2004 GMC Yukon Xl 1500 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 2004 GMC Yukon Xl 1500, 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
- Electrical1839.1%
- Engine715.2%
- Driver assistance510.9%
- Brakes48.7%
- Body & structure24.3%
- Fuel system24.3%
- Other / unspecified24.3%
- Suspension24.3%
- Seat belts12.2%
- Steering12.2%
- Tires & wheels12.2%
- Powertrain (other)12.2%
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
OUR YUKON ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WILL JUST DISPLAY REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND SPEED WILL DECREASE RAPIDLY. I HAVE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF REMOVED KEY WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN STARTED THE TRUCK AND IT MAY RUN FINE OR MAY JUST CONTINUE TO HAVE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. BETWEEN THE TOW BILLS AND SHOP FEES I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN THE TRUCK IS WORTH. WE HAVE TAKEN TO THE SHOP AND SPENT OVER 5K FOR THEM TO STATE THE CAN NOT FIND AN ISSUE. THEY SAY THERE ARE NO CODES. THEN IT MAY OR MAY NOT RUN NORMAL FOR A SHORT PERIOD AND THERE IS NO PATTERN. IT HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THEREFORE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES OCCURS. MAKING THIS VERY DANGEROUS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 80 MPH. THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I AM NOT SURE WHY GMC HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I SAW SEVERAL OTHER BLOGS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY OWNER OF THIS TRUCK AND IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I LOVED MY TRUCK UP UNTIL THESE ISSUES STARTED, PREVIOUS TO THIS THE TRUCK HAD A PARASITIC DRAW THAT AFTER 3 YEARS MY BROTHER FIGURED OUT NOT GM OR ANY OTHER MECHANIC. THAT WAS THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. IS THERE A WAY TO ENCOURAGE GM TO DO A RECALL? I NOW HAVE A USELESS TRUCK SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
DRIVING WHEN ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK. OFF/ON AT RANDOM. KNOCKING SOUND STARTED ABOUT THE SAME TIME. TOOK CAR IN TO BE CHECKED OUT. WAS TOLD BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED, AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE PAID FOR REPAIR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TALKED TO OUR DEALERSHIP, HOLMAN IN CINCINNATI OH, ABOUT BREAKS. NO RECALL LISTED. THEY HAVE NEVER TOLD US THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. OFFERED US $150 BRAKE KIT TO DO OURSELVES (CANT DO) OR THEY CAN DO IT FOR $1500-2000. CAN'T AFFORD. IT SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY, EPIC FAIL GMC. WE BOUGHT A HONDA.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR YUKON ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WILL JUST DISPLAY REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND SPEED WILL DECREASE RAPIDLY. I HAVE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF REMOVED KEY WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN STARTED THE TRUCK AND IT MAY RUN FINE OR MAY JUST CONTINUE TO HAVE REDUCED ENGINE POWER. BETWEEN THE TOW BILLS AND SHOP FEES I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN THE TRUCK IS WORTH. WE HAVE TAKEN TO THE SHOP AND SPENT OVER 5K FOR THEM TO STATE THE CAN NOT FIND AN ISSUE. THEY SAY THERE ARE NO CODES. THEN IT MAY OR MAY NOT RUN NORMAL FOR A SHORT PERIOD AND THERE IS NO PATTERN. IT HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THEREFORE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES OCCURS. MAKING THIS VERY DANGEROUS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 80 MPH. THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I AM NOT SURE WHY GMC HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I SAW SEVERAL OTHER BLOGS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY OWNER OF THIS TRUCK AND IT HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I LOVED MY TRUCK UP UNTIL THESE ISSUES STARTED, PREVIOUS TO THIS THE TRUCK HAD A PARASITIC DRAW THAT AFTER 3 YEARS MY BROTHER FIGURED OUT NOT GM OR ANY OTHER MECHANIC. THAT WAS THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. IS THERE A WAY TO ENCOURAGE GM TO DO A RECALL? I NOW HAVE A USELESS TRUCK SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON XL 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE STABILITY SYSTEM DISABLED AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED, AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON XL 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE STABILITY SYSTEM DISABLED AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED, AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
WHEN DRIVING WHETHER HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS, THE CAR WILL WITHOUT NOTICE SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 15MPH. A CODE OF "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE CAR WILL NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15MPH, EVEN WITH YOU FOOT ON THE GAS PETAL. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. THEY KEEP REPLACING DIFFERENT PARTS THINKING THAT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. ALMOST WITHIN A WEEK AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TREASURE MY KIDS AND I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN WHENEVER I AM ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60 OR 70 MPH AND A SEMI TRUCK RUNS INTO THE BACK OF ME WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. APPARENTLY GMC DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR GMC MODEL. IS IT GONG TO TAKE THE LOSS OF SOMEONE'S LIFE BEFORE THE NHTSA TAKES A STAND ON THIS ISSSUE. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000.00 IN REPAIR BILLS AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE JUST THIS PAST WEEK. I BELIEVE THAT GMC SHOULD ISSSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPAIR AT THE THEIR COST.
