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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The check engine warning light and another unknown warning light were illuminated, and a message was displayed that the gas port was reducing power. On a separate occasion, the vehicle started to lose motive power and then the vehicle started to shake. The vehicle was losing power and shaking until the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted and drove normally for six months without failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with throttle body failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted three more times with different diagnoses. The vehicle was taken to other independent mechanics however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle in, the dealer discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy, per the Carfax report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 165,563. The actual mileage could not be determined because the Carfax report displayed that the mileage had drastically fluctuated over the years. No other agency was contacted.
My kids and I was on the interstate and all of sudden my yukon reduce engine power.Dropping to 30 in a speed zone of 70.I was very afraid for our safety and appreciate there concerns for reducing engine power to save the truck,but that's very dangerous. So I paid to replace the throttle body and gas pedal cause that was the codes for the problem. But it's still doing the same thing and I don't have money to keep buying parts.Plus it a gm problem and I really need some help with the fixture..
It is just like the the service bulletin out for the 2006 and later gmc sierra except it's for a 2004 gmc Yukon slt 4x4 4.8L. It is going into reduced engine power mode and it has to do with the throttle actuator control module. Throws code P2108
There are several complaints, on the 2004 GMC denalis. It's like it starts slow your gauges go out. You have no idea how fast you are going! Then the oil, temp for engine, and transmission. Which I had to replace. Then the brakes get a mind of their own. Recently the radio & lights are acting up which is scary, I have a 7 yr. Old. The heat in the back doesn't work for her, so I have several blankets for her. The television quit long ago, it was one of the reasons we bought the car, so kids could watch television on long trips, or whenever. We paid a lot for this vehicle, I would think GMC would step up and do the right thing and correct the product they stand by,and are very proud of. I would love to just purchase a new vehicle. I do not have that luxury, I lost my job, we are pay check to pay check with my husbands income. …
At approximately 1:54 pm I was leaving work and I didn't get about 1,000 feet when I began to see smoke coming from the center console area where the cigarette lighter was. I pulled over into a gas station and took the cup holders out trying to search where the smoke was coming from. I then saw smoke coming from the vents on the dashboard. I also saw smoke coming from the battery compartment under the hood. I opened the hood and more smoke with coming from the vent. I opened the passenger side door and saw that behind the center console just under the cd play, the wires were on fire and the fire continued to become larger. I called the fire department at 1:56 pm and again at 1:59 pm when they arrived and the entire dashboard was burning. The vehicle's dashboard was completely melted along with the controls above by the sunroof. The vehicle is a complete loss. …
Rear bucket seat (driver's side) caught fire. Fire attributed to seat heater failure by each the 1) fire marshal, 2) GMC dealer and 3) geico. Car was unoccupied, parked for approximately 2 hours before returning to open car and find car seat on fire. Car seat was not used by any passengers for at least a week prior to the fire. There were only two passengers using the car during an out-of-town trip when the fire occurred on fourth day. Thus, car seat heater some how turned itself on, remained on, overheated, and caught seat cushion material on fire. Luckily, car was parked turned off completely (except for seat heater!), locked and unoccupied. Further, fire was discovered before spreading, engulfing car and endangering others in the busy school parking lot. …
I was on my way home from work. I ended up getting just a few rain drops so I click my wiper switch one time, it didn't come on. ( puzzled ) so I repeated to get to water off window ,1 click at a time the wipers didn't come on until I was at high. Of course , now they are on high and rain is gone, now I can't get the blades to stop in the off position. Well, I had to pull over I couldn't concentrate on what just happened to my wipers? As well as drive. This happened on July 10, 2019. I've called GMC a couple times, 1st time they just closed next time I didnt transfer to service dept . I just think , there should be something to notify you , I just happened to get home before the storm hit. I was on a county road when it happened. Thank you for your time.
First the airbag warning light came on. This has been an ongoing issue since 2008. My speedometer registered the wrong speed. My settings for the seat and mirrors quit working over time.hot air would come out of my vents when the air conditioner was on randomly. Radio, navigation, heat, air conditioner and mirrors would turn on/off randomly without touching controls. The last 3 years went through 3 batteries in 3 years. Tests showed at least 5 things are actively draining battery in the fuse box. Issues happened mostly when car was on but mirrors would randomly move when car was not on, very creepy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the rear seat radio function was not functioning. The contact noticed the console was extremely hot. The dealer was made aware of the failure but a diagnostic test was not performed. Also, the contact stated that the passenger side daytime running headlight bulb was replaced three different times. The contact noticed the light bulbs that were removed were black and appeared melted on the bottom. The vehicle was not repaired for the radio failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60.
Electrical complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 114 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 GMC Yukon, 43% of the model year's 268 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (65 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 GMC Yukon electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2004 GMC Yukon, 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 2004 GMC Yukon electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires 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.