Model year record
2015 GMC Yukon Denali recalls & problems
The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 73 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (40 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2015 GMC Yukon Denali SUV RWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 22.9% |
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2015 GMC Yukon Denali SUV 4WD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 22.2% |
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lightingBrake lights | 40 | 60,000 mi |
| Electrical system | 11 | 64,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 52,000 mi |
| Power train | 8 | 55,500 mi |
| Service brakes | 5 | 72,000 mi |
| Engine | 4 | 62,000 mi |
| Suspension | 4 | 61,000 mi |
| Steering | 4 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | — |
| Structure | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
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 passengerâs 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…
- Power train
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…
- Engine
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 passengerâs 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…
- Power train
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…
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
- Electrical system
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.
- Service brakes
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.
- Electrical system
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!
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Brake Vacuum Pump FailureClosedLed to recall 19V645000
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil…