2006 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 2006 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
- Engine417.4%
- Interior & seats417.4%
- Brakes28.7%
- Other / unspecified28.7%
- Driver assistance28.7%
- Body & structure28.7%
- Airbags14.3%
- Visibility14.3%
- Electrical14.3%
- Exterior lighting14.3%
- Powertrain (other)14.3%
- Tires & wheels14.3%
- Transmission14.3%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXHAUST LEAK BOLT BROKEN PASSENGER SIDE
REDUCED ENGINE POWER FORCED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN UNDER 25 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF DUE TO LACK OF SHOULDER. RESTART OF THE VEHICLE AFTER I CAME TO A PLACE I COULD STOP, YIELDED THE SAME ERROR AND LACK OF POWER. *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE CABLE THAT CONTROLLED THE REAR LIFTGATE MECHANISM WAS MELTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LATCH MECHANISM PART WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATOR FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
SEVERE BRAKE LINE CORROSION AND CORROSION AT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS CAUSES ABS TO ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAD 2 NEAR MISS CRASHES AND THEN CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I HIT A FENCE IN MY YARD YESTERDAY. I HAVE 4 OTHER VEHICLES , A DODGE, BMW, AND 2 HONDA, ALL OLDER THAN THIS ONE, AND DO NOT HAVE THE. CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MATERIAL USED IN THE GMC BRAKE LINES THAT CAUSES IT TO SEVERELY CORRODE. MALFUNCTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY.
GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH ON A SIDE STREET THE ENGINE SURGED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK TO STOP. SUV WAS IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPORTS NO COMPUTER RECORD OF INCIDENT NOR PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OR BRAKES OVER A PERIOD OF A WEEK OF TESTING. *TR *JS
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
A PANASONIC DVD PLAYER, FACTORY EQUIPMENT AND INSTALL, IS SITTING BEHIND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND 1/3 WAY INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. IT HANGS DOWN ABOUT 4". MY 4 YEAR OLD SON IS UNABLE TO GET INTO HIS CAR SEAT WITHOUT HITTING HIS HEAD. I HIT MY HEAD WHILE ENTERING THE CAR AND RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. I HAVE PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE AND DISABILITIES NOW. GMC IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE, (DEALER REP) BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE STYLE OF DVD PLAYER WAS CHANGED TO A SMALLER SIZE AND SET IN THE CENTER FRONT. WHAT ARE THE HEAD ROOM STANDARDS? PLEASE! THE DEALER ADMITS FAULT, BUT IS ONLY WILLING TO GIVE ME A "GOOD DEAL" ON A TRADE IN. FAILED COMPONENTS DID NOT HAVE MY ISSUE. SELECTED ANOTHER TO SEND COMPLAINT. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 03/06/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 YUKON DENALI. WHEN DRIVING THE TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY, BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49000.
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
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM KICK IN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. DEALER SUGGEST REPLACING THE BRAKE SENSOR OR DISABLING IT. FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS EVENT THE VEHICLE HAD 35K MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL GIVEN THE IMPLICATIONS OF A FAULTY SYSTEM.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER FORCED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN UNDER 25 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF DUE TO LACK OF SHOULDER. RESTART OF THE VEHICLE AFTER I CAME TO A PLACE I COULD STOP, YIELDED THE SAME ERROR AND LACK OF POWER. *TR
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
REAR LIFT GLASS HINGES ARE DEFECTIVE AND GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUES FOR YEARS AND HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL TO REPLACE. POOR DESIGN IS THE PROBLEM. GLASS FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. SAFELITE AUTO (972.379-2704) REPLACED GLASS ON 6/16/18. DEFECTIVE HINGE BROKE AGAIN, ON 7/3/18. SAFELITE REPLACED GLASS WITH OEM PART. DEFECTIVE HINGE FAILED AGAIN FROM OEM PART ON 7/11/18. SAFELITE CONTACT LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP, (CLASSIC CHEVY, PLANO, TX, 469.685.1560). ANOTHER OEM PART WILL BE REPLACED ON 7/16/18. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. URL REFERENCE: HTTPS://WWW.GMINSIDENEWS.COM/FORUMS/F31/03-YUKON-XL-REAR-GLASS-HINGES-35335/ NHTSA PLEASE INVESTIGATE ASAP FOR SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED FROM THE GLASS FLYING OFF. THANK YOU.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE, IT BROKE AND FELL ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO ORDER PARTS AND THE ROOF SKIN; HOWEVER, THE GM MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE IT IN STOCK AND DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE PARTS SINCE OCTOBER 26, 2009. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10
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 2006 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE IMPACT AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ UPDATED 06/12/2014 *JS
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
ON 4/22/2012 MY REAR GLASS WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR NO REASON. NO ONE WAS AROUND IT ARE TOUCHED THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS. GOOD THING MY NEWBORN WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER DASH BORED CAUGHT ON FIRE. WILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND I SAW FLAM. I WAS ABLE TO PUT FLAM OUT AND LUCKY WAS A BLOCK FROM HOME. I PARKED IT TURNED IT OFF IT SEAMED LIKE THE FIRE WAS OUT AND NO SMOKE .ABOUT 15 MIN LATER I GO OUT SIDE AND MY TRUCK IS IN FIRE IT BURNT THE WHOLE IN SIDE OF CAB. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE MOTER BLOWER THAT SET ON FIRE DUE TO THATS WERE FIRE CAME FROM .AS WELL WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT STILL PERFECT CONDITION. SO ALL FIRE DAMAGE I'S COMPLETEY INSIDE SUV WERE THE MOTER BLOWER IS .
