Most common 2005 GMC Yukon problems
Share of the 134 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon complaints by model year
Best Yukon years: 2014, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →
2005 GMC Yukon recalls (3)
Seat belts › Rear/other
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing May make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position.
Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2005.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer May be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on March 10, 2005.
Power train › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
What 2005 GMC Yukon owners say
Electrical system all 47 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC Yukon. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the air conditioner vents. In addition, the cable under the dashboard on the passenger side caught fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Interior vehicle fire in dash. 1st smoke then center of dash erupted into flames. Vehicle is now totalled. GMC is aware of this condition and issued no recalls. Appears service bulletins were issued about replacing over heating resistors for the (havc) operating system. The fan would either stop working in a few positions /stop working all together or overheat and set fire.
Brakes
The contact owned a 2005 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 80 MPH in an interstate with her in the passenger seat and her two children in the rear seats, the steering wheel seized inadvertently and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle veered off to the left side of the road. The contact stated as her husband was trying to regain control of the vehicle, the tires hit the pavement and the vehicle rolled over 7 times in a ditch, within 180 yards and landed on its passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and her husband noticed that the children were no longer in the vehicle and they immediately exited the vehicle through the front driver's side window to search for them. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard abnormally when depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer (keyes woodland hills Buick GMC, 6133 topanga canyon blvd, los angeles, ca 91367) who informed the contact that a recall did not exist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 05V103000 (service brakes), but the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that after his wife turned off the vehicle, the blower motor control module continued to operate and would not shut off as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back home and had a mechanically inclined friend to disconnect the blower motor wiring harness. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
My Yukon xl 1500 years 2005 MIL 144,254 my oil is fully synthetic every 3months why is my lifters is knocking? I drive my Yukon xl on a long road trip. On every long drive me and my family. I do my oil so it's fresh. Hope you can help me?
2005 GMC Yukon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 GMC Yukon a good car?
Based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Yukon rates average: 27% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Yukon at the same age. 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 2005 GMC Yukon?
The electrical system — 47 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the brakes (16) and engine & cooling (15).
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Yukon have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 GMC Yukon, the most recent from April 22, 2005 (rear/other). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Yukon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Yukon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 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.