2005 GMC Yukon Denali Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical2030.3%
- Engine69.1%
- Brakes46.1%
- Airbags46.1%
- Body & structure46.1%
- Fuel system46.1%
- Interior & seats46.1%
- Transmission34.5%
- Exterior lighting34.5%
- Other / unspecified34.5%
- Powertrain (other)34.5%
- Seat belts23.0%
- Visibility23.0%
- Driver assistance23.0%
- Heating & air conditioning11.5%
- Tires & wheels11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHTS ARE ON. MECHANIC SAYS THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS WENT BAD. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. THE DASH LIGHTS ARE BURNT OUT. MANY OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTON LIGHTS ARE BURNT OUT. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS BURNT OUT. THE FUEL PUMP MAKES VIBRATING NOISES.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 55 FREEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ELECTRICAL GPS, RADIO, AND POWER TURNED OFF FOR APPROX. 5 SEC. AND THE DASH REBOOTED, AND RADIO REMAINED OFF, AND THE CAR WAS STILL CRUISING, BUT LOSING SPEED. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HAD TO RESTART WHILE CRUISING. IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. SPOKE TO GMC PARTS DEPT. ON THE PHONE, AND HE STATED THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX. 5 TIMES. I SHARED THAT INFORMATION TO THE PARTS DEPT. AND HE STATED THAT THEY COULD DO A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WOULD COST A PRETTY HI AMOUNT TO CHECK, AND IF NOTHING COME OUT OF IT I ASKED. THEN HE STATED NOTHING. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 55 FREEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ELECTRICAL GPS, RADIO, AND POWER TURNED OFF FOR APPROX. 5 SEC. AND THE DASH REBOOTED, AND RADIO REMAINED OFF, AND THE CAR WAS STILL CRUISING, BUT LOSING SPEED. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HAD TO RESTART WHILE CRUISING. IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. SPOKE TO GMC PARTS DEPT. ON THE PHONE, AND HE STATED THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX. 5 TIMES. I SHARED THAT INFORMATION TO THE PARTS DEPT. AND HE STATED THAT THEY COULD DO A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WOULD COST A PRETTY HI AMOUNT TO CHECK, AND IF NOTHING COME OUT OF IT I ASKED. THEN HE STATED NOTHING. *TR
IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE SNAPPED OFF FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND IT WAS ONLY BEING HELD ON BY 2 OF THE ORIGINAL BOLTS. THIS COULD HAVE FULLY BROKEN OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND JAMMED INTO MY STEERING SHAFT! AFTER A VERY SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ABOUT GM 6.0 ENGINE EXHAUST BOLTS SNAPPING OFF, I DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF ENGINES OF THE 4.8, 5.3, AND 6.0 SIZE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BARELY CAME TO A STOP BEFORE HITTING A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP JOYCE KOONS MANASSAS. DEALERSHIP CALLED BACK STATING BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED OUT AND CONTAMINATED ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, FUEL PUMP, BACKING PLATES, RIGHT AND LEFT LEVEL SENSORS TO THE TUNE OF $3660. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET WE FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT GM REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON. IF WE HAD BEEN ON I 95 WITH THE VEHICLE AT A HIGH SPEED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY HEAVY AND WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO STOP AT HIGH SPEEDS. GM SAYS RUST DUE TO SALT BELT STATES. THE REASON YOU BUY A 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE IS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. BUT THIS VEHICLE CAN'T TAKE THE SALT AND SAND PUT DOWN ON HIGHWAYS. BRAKES IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO HAVE ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER AND HAVE GM RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! *TR
I HAVE A SNAPPED OFF PARKING BRAKE COMPONENT BENEATH MY DASH RENDERING THE PARKING BRAKE INOPERATIVE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID CLASSIC CHEVROLET TO FIX THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE TWO YEARS AGO AND IT HAS JUST SNAPPED AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY UNDER THE DASH USING ALL NEW CORRECT PARTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT FAILED TO INFLATE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