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 UPPER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT (BAR) ON TOP OF THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR MALFUNCTIONED. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN WORKING OR FOR HOW LONG. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT "BURNED OUT" AFTER DISCOVERING IT DURING INSPECTION OF ANOTHER PROBLEM, HOWEVER, NONE OF MY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE EVER NEEDED REPLACEMENTS FOR THESE LED LIGHTS. AFTER PAYING $300, FOR A NEW BRAKE LIGHT BAR IT WORKED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT SHORTED OUT OR MAY HAVE HAD WIRES THAT BECAME CORRODED. JUST ONE OF A MULTITUDE OF CONTINUING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JS
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
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT AND TURNING RIGHT, THE POWERTRAIN SUDDENLY DISENGAGED, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT FROM UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS BEHIND MY YUKON. THE ENGINE REMAINS ON, THE SHIFTER (AUTOMATIC) HAS NOT MOVED AND INDICATES "DRIVE". MOVING THE SHIFTER TO OTHER GEARS DID NOT HELP EITHER. THINKING QUICKLY, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, PLACED VEHICLE IN "P", RESTARTED, AND SHIFTED BACK TO "D" WHICH DID NOT WORK. I THEN PLACED ENGINE IN "3" AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING IN THIRD GEAR UNTIL ARRIVING HOME. THE GMC DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, WENT AHEAD AND CHANGED A SHIFT CABLE FOR $1,100 AND I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JS
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
ON AUGUST 31, 2010 WHILE DRIVING NORTH NEAR RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA ON INTERSTATE 5 (I-5) AT 60 MPH WHEN WE INCURRED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRE ON OUR GMC YUKON DENALI. THESE TIRES ARE OEM TIRES FROM GMC AND HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF THE VEHICLE FOR ANY REPAIRS ' ONLY REGULAR TIRE ROTATIONS. WE IMPACTED NO ROAD HAZARDS TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE AS WITNESSED BY THE FOLLOWING: 1.I OBSERVED NO ROAD HAZARDS PRIOR TO TIRE FAILURE. 2.GRANT - LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER EMPLOYEE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME AND OBSERVED NO ROAD HAZARDS. GRANT STOPPED TO ASSIST US WITH CHANGING THE TIRE. 3.THE TIRE BEAD WAS SEPARATED AND SIDEWALL SPLIT YET NO DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE WHEEL RIM AS NOTED BY REDDING, CA. WINGFOOT EMPLOYEES AND GRANT AND DON - LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER EMPLOYEES. THE LOGIC BEING THAT IF A ROAD HAZARD CAUSED FAILURE OF THE BEAD IT WOULD HAVE DAMAGED THE RIM TOO. I HAVE PICTURES ON FILE. FROM WHAT WINGFOOT AND LES SCHWAB EMPLOYEES PLUS INTERNET ARTICLES TELL ME, THE FAILURE OF THIS TIRE WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. WITH THIS AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN MIND, I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DESPITE STILL HAVING 50% TREAD LIFE LEFT ON THE GOODYEAR TIRES. THE DAMAGED TIRE WAS DROPPED OFF AT WINGFOOT, LLC REDDING, CALIFORNIA FOR FEDEX PICKUP TO THE GOODYEAR FACTORY FOR EXAMINATION. I HAVE RECEIVED A CLAIM DENIAL LETTER FROM GOODYEAR AFTER TIRE EXAMINATION STATING THAT OVER DEFLECTION CAUSED THE TIRE FAILURE. LOGIC DOES NOT HOLD TRUE FOR THIS DETERMINATION. IF TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY THE TIRE OVER DEFLECTION WOULD HAVE OCCURRED TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DAMAGING IT AS WELL AS THE RIGHT REAR BUT ONLY THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
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
ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THE CAR WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK WHEN THE CAR STOPPED PULLING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE CAR HAD TO GET A JUMP FROM ANOTHER CAR TO START. LAST, THE LIGHTER DID NOT WORK. WHEN THE OWNER GOT OFF WORK IN THE MORNING HE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. LATER THAT DAY THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND THE PART WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE OWNER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT HE COULD NOT GET A RENTAL CAR. THE NEXT DAY THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT HEADQUARTERS DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT HE COULD GET A RENTAL. LATER IN THE WEEK THE OWNER WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE RENTAL CAR BACK AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THE RENTAL. THE OWNER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $3500.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTERWARDS, THE OWNER SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $1500.00. THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND BELIEVES HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR IS NOT THREE YEARS OLD UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY. *TR
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 .