTS ALSO ARE GOING IN AND OUT INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CLAIMS THE LEDS ARE BAD AND THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH A BENT DRIVESHAFT OR DEFECTIVE TAILLIGHTS THAT REQUIRE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS $750 QUOTED BY DEALERSHIP.
RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT IS NOT WORKING TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKS WHEN SELECTING DRIVE FROM REVERSE. WHEN ROLLING SLOW IN A PARKING LOT, SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY HARSH CLUNK AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT ME IN THE REAREND. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT.
ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL-- ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND STALLED OUT AT INTERSECTION MAKING A TURN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS BENT PUSH ROD, BROKEN VALVE SPRING, BROKEN LIFTER. THIS HAS BEEN LINKED TO FAULTY ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH GMC ENGINES. THERE IS AN ACTIVE SERVICE BULLETIN FR…
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ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL-- ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND STALLED OUT AT INTERSECTION MAKING A TURN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS BENT PUSH ROD, BROKEN VALVE SPRING, BROKEN LIFTER. THIS HAS BEEN LINKED TO FAULTY ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH GMC ENGINES. THERE IS AN ACTIVE SERVICE BULLETIN FROM GM CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. UNDER EXISTING POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, GM AGREES TO FIX THE BROKEN ENGINE COMPONENTS, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, THE AFM SYSTEM. THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THAT IT IS NOT GM'S CURRENT POLICY TO ADDRESS THE AFM SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGREES THIS IS THE PROBLEM. DOCUMENTATION ONLINE FROM OTHER CONSUMERS VALIDATES THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE UNLESS THE AFM SYSTEM IS ADDRESSED, THERE IS A RISK THE ENGINE WILL FAIL IN TRAFFIC. I FEEL LIKE GM IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUES BECAUSE THERE IS NO EASY, CHEAP FIX AND THE PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD IN ITS VEHICLES WITH AFM SYSTEMS. IT IS A POTENTIAL PUBLIC TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERN AS THESE ENGINES AGE.
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.