SINCE 2010, MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 5 TIMES. 3 OUT OF THE 5 TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A SENSOR WHICH TYPICALLY COSTS APPROX $400-450. THE OTHER TWO TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO RESET. I AM NOW IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO SPEND ANOTHER $450 FOR ANOTHER NEW SENSOR IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE AIRBAG LIGHT OR ELSE I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE FROM GM AND THE DEALERSHIP. BUT, BECAUSE THE LIGHT COMES ON JUST AFTER ONE YEAR OF REPLACING A SENSOR, THE WORK IS NO LONGER UNDER DEALERSHIP WARRANTY. I HAVE FILED A CASE WITH GM ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE SO THAT I CAN GET THE CAR INSPECTED AND CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR. THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY CANNOT ASSIST. THEY HAVE LEFT ME WITH VERY FEW OPTIONS. I CAN PAY ANOTHER $450 IN ORDER FOR MY CAR TO BE INSPECTED, OR NOT DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. THE AIR BAG IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. BASED ON ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE, THIS PROBLEM IS RECURRING AND APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE DISTURBING THING ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS THAT I AM NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG ACTUALLY IS IN WORKING ORDER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BASICALLY MY LIFT GATE AND GLASS ARE STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION AND THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE. THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND GMC SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE LOCK ACTUATOR TO REPLACE THEM ALL WITH A REPLACEMENT PART TO ENSURE NO ONE GETS STUCK INSIDE THERE VEHICLE. THIS PART ALONG WITH INSTALLATION CAN RUN YOU UP TO $1K SO I CAN SEE PEOPLE IGNORING THIS PROBLEM UNTIL IT BECOMES A PUBLIC CONCERN. I WISH GMC WOULD FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 GMC YUKON. THE LIFTGATE AND LIFTGATE WINDOW BOTH WILL NOT UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE REST OF THE DOORS AND LOCKS ARE FINE. THESE CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, NOT FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY MY 4 YEAR OLD WHO RIDES IN THE BACK. IF THERE WERE EVER AND EMERGENCY WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
I BOUGHT MY 05' GMC YUKON DENALI NEW. AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON - READS, SERVICE AIRBAG. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES BUT MIRACULOUSLY THE GMC SERVICE CENTER SAYS THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN THEY HAVE IT. PFFFTT!- 2005 TO PRESENT! HEATER & AC (HVAC) TEMPERATURE IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OR AIR DELIVERY. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2010 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS MIND OF ITS OWN. LIGHTS ON DASH, CD AND TAPE DON'T WORK. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2005/6 BOTH CD PLAYER'S AND TAPE CASSETTE PLAYER HAVEN'T WORKED SINCE 2006/7 FUEL SYSTEM SPORADICALLY READS- CHECK GAS CAP. GASOLINE GAGE DOESN'T WORK. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE- 2010 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY- 2008 TO PRESENT. LOCKS DON'T WORK PROPERLY- 2009 REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WIRE TERMINAL BROKEN OFF OF WINDOW GLASS- YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2005/6 THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE REPLACED KEY FOBS AND BATTERIES SEVERAL TIME'S IT WILL WORK FOR A WEEK THEN FAIL. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE -2007/08 REAR PASSENGER WINDOW'S DON'T WORK PROPERLY, WHEN DOWN THEY WILL NOT GO UP. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2009 CHILD WINDOW LOCK DOESN'T WORK. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2010 SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR'S DON'T WORK FOR SEVERAL WEEK'S AFTER A CAR WASH. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE 2013 FRONT AND MIDDLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT PEELED WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. FRONT SEAT HEATER OVERHEATS -IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUSHING SEAT HEATER BUTTON. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2006/7 FRONT SEATS DON'T RECLINE ALL THE WAY DOWN. YEAR OF OCCURRENCE - 2009 MILEAGE IS WRONG - YEAR OF OCCURRENCE 2006/7 MAJOR BRAKE ISSUE- 2007 TO PRESENT MAKES STRANGE PULLING SOUND IN REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN STARTED-2007 TO PRESENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2005 GMC YUKON. THE LIFTGATE AND LIFTGATE WINDOW BOTH WILL NOT UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE REST OF THE DOORS AND LOCKS ARE FINE. THESE CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, NOT FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY MY 4 YEAR OLD WHO RIDES IN THE BACK. IF THERE WERE EVER AND EMERGENCY WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEATED SEAT MECHANISM ACTIVATED, THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 DENALI SHIFTING. I GO TO STOP AND THEN TAKE OFF AND IT ACTS LIKE ITS SLIPPING AND THEN ALL OF SUDDEN IT GRABS WITH A CLUNK. THIS HAS HAPPEN AT ALL TIMES OF IT BEING DRIVEN. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER PUT UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE IT THEN THEY CANT FIX IT. WELL GM WILL NOT PAY THEM FOR WARRANTY WORK UNLESS. NOW IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT IT MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN WAS SLIPPING AS YOU PUSHED THE GAS, SO RIGHT THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD DRIVE IT. THE TRANSMISSION TECH DROVE IT AND LOOK AT THE TRANS FLUID AND IT WAS 1 1/2 QTS LOW. NO LEAKS EVER AND IT HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND 3 IN THE LAST 2 1/2 MONTHS AND THE FLUIDS, I HOPE WERE GOOD. TECH TOPPED IT OFF AND IT SHIFTED FINE FOR THE WEEKEND. THEN THE NEXT MONDAY IT STARTED SLIPPING AND HARDLY ACCELERATING AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THE TECH CHECKED CODE AND IT HAD SOME TORQUE CONVERTER CODES. THEY REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS IN THE TRANSMISSION. I WORK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN IT STARTED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK IN AND THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED GM AND THEY HAD THEM CHANGE THE IGNITION SW (MODULE I THINK). I WILL POST CODE AND EXACT WHEN I GET THE INFO FROM THE DEALER. I WILL SEE IF THIS FIXES IT. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE OFF IT BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FOUND THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS STRIPPED. THE BOLT WAS REPLACED. THEN, WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THE INDICATOR STILL READ DRIVE, BUT WOULD NOT GO. HE STATED THE STEERING COLUMN DID REGISTER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, AND WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED TISSUES NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY ADJUSTED CABLES, BUT THE WORK ORDER HE RECEIVED SHOWED THAT NOTHING WAS DONE. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WASN'T HOLDING, IT WOULD FOLD. THE NAVIGATION RADIO SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE HEADLINER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/23/06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHTS ARE ON. MECHANIC SAYS THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS WENT BAD. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. THE DASH LIGHTS ARE BURNT OUT. MANY OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTON LIGHTS ARE BURNT OUT. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS BURNT OUT. THE FUEL PUMP MAKES VIBRATING NOISES.
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF. SAME WITH 2 OUT OF 3 BRAKE LIGHTS. DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE REPLACE THE BULBS, WE KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IS GMC GOING TO PAY MY TICKET WHEN I GET PULLED OVER? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 YUKON DENALI HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE BUT DID NOT SMOKE IT BURNT INTO TEMPURPEDIC PILLOW IN A PLASTIC BAG UP TO 15 HOURS CAUSING ILLNESS AND A MONTH OF BEDREST AND FINANCIAL RUIN FOR A MOTHER OF 4 WHO STILL HAS A RENTAL AND UNABLE TO GO GET CAR THAT IS STILL NOT FIXED. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO A FUNERAL IN NEWPORT BEACH CA FROM OR. GM WOULD NOT FIX MY CAR OR ALLOW IT TO BE SO UNTIL AN INVESTIGATION DUE TO IT BEING A THERMAL EVENT AND INSURANCE SAID NOT TO MOVE DUE TO SPOILATION. I CALLED SOUTH COAST WHO SAID THE INSURANCE WAS ONCE AGAIN OUT FOR PICTURES TODAY NOVEMBER 11TH AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED OCTOBER 2ND. I AM AFRAID OF THE LONG TERM DAMAGE BREATHING TOXIC FUMES WILL HAVE ON MY 15 YEAR OLD. YOU HAVE NOTHING LISTED UNDER HEATED SEATS PLEASE FORWARD CASES. *TR
2005 YUKON DENALI HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE BUT DID NOT SMOKE BURNT INTO TEMPURPEDIC PILLOW UP TO 15 HOURS CAUSING ILLNESS AND A MONTH OF BEDREST AND FINANCIAL RUIN FOR A MOTHER OF 4 WHO STILL HAS A RENTAL AND UNABLE TO GO GET CAR THAT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I AM AFRAID OF THE LONG TERM DAMAGE BREATHING TOXIC FUMES WILL HAVE ON MY 15 YEAR OLD. YOU HAVE NOTHING LISTED UNDER HEATED SEATS PLEASE FORWARD CASES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE 2009, I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY 2005 YUKON DENALI TO BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS TO FIX A VERY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. TO DATE, NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ANYTIME WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 1- 2-3RD GEARS, THE ACCELERATOR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING AND THE "TRACTION ACTIVE" LIGHT WILL COME ON. FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING INFREQUENTLY - 1 PER MONTH - AND OVER THE YEARS HAS BECOME MUCH MORE FREQUENT - 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE ROAD CONDITIONS CHANGE. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME UNDER ANY CONDITION. THE SCARY THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND OTHER CARS ARE ACCELERATING BEHIND YOU, THEY DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT YOU WILL STOP ACCELERATING (THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON), THEREFORE, THEY ALMOST REAR END ME. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, YET THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE JUST FILED A CASE WITH GM FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WILL SEE WHAT THEY DO. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS LONG OVERDUE. WHILE WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT IS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY.
