Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Since first purchase, the ever present concern, inherent within our general motors GMC Yukon XL, have grown; to whereby, they are safety, security, and well-being concerns; as yet, neither addressed nor corrected by the general motors company GMC division. With just one of the many concerns, the squeaking, clunking locking steering, when turning: service bulletin number: 01863, NHTSA item number: 10006616. Since first purchase, we have been ignored, LED on, and misled, which created time expiration. Since the beginning, with the ever present concerns, we questioned the build quality of our general motors GMC Yukon XL; without any response, at all! Safety, security, and well-being concerns should neither have a time limit nor constraints.
On arrival from 80-mile trip, we parked vehicle and turned-off ignition. Upon alighting from vehicle, we detected a burning odor. Inspection revealed smoke released through front grille. Release of hood allowed smoke to billow-out. Flames emerged immediately, spreading quickly from engine bay rearward, engulfing entire vehicle, which was destroyed, along with other vehicle parked alongside. Fire department responded to immediate call for help and extinguished all fires within 30 minutes of call.
My 2004 Yukon has at least three major leaks in the brake lines caused by corrosion. Research found that this defect was identified shortly after the vehicles were sold new but refused to issue recalls. I was in a near accident when my brakes went completely to the floor suddenly. Also the stabilizer system fails without notice and the dash instrument cluster (gas gauge, temp gauge, voltage and oil pressure gauges works on and off.
Cluster dashboard fails to light up when the key turns on the vehicle. None is the dashboard indicators move or light up, not able to see speed, miles, gas gage, etc. It takes 40 minute into a drive before it turns on randomly.
Since first purchase, the ever present concerns , inherent in our general motors GMC Yukon XL, have grown; to whereby, they are safety, security, and well-being concerns; as yet to be addressed and corrected bybgeneral motors. For just one of the many, true concerns: the squeaking, clunking, locking steering, when turning: a) servuce bulletin number: 01863. B) NHTSA item numer: 10006616. C) summary description: lack of steering assist when stopped or during parking lot type manuevers. As shared, this is only one of the numerous, ever present, safety, security, and well-being concerns; as yet to be addressed and corrected, by the general motors company . Since first purchase, we have been ignored, LED on, and misled, which created time expiration. Since the beginning, with the ever present concerns, we questioned the build quality of our general motors GMC Yukon XL; without any response! …
Speedometer failure. After 5 minute stop with engine off, speedometer registered approx 55 while going 25. Pulled over, stopped, shut down and restarted. Speedometer stuck at 60. Kept climbing while stopped. Then when driving speed added to higher set point. Read over 100 MPH at stop 2 miles later. There are 100's of complaints about this problem at http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/Chevrolet-tahoe/t2bgkbgi55eknu77c/p11 clearly not a normal wear problem on vehicle. This is clearly a recall. Just a matter of time before someone dies because of this problem. Very difficult to detect while driving, especially at night, you are trained to trust the instruments, not your instincts. Some have indicated problem of speed reading too low, that is very dangerous. This should be addressed immediately.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Yukon XL. While driving 50 MPH, the speedometer froze and displayed 75 MPH. The contact was unaware of the correct speed that he was actually driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the speedometer failed. The repair would cost $350, but no repairs have yet been made. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that a class action law suit was filed, which would repair the speedometer up to 70,000 miles or seven years. Because the contact's vehicle was at 100,000 miles, no compensation would be provided. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 101,2000. Updated 3/5/09 updated 03/10/09.
Tl contact owns a 2004 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the speedometer displays inaccurate speeds. While idling, the speedometer will read 40 MPH or jump from 40 MPH to 100 MPH. The only new equipment was the rear bumper, which was replaced in 2006. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the VIN was included in a recall. However, they would not repair the vehicle for free due to the mileage. The tire pressure warning light was the only indicator illuminated on the instrument panel at the time of the failures. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 101,000 and current mileage was 110,000.
Reduced power indicator on information center comes on intermittently, when it does, vehicles goes into default mode & can go max 30 MPH (very dangerous, was almost rear ended). Never know when it might happen. You can pull over shut engine off sit for a little while & it will start up & run fine until the next time the reduced power light comes on. Have had it @ several shops & replaced throttle sensor, traced wires, replaced grounds, inspected harness but doesn't seem to help. I see on the online message boards there is a lot of problems that GM can't seem to find a fix for. It is very dangerous, someone is going to get killed.
Like many other complaints on this and other web sights speedometer and tachometer do not read correctly. Last Friday,I drove from wichita,kansas to wichita falls,texas at 100 MPH and 6000 rpms according to the instruments. Luckily I have a global positioning system that also gives MPH and I was able to control the speed with it. I also had zero oil pressure at various times according to the gauge. This seems to be a much too common problem with GMC and other GM products of this year. I feel GM should have to pay for the repairs and not the public that has spent good money to buy these vehicles.
Electrical complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 GMC Yukon XL, 34% of the model year's 87 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 GMC Yukon XL electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Yukon XL electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.