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
DRIVING WHEN ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK. OFF/ON AT RANDOM. KNOCKING SOUND STARTED ABOUT THE SAME TIME. TOOK CAR IN TO BE CHECKED OUT. WAS TOLD BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED, AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE PAID FOR REPAIR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TALKED TO OUR DEALERSHIP, HOLMAN IN CINCINNATI OH, ABOUT BREAKS. NO RECALL LISTED. THEY HAVE NEVER TOLD US THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. OFFERED US $150 BRAKE KIT TO DO OURSELVES (CANT DO) OR THEY CAN DO IT FOR $1500-2000. CAN'T AFFORD. IT SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY, EPIC FAIL GMC. WE BOUGHT A HONDA.
I WAS TRAVELING ON SATURDAY MORNING, IN MY DADS 2004 YUKON LUCKILY IT WAS EARLY ENOUGH NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS NOT DRIVING VERY FAST NORMAL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY IS 40 MILES PER HOUR ON US11 BECAUSE OF CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS, I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH BECAUSE OF RAIN, ANYWAYS A LIGHT CHANGED AND I HAD TIME TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP THE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE LIGHT CAME ON STATING BRAKE FAILURE, FROM THAT POINT I SLOWED DOWN AS SLOW AS I COULD AND TRIED TO TEST THE BRAKES, IT WOULD STOP, BUT NEEDED PLENTY OF DISTANCE, SO I SLOWED FOR A TURN OFF, AND WHEN I GOT HOME, STARTED TO BRAKE BEFORE ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY SO THAT I WOULD NOT HIT THE GARAGE OR ANYTHING ELSE, IN FACT I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY NEAR THE ROAD. *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON XL 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AREA AND THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT RECOMMEND A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
BRAKE HOSE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEVELOPED PINHOLE LEAK DUE TO HEAVY RUST. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE BLEEDER SCREWS RUSTED SOLID- CAN'T BLEED LINES AFTER REPAIRS. IT APPEARS THAT INFERIOR QUALITY METAL BRAKE LINES WERE USED THAT RUST EASILY. THIS IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND GM NEEDS TO HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS VERY SERIOUS CRASHES MAY OCCUR. *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
2004 GMC YUKON XL: WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE WILL HAVE A WARNING LIGHT COME ON THAT SAYS "REDUCED ENGINE SPEED" THEN IT SHUTS DOWN TO 30 MPH INSTANTLY. THERE IS NO TIME FOR REACTION. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER 50 TIMES! A FEW OF THE TIMES ALMOST RESULTED IN FATAL CONSEQUENCES IN HIGH TRAFFIC. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND THE NEXT DAY HAD THE SAME ISSUE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS NOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY AND TWO DAYS LATER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.CONTACTED GMC BY PHONE AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WASN'T ON THE SAFETY RECALL LIST. I REALLY NEED SOME ADVICE OR HELP BEFORE IT COSTS MY WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN THEIR LIVES! *TR
WHEN FILLING GAS TANK, GAS PUMP KEEPS CLICKING OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. ALTHOUGH, THE FILLING PROCESS HAS JUST STARTED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HAS RECEIVED REPAIRS FOR THIS ISSUE.. *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