REAR LEFT SIDE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON VERY HARD TO UNLOCK CAN CAUSE A PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY TO BE TRAPPED. DEALER STATES GM HAS NO SAFETY WARRANTY ON ANY SEAT BELT PRODUCTS. TPS SENSOR INDICATOR HAS SHOWN UP INTERMITTENTLY ON THE CLUSTER HAD TAKE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY NEVER SEEM TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WAS READING ONLINE POSSIBLE CLUSTER ISSUE DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE. POWER TRAIN MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR LIGHT COMPLETELY OUT THERE IS A RECALL ID #41359 AS OF FEB 14 2005 FOR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN AND COULD CAUSE INJURY. DEALER IS SUPPOSE TO REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. TAKEN TO DEALER WAS TOLD THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT JUST CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY AND RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THANK YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PLASTIC SURROUND AROUND MY SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE. THE PLASTIC TABS HAVE BROKEN FROM NORMAL USAGE AND THE SURROUND NOW IMPEDES EITHER LATCHING OR UNLATCHING, AND THE SEAT BELT COMES UNLATCHED WHEN IT APPEARS TO BE PROPERLY LATCHED. OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR/MODEL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND THE SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE SEAT BELTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE (1) THE SEAT BELT EITHER APPEARS TO BE LATCHED WHEN IT IS NOT; OR (2) THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE IS DEPRESSED, PREVENTING OCCUPANTS FROM EGRESSING THE VEHICLE QUICKLY IF NEEDED. THE TABS HOLDING THE PLASTIC SURROUND ARE TOO SMALL AND ALLOW THE BUCKLE TO FLEX AND JAM, OR THEY BREAK OFF AND INTERFERE WITH THE LATCH MECHANISM.
REAR LEFT SIDE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON VERY HARD TO UNLOCK CAN CAUSE A PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY TO BE TRAPPED. DEALER STATES GM HAS NO SAFETY WARRANTY ON ANY SEAT BELT PRODUCTS. TPS SENSOR INDICATOR HAS SHOWN UP INTERMITTENTLY ON THE CLUSTER HAD TAKE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY NEVER SEEM TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WAS READING ONLINE POSSIBLE CLUSTER ISSUE DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE. POWER TRAIN MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR LIGHT COMPLETELY OUT THERE IS A RECALL ID #41359 AS OF FEB 14 2005 FOR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN AND COULD CAUSE INJURY. DEALER IS SUPPOSE TO REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. TAKEN TO DEALER WAS TOLD THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT JUST CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY AND RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THANK YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DIVING ON A HOT DAY I HAD THE A/C TURNED ON WITH THE DRIVER SIDE, REAR AIR AND PASSENGER TEMP ABOUT 70 DEGREES. THE DRIVER SIDE AND REAR AIR WOULD ONLY BLOW OUT HOT AIR LIKE THE HEATER WAS ON BUT THE PASSENGER WAS WORKING JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. IT HAS BEEN TAKE IN TO THE DEALER AND ONE OF THE SERVICE GUYS SAID THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH HI YUKON. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED. WE WILL SEE WHAT THE WIFE SAYS ABOUT IT. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE OFF IT BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FOUND THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS STRIPPED. THE BOLT WAS REPLACED. THEN, WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THE INDICATOR STILL READ DRIVE, BUT WOULD NOT GO. HE STATED THE STEERING COLUMN DID REGISTER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, AND WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED TISSUES NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY ADJUSTED CABLES, BUT THE WORK ORDER HE RECEIVED SHOWED THAT NOTHING WAS DONE. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WASN'T HOLDING, IT WOULD FOLD. THE NAVIGATION RADIO SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE HEADLINER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/23/06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR LEFT SIDE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON VERY HARD TO UNLOCK CAN CAUSE A PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY TO BE TRAPPED. DEALER STATES GM HAS NO SAFETY WARRANTY ON ANY SEAT BELT PRODUCTS. TPS SENSOR INDICATOR HAS SHOWN UP INTERMITTENTLY ON THE CLUSTER HAD TAKE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY NEVER SEEM TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WAS READING ONLINE POSSIBLE CLUSTER ISSUE DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE. POWER TRAIN MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR LIGHT COMPLETELY OUT THERE IS A RECALL ID #41359 AS OF FEB 14 2005 FOR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN AND COULD CAUSE INJURY. DEALER IS SUPPOSE TO REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. TAKEN TO DEALER WAS TOLD THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT JUST CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY AND RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THANK YOU. *TR
