Most common 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon Denali XL complaints by model year
Best Yukon Denali XL years: 2006, 2014, 2003. Years to avoid: 2011, 2015. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL:
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
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…
What 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL owners say
Lights all 36 →
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. The contact stated that the passenger's side taillight failed to illuminate intermittently while depressing the brake pedal. Over time, the driver's side taillight also would fail to illuminate with the brake pedal depressed. The contact then received a warranty notice from the local dealer about the failure however, the contact was informed when speaking to the dealer that due to the mileage on her vehicle, the vehicle no longer qualified under the warranty program. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Our passenger taillight went out and the dealership cost to replace it was $811. I called GMC customer service and after 4 days and multiple phone calls the best they could offer in financial assistance was $80. I asked the dealership if I could have the broken light and they wanted me to pay $50 to take it with me. A google search turned up many instances of this happening. The dealership told me that they replace 1-2 per week. The taillight replacement on the Yukon family is a scam. It is unethical for them to charge that much for a replacement when it is inown to be defective. The car is less than 4 years old and has 66K miles and has not been in any collisions. Just normal routine use resulted in a costly repair and, more importantly, irresponsible customer service from the GMC employees who were in charge of handling my case.
Electrical system
I put in another complaint and forgot to add maybe the most important details!!!! I have noticed my cruise control, check engine light, brake lights, and remote start though I'm having issues with them all working only when they want to it seems when it's hot outside all of these things go hay wire and when it's freezing cold (colorado winter) everything works fine. Today high of 40 everything is working fine... Highs in the 80+ everything seems to not work. So it's basically boiling down to electrical issues when it's hot and no issues when it's freezing cold. Can someone please fix this!!!! I've seen numerous complaints of others having the same issues with heat and electrical issues.(cargurus.com) please someone do something GM needs to fix this!!!!!!!! I only hope others have made these complaints so GM can be held responsible! 800$ for a brake light get out of here!!!!!!!! …
At 75,000 miles I wouldn't expect to have this many issues out of such a nice expensive truck... The check engine lights comes on and off and it pleases. When the check engine light is on the remote start doesn't work. The tail lights work when they want to and to fix a tail light just 1 is $800.00. While driving all types of warnings and lights start coming on in a rapid warning annoyance. I've never hooked a trailer to this truck and it keeps giving me some type of trailer braking system warning. The cruise control works when it wants to. Big issue!!!!! The transmission is slipping!!!!!!!!!!!! When driving it will give a hard jerk as if it's having trouble shifting. Doing this at any speeds, anytime during accelerating. So many issues out of this truck it's to the point we are throwing away a ton of money onthis thing!!!!!
Transmission & drivetrain
Active fuel management system in 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL-- engine was running in traffic and stalled out at intersection making a turn. Dealership diagnosed as bent push rod, broken valve spring, broken lifter. This has been linked to faulty active fuel management system with GMC engines. There is an active service bulletin from GM concerning this problem. Under existing powertrain warranty, GM agrees to fix the broken engine components, but will not address the underlying root cause of the problem, the afm system. The GM customer service rep stated that it is not GM's current policy to address the afm system even though it is a known problem. The dealership service department agrees this is the problem. Documentation online from other consumers validates that this is a widespread issue. …
At 75,000 miles I wouldn't expect to have this many issues out of such a nice expensive truck... The check engine lights comes on and off and it pleases. When the check engine light is on the remote start doesn't work. The tail lights work when they want to and to fix a tail light just 1 is $800.00. While driving all types of warnings and lights start coming on in a rapid warning annoyance. I've never hooked a trailer to this truck and it keeps giving me some type of trailer braking system warning. The cruise control works when it wants to. Big issue!!!!! The transmission is slipping!!!!!!!!!!!! When driving it will give a hard jerk as if it's having trouble shifting. Doing this at any speeds, anytime during accelerating. So many issues out of this truck it's to the point we are throwing away a ton of money onthis thing!!!!!
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Yukon Denali XL rates avoid: 2.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon Denali XL at the same age. It is one of the Yukon Denali XL years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL?
The lights — 36 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tail lights. Next are the electrical system (16) and transmission & drivetrain (9).
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Yukon Denali XL?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2014 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011 and 2015. See the full GMC Yukon Denali XL years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.