RoadVitals

2015 GMC Yukon Xl Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Nov 13, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 306 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 GMC Yukon Xl submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineSteering
Filed Nov 13, 2023

My engine went out, and I had to have it rebuilt. There was a check engine light on. My steering goes out and in without warning while driving. I have talked to the dealership, and they stated that all safety recalls were done on my vehicle. My safety and those of others were put at risk when the steering failed. I almost crashed my vehicle in traffic. There were no warning messages prior to the failure. I did see that there was a recall in 2019 and the dealership will not inspect the vehicle without payment.

NHTSA ID
11554898
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 4, 2023

My car is giving me all kinds of warnings, parking assist off, rear back up, trailer brake, the radio sounds go off, blinker sounds go off, while trying to park power steering locks up, it will die in the middle of a turn. It’s doing everything The 2015 recall was created for. I do not think my car was fixed during the recall period. It is very hazardous.

NHTSA ID
11542538
Incident
Jan 2, 2023
Steering
Filed Sep 13, 2022

My Wife was driving at a low speed completing a right hand turn through an intersection and as she completed the turn the vehicle completely lost all steering. The vehicle ran up onto a curb but she was able to stop before she hit a poll. The vehicle was towed home and I found that there was no power to the steering wheel controls, the horn didn't work and there were Electronic Steering warnings. I also found that the steering wheel could spin freely like a top without any movement of the wheels. Upon examination in the engine compartment I found that the bottom of the steering shaft was completely disconnected and the single bolt that holds the 2 pieces together was missing. I took the vehicle to the local GMC dealership and they conformed that the bolt was missing and the shafts came apart which lead to the steering failure. The free movement of the steering wheel caused the internal malfunction of the steering wheel electronics. Prior to the steering failure there was no indications of any steering issues. The steering warning lights didn't come on until the steering failure. My Wife and children were about to get on the freeway when the failure occurred and could have led to a fatal accident if this failure occurred while she was driving on the freeway. I contacted GM and opened a case but was informed that they would not provide any assistance with the repair which is about $2900. I don't understand how GM would design a steering shaft that has a single point failure that could lead to a catastrophic failure. The vehicle has 120K miles and has never been in any accidents. I expect a basic safety feature such as the steering to never fail during operation. I will never purchase another GM vehicle and will tell as many people as I can about the potential failure. GM case# [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11484325
Incident
Aug 27, 2022
Steering
Filed Aug 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the steering wheel hardened as both a warning chime and a service power steering warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he crossed two lanes of traffic before gaining control of the vehicle's power steering. Excessive force was used to steer the vehicle to his place of work. The contact called several dealers as well as the manufacturer who all informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V719000 (Steering). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID
11478575
Incident
Aug 10, 2022
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The contact indicated that recently when the failure occurred the vehicle also shut off nearly causing a crash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the battery cables needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V586000 (Steering) however, the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11437454
Incident
Oct 17, 2021
Mileage
75,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 4, 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INSTITUTE STEERING POWER AND COULD BARELY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE POWER ASSIST WARNING, STABILIZE,AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER WINDOWS WOULDN'T GO UP.

NHTSA ID
11377975
Incident
Dec 3, 2020
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE IN EITHER DIRECTION. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THOMPSON BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 2600 WAKE FOREST RD. RALEIGH NC, 27609, (919)809-6217, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
11298106
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 30, 2019

WHEN PARKING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, THE MONITOR THAT PLAYS THE RADIO SHUTS OF AND MY SPEEDOMETER MONITOR SHOWS 3 TO 4 DIFFERENT WARNINGS SUCH AS BRAKE ASSIST OFF, PARK ASSIST OFF, STABILITRAK AND POWER STEERING. THIS IS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AS WELL AS WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK.

NHTSA ID
11204771
Incident
Apr 30, 2019
Mileage
64,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2019

I WAS DRIVING UP NORTH IN 4WHEEL DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION CAM OUT OF GEAR I STOPPED THE VECHILE AND RESTARTED NOW THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND STEERING IS HARD TO STEER AND IT GOES IN AND OUT

NHTSA ID
11190131
Incident
Mar 19, 2019
Driver assistanceExterior lightingSteering
Filed Feb 5, 2019

THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE MADE TO NHTSA. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS SPONTANEOUSLY TURNING OFF AND SHUTTING DOWN DURING BACKING IN AND TURNS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS RESULTED IN A RECALL, AND A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" THAT WAS DONE TWICE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. RIGHT AND BACK PASSENGER LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK ON AND OFF AND WATER GETS INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS M ISSUE. THIS TIME THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT CAME AND THE CAR APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN "4WD LOW" MAKING IT "DRAG" AT A REDUCED SPEED WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, THE "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE" LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY. I HAVE NEVER USED THE TRAILER BRAKE. I TOOK IT INTO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, SELLERS GMC IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MI. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW "MODULE", SO I PAID TO HAVE THAT DONE. WITHIN ONE DAY THE SAME SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. "SERVICE 4 WD" AND "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE." I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AND AM NOW BEING TOLD IT NEEDS ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE AND A NEW TRAILER BRAKE TRANSFER SWITCH. QUITE FRANKLY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS MODEL HAS SIGNIFICANT, UNADDRESSED COMPUTER SOFTWARE ISSUES AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHO TO FIX IT. THE CAR IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT SPONTANEOUSLY STOPS WORKING APPROPRIATELY DURING DRIVING. THE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN VARIOUS AND ALWAYS SEEM TO AFFECT STEERING, WHEN TURNING OR BACKING IN. I AM BEING CHARGED FOR VARIOUS CONTROL PANELS AND MODULES. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS CONCERN GETS ADDRESSED BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS INJURY. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE FIXED AND RETURNED TO A SAFE CONDITION. I WAS NEVER TOLD UPON PURCHASE, THAT THIS MODEL WOULD REQUIRE SO MANY "SOFTWARE" UPDATES TO REMAIN SAFE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A BURDEN PLACED ON A CONSUMER FOR A VEHICLE TO OPERATE SAFELY. THIS IS DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID
11174459
Incident
Jan 22, 2019
Mileage
78,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 23, 2018

I'VE EXPERIENCED 2 POWER STEERING FAILURES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST, THE EPS FAILED (WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR MANY OF THE SAME MODEL--BUT NOT MINE) WHICH I REPLACED. NOW, POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE STEERING GEAR PER THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! WITH THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, IF YOUR HANDS ARE NOT GRASPING THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY, THE CAR WILL VEER SHARPLY TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT. AND STEERING THIS BEAST WITH NO POWER STEERING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. MANY DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OVERPOWER THE DEAD ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. THE FIRST WARNING CAME AS LOUD SCREECHING SOUNDS FROM THE STEERING AT LOW SPEED. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT, AND "JOLTING" THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SCREECHING STOPPED AT SPEED, BUT THE JITTERING/JOLTING OF THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM CONTINUED. THIS IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION, ESPECIALLY WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11097666
Incident
May 20, 2018
Mileage
62,939 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .