Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH and exiting the highway, the brake pedal was depressed but the brake pedal was stiff and stuck, requiring that the transmission be shifted to neutral(N), and to stand on the brake pedal with both feet. The contact continuously pumped the brake pedal, but the vehicle slowly responded and almost crashed into other vehicles. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife and daughter were also inside the vehicle during the failure and were frightened and concerned for their safety during the failure. The dealer was contacted and was provided a description of the failure over the phone. The dealer informed the contact that the vacuum pump and an unknown part had possibly failed. …
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to steer the vehicle into a parking lot. The contact stated that his wife attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that his wife observed that the check engine warning light illuminated while attempting to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the vehicle had been towed to the same dealer for a failure to start. The contact stated that the starter motor and a 12-Volt battery were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH to work, the vehicle shifted into neutral and into low and failed to drive at about 20 MPH. The check engine light was flashing. The front collision was unavailable. The contact left the vehicle at a gas station. Upon research, the contact located NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V374000 (Power Train), which was similar to the failure. The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed there were no open recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted via chat, who referred her to the local dealer and manufacturer service center. The contact informed her to confirm the coverage with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 283,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle started shaking with a tapping sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around the block, the failure persisted. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lifters in the engine were loose, and the lifters and the right side of the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. While the contact's wife was driving 50 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start several times; however, the battery and the alternator were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and was towed to the destination. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. and no warning lights were illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the crankshaft was faulty, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Yukon XL. The contact stated that while stopped at traffic light, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of a cylinder #1 misfire that had damaged the lifters. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle had exceeded mileage for the warranty coverage. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,345.
My wife drives a 2015 GMC Denali with the 6.2L engine. My daughter has an almost identical 2016 Denali with the same 6.2L engine. The 2015 had a serious event at approximately 125,000 miles when one of the rocker arm springs broke under ordinary driving conditions and caused the vehicle to be disabled in the midst of heavy traffic. The 2016 had a virtually identical event at 135,000 miles, which caused the rod to be ingested into the cylinder. I believe the rocker arm springs on these engines are defective, also evidenced by after-market double springs being sold for this engine. I have replaced all rocker arm springs on the 2016 with double springs and will do so shortly on the 2015. The GM dealer in Corpus Christi, TX where we had the 2016 towed told me that the only solution for it was to replace the entire engine at a cost of $11,000+. …
While traveling at highway speed, without warning, check engine light started flashing. Pulled off the highway at the next exit and vehicle died in the middle of the road. Towed vehicle to mechanic who inspected vehicle and found no compression (zero psi) on cylinder 1 indicating a major engine failure, rendering engine unrepairable and the vehicle worthless. Either cam, lifter, piston failure in cylinder 1 causing massive engine failure and making the engine unrepairable due to metal shavings in the engine. This is the L87 engine, 6.2L V8 that has been plagued by problems by millions of GM owners. This car had been meticulously serviced and maintained with regularly scheduled full synthetic oil changes. The car have no indication of engine problems beforehand until the engine blew up at highway speeds.
In December 2024 took my GMC Yukon XL to a mechanic. They replaced the lifter in the driver side of the engine. 2500 miles later it is back in the shop for the same side. Now there is a bent rod. One of the lifter/Rod spots collapsed. The mechanic is in contact with the local GMC dealer to figure out what the next steps are. The recent symptoms had to have car towed back to Fairly reliable Bobs mechanic. Pictures were taken and sent to GMC. First time this happened I heard a Tic in the engine and took it straight to the mechanic. second time this happened. Engine light came on flashing, Trackton light came on, Lost power, there was a shimmy when slowing down and a shake at the stop. I will note the second time this happened below.
Engine complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 GMC Yukon XL, 9% of the model year's 308 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 GMC Yukon XL engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 GMC Yukon XL, though it has 2 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 2015 GMC Yukon XL engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.