RANDOMLY WHEN I WOULD DRIVE MY VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD JUST TURN ON IN MY CAR WHETHER I WAS DRIVING FAST OR SLOW. I COULD BE DRIVING STEADY WITHOUT STOPPING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY RHYME OR REASON. I SPECIFICALLY WENT TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND SAID IT WOULD BE $529.00. I WENT FORWARD WITH FIXING THE CAR AND THE NEXT MORNING MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP HAS DISENGAGED MY TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS AND SAID TO FIX MY CAR NOW WOULD BE $1500. I NOW AM DRIVING A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE AND OUT $500 AND NOT SURE WHAT TO DO TO FIX MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY MATTER? I AM LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING MY MONEY BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND GOING TO ONE THAT IS REPUTABLE SINCE GM SAID THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS PRIVATELY OWNED AND THEY CAN NOT HELP ME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT COMPLAINT BUT A CONSUMER DEFECT. THE A/C MAKES A NOISE WHEN THE COMPRESSOR ENGAGES OR SWITCHES. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A CD SPINNING AND IS QUITE ANNOYING. IT CAN EASILY BE HEARD AND HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER OVER TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR TO NO AVAIL. THEY ALSO SAID ENGINEERS ARE INVESTIGATING AND I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES TO INQUIRE WITH NO UPDATES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN GREAT AND THIS IS NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM, JUST A GMC COMPLAINT. A NEW CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE A LOUD A/C UNIT. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A NEW GMC YUKON DENALI 8 MONTHS AGO. MY NEW SUV CAME WITH STANDARD ALL-SEASON GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP P265/70R17 TIRES. ONE CHILLY WINTER MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, I HEARD AN EXPLOSIVE SOUND AND REALIZED THAT MY LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I WAS DRIVING AT HIGH FREEWAY SPEED (75 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT IS 70) WITH OTHER DRIVERS DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED WITH NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE IN FRONT AND BEHIND MY VEHICLE. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I STRUGGLED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE I ALSO FEARED OF A REAR-END COLLISION IF I DON'T ACT FAST. REALIZING I AM IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, I GRIPPED THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY, IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES, AND MADE A SUDDEN SHARP TURN ON THE SHOULDER. THIS SUDDEN LATERAL SHIFT AND ABRUPT MANEUVER CREATED A FORCE THAT TILTED THE VEHICLE SIDEWAYS (THE TWO RIGHT TIRES - FRONT & REAR - WERE UP ON THE AIR) FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THE SHARP TURN ON THE SHOULDER LED ME TO THE FREEWAY MEDIAN (AN OPEN GRASSLAND WITH UNEVEN PAVEMENT AND SOFT SOIL). THANKS TO THE SAFETY FEATURE OF MY VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), AFTER A BRIEF MOMENT I FELT MY TWO RIGHT TIRES WERE BACK ON LEVEL WITH THE GROUND AND THE VEHICLE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ITS POWER ALLOWING ME TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ROLLING OVER. AS FOR THE BLOWN OUT TIRE, IT HAS BEEN SPLIT IN HALF. I TALKED TO GMC ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND WAS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED OF A TIRE MANUFACTURER DEFECT/FAILURE. GMC STATED THEY DON'T MAKE TIRES. I SHOULD TAKE MY CASE TO GOODYEAR TIRES. THERE IS MUCH ECONOMIC PHYSICAL DAMAGE THAT RESULTED FROM THIS TIRE BLOW-OUT. THE LEFT INNER FENDER WELL COVER WAS DAMAGED AND CREATED A HOLE THROUGH THE SHEET METAL. ALSO A REAR BODY MOLDING WAS MISSING AND DAMAGED TO LEFT RUNNING BOARD END CAP. THE RIM ON DAMAGED TIRE NEEDS TO BE SPIN-TESTED FOR BALANCE AND OUT OF ROUND ROAD DAMAGE. THE APPROXIMATE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE ARE $4,000 - $5,000. AND OF COURSE, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .