2015 GMC Yukon Denali Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact arrived at the residence and used a personal diagnostic reader and retrieved information related to misfires in cylinder #2 and #4. The contact replaced the spark plugs and the ignition coils. The contact test drove the vehicle, and the check engine warning light later illuminated. The contact swapped the ignition coils; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) had failed and caused the lifters to fail. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11680375

Incident

Jul 23, 2025

Mileage

96,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound, and the transmission was shifting hard. While making a turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V152000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the transmission. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11622331

Incident

Jan 14, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started decelerating with a slight clunking sound coming from underneath the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the vehicle was started and the contact became aware that the instrument panel and all other electrical systems were activated as expected; however, the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a failure with the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine had failed, and the starter needed to be replaced. The starter had been replaced; however, while starting the vehicle the engine emitted a loud rumbling noise which the dealer described as rocks being tossed around. The contact stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,150.

NHTSA ID

11612810

Incident

Sep 1, 2024

Mileage

150,150 mi

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was inoperable. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the vehicle would drive forward. The contact also stated that when the gear shifter was in neutral, the vehicle would reverse instead. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the transmission fluid had leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11572365

Incident

Feb 15, 2024

Mileage

102,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking fuel. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11476364

Incident

Jul 14, 2022

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving the air condition system was blowing hot air and then became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C condenser and A/C control module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11462781

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

75,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while his mother was driving approximately 50 MPH, the brake service warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to decelerate as if the brakes were engaged. The contact's mother was able to pull over safely and turned the vehicle off and on and was able to continue driving to her destination. The brake failure persisted. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11458720

Incident

Aug 13, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

TAIL LIGHTS SOMETIMES WORK AND MOST OF THE TIME DOES NOT WORK. I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT! THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST TIME BUYING A GMC CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO HAVE!

NHTSA ID

11302141

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CALLED COULTER BUICK GMC PHOENIX (1202 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 396-5994) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ID

11245472

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

64,000 mi

TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT (LED INTERNAL TO HOUSING) CRACKS, CAUSING RAIL/BRAKE LIGHT OUTAGE WITH NO WARNINGS ON THE DASH FOR THE DRIVER. THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE METAL STAMPING USED FOR THE LED POWER CIRCUIT. EXACERBATED BY HEAT AND VIBRATION.

NHTSA ID

11234010

Incident

Jul 22, 2019

Mileage

49,000 mi

THE 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.

NHTSA ID

11234002

Incident

Apr 20, 2018

Mileage

119,000 mi

BRAKE/TAIL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. MY CAR ISN'T EVEN 5 YEARS OLD. THE REPAIR IS ASTRONOMICAL'AT LEAST $1500!!!

NHTSA ID

11233328

Incident

Jul 9, 2019

Mileage

88,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11232044

Incident

Mar 21, 2019

Mileage

82,301 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11231410

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11228279

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11221424

Incident

Jun 19, 2019

Mileage

79,865 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11207958

Incident

May 16, 2019

Mileage

102,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11204411

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

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

NHTSA ID

11194525

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11194118

Incident

Apr 2, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT/ BRAKE LIGHT INOPERABLE. PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 44,580 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11192745

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

44,580 mi

LED BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID

11192241

Incident

Mar 22, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $875.00 FOR THE PART TO FIX. HE SAID THAT IT WAS A BAD MANUFACTURING JOB. AND HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF SUV'S COMING IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11191686

Incident

Feb 2, 2019

Mileage

77,254 mi

REAR DRIVE SIDE BREAK LIGHT IS OUT BECAUSE OF POOR CONSTRUCTION.

NHTSA ID

11191107

Incident

Feb 3, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

LED TAIL LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AT APPROX. 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11189882

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

50,000 mi