IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE/TAIL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT WORK. THEY WORK ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND THE OTHER 40 PERCENT THEY DO NOT. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND GET IT FIXED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
2015 GMC Yukon Denali
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Yukon Denali 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
60–25K
1225–50K
2350–75K
1075–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
59 reports with mileage · 14 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 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
73 reportsBRAKE/TAIL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. MY CAR ISN'T EVEN 5 YEARS OLD. THE REPAIR IS ASTRONOMICAL'AT LEAST $1500!!!
MY DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FLICKERED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE FINALLY GOING OUT. THE OTHER SIDE IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING. IT HAS 82,301 MILES ON IT.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR ABOUT A YEAR WITH THE LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. AS OF TODAY, JUNE 12 2019, THEY ARE OUT COMPLETELY!!!! AFTER GOING TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HE SAID THE WHOLE CIRCUIT WAS GONE & WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED!!! I AM IN BETWEEN JOBS AND DO NOT HAVE 2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX SAID PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND SEV…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES FOR ABOUT A YEAR WITH THE LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. AS OF TODAY, JUNE 12 2019, THEY ARE OUT COMPLETELY!!!! AFTER GOING TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HE SAID THE WHOLE CIRCUIT WAS GONE & WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED!!! I AM IN BETWEEN JOBS AND DO NOT HAVE 2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX SAID PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL MESSAGE BOARDS WHO HAVE ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO HELP WHAT SO EVER FROM GMC!!!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WHEN YOU MAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A SUV YOU EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN 88,000!!! THIS ISN'T THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS SUV. SO THIS NEEDS TO BECOME A RECALL ISSUE AND GMC OR THE PART SUPPLIER NEEDS TO FIX THIS.
THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WITH 57K MILES. THE RIGHT ONE THEN FAILED AT 61K MILES. THE DEALER WANTED $735 EACH TO FIX THEM, AS THEY CLAIM THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LED HOUSING. THE DEALER IS WELL-AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IT WOULD APPEAR BASED ON GOOGLING THE ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS …
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THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WITH 57K MILES. THE RIGHT ONE THEN FAILED AT 61K MILES. THE DEALER WANTED $735 EACH TO FIX THEM, AS THEY CLAIM THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LED HOUSING. THE DEALER IS WELL-AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IT WOULD APPEAR BASED ON GOOGLING THE ISSUE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE FROM GM.
THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED WITH NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE. I FEEL THIS IS A LATENT DEFECT THAT GM IS AWARE OF BUT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THIS A SEALED UNIT CAUSING OWNERS TO PAY EXORBITANT AMOUNTS TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ITEM FAILING IN THE FIELD WITHIN AN UNACCEPTABLE TIME PERIOD. PRODUCTION DA…
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THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED WITH NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE. I FEEL THIS IS A LATENT DEFECT THAT GM IS AWARE OF BUT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THIS A SEALED UNIT CAUSING OWNERS TO PAY EXORBITANT AMOUNTS TO REPLACE THE UNIT. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ITEM FAILING IN THE FIELD WITHIN AN UNACCEPTABLE TIME PERIOD. PRODUCTION DATE ON OUR UNIT IS APR/24/14, SO JUST OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 80K MILES.
WE PURCHASED A USED 2015 YUKON DENALI LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND BOTH TAIL LIGHTS HAVE NOW GONE OUT. AFTER READING ABOUT THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE. VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT GMC REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
DRIVERS SIDE LED TAILLIGHT STOPPED WORKING AND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AT $800. LED'S SHOULD LAST LIFE OF THE VEHICLE THAT IS WHY YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE A BULB. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF POSTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. GM SHOULD DO A RECALL OR OFFER A STEEP DISCOUNT ON THE REPLACEMENT.
TAILLIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE GOOGLE AND THERE OVER A 100 COMPLAINTS ON CAR GURUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A GMC SAFETY PROBLEM. THESE YUKON'S ARE EXPENSE AND I SHOULD FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING IT. TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING. I AM ASKING A CUSTOMER OF GMC--- DO THE RIGHT THING …
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TAILLIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE GOOGLE AND THERE OVER A 100 COMPLAINTS ON CAR GURUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A GMC SAFETY PROBLEM. THESE YUKON'S ARE EXPENSE AND I SHOULD FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING IT. TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING. I AM ASKING A CUSTOMER OF GMC--- DO THE RIGHT THING AND LOOK INTO THIS AS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED - NO TAILLIGHTS COULD BE A LIFE THREATING SAFETY ISSUE. GMC DO THE RIGHT THING. LOOK AT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT DOES NOT WORK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM THEY SAW FREQUENTLY, TO JUST HIT THE LIGHT AND IT MIGHT START WORKING. OTHERWISE IT WAS A 800 DOLLAR LIGHT TO REPLACE....IF IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM GMC SHOULD BE FIXING IT... ARE THEY GOING TO PAY FOR A TICKET IF I GET PULLED …
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THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT DOES NOT WORK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM THEY SAW FREQUENTLY, TO JUST HIT THE LIGHT AND IT MIGHT START WORKING. OTHERWISE IT WAS A 800 DOLLAR LIGHT TO REPLACE....IF IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM GMC SHOULD BE FIXING IT... ARE THEY GOING TO PAY FOR A TICKET IF I GET PULLED OVER OR WORSE SOMEONE CRASHES INTO ME? THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES BUT HAS SEEMED TO GET WORSE AND IS NOT SAFE OR LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH THE LIGHT HOW IT IS. BAD DESIGN OF THE LIGHT. AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE A WHOLE FORUMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
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.