Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated he was following behind in another vehicle and noticed that the taillights were out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed exterior lighting assembly. The exterior lighting assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated he replaced the exterior lighting assembly three times since March 2022. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,554.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger's side taillight was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the front passenger's side headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,415.
Tail lights are not functioning properly. N182180270 was issued due to very common issue but no recall. The special adjustment only covers up to 72,000 miles. I now have 106,000 so not covered? Serious safety issue if brake lights are malfunctioning and GM aware of issue. If technician checking lights and they are intermittently working, then I drive away from dealer and they intermittently no longer work, that is a serious safety issue and a recall should happen. I took my vehicle in for an oil change and on the drive to have serviced I was told by my wife driving behind me that the right rear brake light wasn't working. I asked tech to check. Technician confirmed but states left isn't working either. Yet on drive to drop the vehicle for oil change the left was working. And we have a time stamped photo as proof(attached). …
I received a letter from GMC dated December 2019 warning of brake lights intermittenly not illuminating. I have periodically checked the lights for failure over the last 3 years. On September 8, 2022, a motorist pulled beside me and informed me that my brake lights were not working. I confirmed that the lights were not working and called GMC regarding the letter I had received in 2019 and was told that a recall had not been issued and that my vehicle was outside the 6 year eligibility period. This defect is Extremely Dangerous to myself and others due to the inherent unpredicability and unreliabilty of an important safety necessity, i.e., knowing that others will see that I am stopping/slowing down. I believe that due to the intermittent nature of the failure of a highly necessary safety feature, GMC should issue a recall to repair at no cost ALL vehicles.
Breaks are faulty, lights continue to go out in the rear after only a year after purchase. I've read other complaints about these issues. could be wiring or electrical issue with the breaks. Engine sounds like a plane is about to take off, has had starting problems. Overall horrible vehicle. There are a lot of problems with the vehicle, the lights are extremely dangerous as person behind would not know if I'm stopping when they fail to work and can cause a serious accident. Engine is a major concern as well.
Yes, that case number would be 91762225 (With GM). You are most welcome. Thank you for contacting Chevrolet Customer Assistance and have a nice day! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything else. VIN1GKS2HKC8FR165487 Special Coverage Adjustment N182180270 Tail Lamps Inoperative Having issues described by NTSA and vehicle has 62,000 miles but falls after the expiration date. I contacted GM and they were very nice but they were unwilling to help in any way. Any help would be appreciated.
I have had to replace both front and rear exterior lighting in past (3). Now my rear brake light is now out. This makes 3 exterior that I've had to complete replace. Went out suddenly. No way to replace bulbs, dealer reports Entire assembly needs replacing at cost of almost $1000. There has to be a design flaw that every exterior lighting has gone out for so many owners and has to be REPLACED. There should be a recall on this. This model has had so many costly issues.
This is a common issue that is not being resolved by GM. First one, now BOTH of my rear tail lights are malfunctioning due to manufacturing defects. This is a well publicized problem and I feel that GM should be responsible for continuing to ignore the issue. Replacement tail lights are approximately $750 each. There are many businesses that have sprung up solely to repair these tail lights.
The brake lights intermittently come on and off. Not reliable and the entire assembly has to be replaced per light in order to work. Sometimes if you hit a bump it will work for a bit then go back out. They have been removed, cleaned, but there is no way to fix them without replacing them. This is a known problem with GMC and they will not warranty or recall this issue.
LED Brake Lights fail due to design error typically on both side of the vehicle. I have found multiple reports of a failure on a circuit board that was poorly designed. A copper tracing is very narrow and fractures due to vibration resulting in Brake Light failure. Because the entire module must be replaced the repair costs $800-$900 per side.
Headlight complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2015 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 140 complaints about the lights of the 2015 GMC Yukon XL, 45% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 GMC Yukon XL headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 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.