I HAVE 4 MICHELIN TIRES PURCHASED FROM COSTCO LATE 2013, TYPE: LT265/75R16, DOT M34N 00CX. LESS THAN 30K MILES ON ALL 4. ALL 4 TIRES ARE HEAVILY CRACKED ALL AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. I CALLED MICHELIN AND THEY STATED THERE IS NO RECALL BUT I'VE NEVER HAD OR SEEN ANY TIRES DO THIS BEFORE AND I'M CONCERNED THEY COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, EXPLODE, OR SHRED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
VEHICLE IS A 2004 GMC YUKON XL1500. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES UNEXPECTEDLY, AND THE DIGITAL DISPLAY WARNING "TRACTION ACTIVE" IS GIVEN. THE PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY RANDOM, HOWEVER IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME NOW. THE PROBLEM PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND, AS THE SUDDEN SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE ABS ENGAGEMENT, FOLLOWED BY A LURCH FORWARD AFTER THE ABS RELEASES COULD CAUSE VEHICLE COLLISIONS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING WHEN ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK. OFF/ON AT RANDOM. KNOCKING SOUND STARTED ABOUT THE SAME TIME. TOOK CAR IN TO BE CHECKED OUT. WAS TOLD BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED, AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE PAID FOR REPAIR OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TALKED TO OUR DEALERSHIP, HOLMAN IN CINCINNATI OH, ABOUT BREAKS. NO RECALL LISTED. THEY HAVE NEVER TOLD US THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. OFFERED US $150 BRAKE KIT TO DO OURSELVES (CANT DO) OR THEY CAN DO IT FOR $1500-2000. CAN'T AFFORD. IT SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY, EPIC FAIL GMC. WE BOUGHT A HONDA.
BRAKE HOSE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEVELOPED PINHOLE LEAK DUE TO HEAVY RUST. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE BLEEDER SCREWS RUSTED SOLID- CAN'T BLEED LINES AFTER REPAIRS. IT APPEARS THAT INFERIOR QUALITY METAL BRAKE LINES WERE USED THAT RUST EASILY. THIS IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND GM NEEDS TO HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS VERY SERIOUS CRASHES MAY OCCUR. *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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHIELD ASSEMBLY WAS BROKEN. THE PULL DOWN BAR THAT CONNECTED TO THE CAR SEAT FRACTURED. ALSO, A SPRING DISCONNECTED RESULTING IN VISIBLE AND TANGIBLE SHARP EDGES. THE CAR SEAT MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND OFFERED A REPLACEMENT CAR SEAT. COSCO, MODEL# 02-537-EBK, DOM- 09/07/2001. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHAFT INTERNAL TO POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE CAUSING SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES WERE FOUND DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON XL. THE DRIVE- FRONT WHEEL HUB MADE A RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. . HE CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 07E106000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB). HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,200.
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
GMC YUKON XL DENALI -TRACTION STABILITY PROBLEM REGISTERS ON DASH AND CAR BOGS DOWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE IF YOU LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL SEEM TO IMPROVE - TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND HAD WHEEL SENSOR REPLACED DID NOT IMPROVE TILL RUST BUILD UP WAS REMOVED FROM ON THE SPLINED HUB IT HAS SINCE RETURNED - WENT ON LINE AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR PROBLEMS BUT DID NOT FIND ANY ANSWERS OF DEALERS BEING ABLE TO CORRECT - COULD BE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE REAR END COLLISIONS IF SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE IN THE REAR SINCE THE VEHICLE NEARLY COMES TO A STOP. *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 .