IllustrationMY PASSENGER SIDE TAIL BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INCONSISTENTLY
2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Xl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Yukon Denali Xl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
1225–50K
2950–75K
775–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
55 reports with mileage · 10 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
65 reportsTHE TAIL LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE LED LIGHTS. THEY ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. ONE SIDE WILL SOMETIMES COME BACK ON IF I BUMP IT WITH MY HAND. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS STARTED OCCURRING BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1500 TO FIX. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD …
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THE TAIL LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE LED LIGHTS. THEY ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. ONE SIDE WILL SOMETIMES COME BACK ON IF I BUMP IT WITH MY HAND. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS STARTED OCCURRING BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1500 TO FIX. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMEN PROBLEM WITH THE 2015 MODEL. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY GM THROUGH A RECALL. BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SHORT OR DEFECT OF SOME KIND.
AT 44K MILES ON THE VEHICLE, NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (LEDS) WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, AT REST OR WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCLUDES BOTH THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. PHYSICALLY TAPPING ON THE HOUSING LIGHTS THEM UP TEMPORARILY, BUT IT DOES NOT STAY LIT. DEALER WANTS OVER 700 DOLLARS TO REP…
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AT 44K MILES ON THE VEHICLE, NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (LEDS) WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, AT REST OR WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCLUDES BOTH THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. PHYSICALLY TAPPING ON THE HOUSING LIGHTS THEM UP TEMPORARILY, BUT IT DOES NOT STAY LIT. DEALER WANTS OVER 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THESE LED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLYS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE, IN THAT THE CIRCUIT INSIDE THE ASSEMBLE BRAKES, AND THE LIGHTS WILL NOT LIGHT UP. THE LED BULBS THEMSELVES STILL WOULD WORK, IF THE CIRCUIT TO THEM WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CALL OUT THE MANUFACTURE ON THIS ONE. ITS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, NOT BAD BULBS! PLEASE HELP. HERE IS ONE FORUM THAT HAS MANY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT IT. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T53845_DS768963
RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT IS NOT WORKING TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKS WHEN SELECTING DRIVE FROM REVERSE. WHEN ROLLING SLOW IN A PARKING LOT, SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY HARSH CLUNK AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT ME IN THE REAREND. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT.
MY GMC YUKON XL VIBRATES BADLY AT ALL SPEEDS BUT INTENSIFIES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-55. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE WHOLE FRAME OF THE CAR. THE CABIN CREATES A THROBBIING SOUND, LIKE A HELICOPTER INSIDE THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. THE CAR CONSUMES OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKS OR NOTICABLE…
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MY GMC YUKON XL VIBRATES BADLY AT ALL SPEEDS BUT INTENSIFIES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-55. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE WHOLE FRAME OF THE CAR. THE CABIN CREATES A THROBBIING SOUND, LIKE A HELICOPTER INSIDE THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. THE CAR CONSUMES OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE WITH NO VISIBLE LEAKS OR NOTICABLE EXHAUST. THE CAR SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY SOMETHINES AROUND CORNERS OR BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS. AND THE REAR "CLUNKS" WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED SUCH AS ONTO A HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. THE REARVIEW CAMERA A IS TOTALLY WORTHELSS IN LOW LIGHT LEVELS AND CANNOT BE USED FOR SAFE BACK UP OPERATIONS. DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR FOR OVER 50 DAYS AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, HAS REPLACED THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS AND HAS CHANGED FLUISD AS PER GM INSTRUCTION. IN ALL THIS TIME AND OVER 6 VISITS, THEY CANNOT FIX AND HAVE TOLD ME THAT GM HAS SAID THIS IS THE "NEW NORMAL". IF THIS IS NORMAL, WHY DID THEY SPEND SO MUCH TO TRY AND FIX SOMETHIG THAT WAS NOT WRONG? THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY BECUASE OF ALL OF THE FACTORY OPTIONS ON THE CAR AND THAT DEGRADES THE QUOALITY OF THE IMAGE. GM HAS NOT CONTACTED ME ALTHOUGH I HAVE REQUESTED THROUGH THE DEALER THAT THEY DO SO. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC CARS OF THIS YEARS MODEL. I WOUL DLIKE TO SEE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST GMC TO CORRECT THIS OR MAKE ME WHOLE.
WHILE IN MOTION MY VEHICLE SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AT TIMES. IT DISPLAYS WARNINGS THAT STABILITRACK HAS BEEN DISABLED AND SHUITS DOWN EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. AT SOME POINTS IT DOESNT SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN, BUT INSTEAD HESITATES AND THEN PICKS BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS WHETHER IT BE …
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WHILE IN MOTION MY VEHICLE SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AT TIMES. IT DISPLAYS WARNINGS THAT STABILITRACK HAS BEEN DISABLED AND SHUITS DOWN EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. AT SOME POINTS IT DOESNT SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN, BUT INSTEAD HESITATES AND THEN PICKS BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS WHETHER IT BE ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNING, OR DRIVING CITY ROADS.
LED BRAKE LIGHT ALREADY BURNT OUT AND ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. OVER $600 TO FIX A LIGHT THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE A UNLIMITED LIFE....
ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL-- ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND STALLED OUT AT INTERSECTION MAKING A TURN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS BENT PUSH ROD, BROKEN VALVE SPRING, BROKEN LIFTER. THIS HAS BEEN LINKED TO FAULTY ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH GMC ENGINES. THERE IS AN ACTIVE SERVICE BULLETIN FR…
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ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL-- ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND STALLED OUT AT INTERSECTION MAKING A TURN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS BENT PUSH ROD, BROKEN VALVE SPRING, BROKEN LIFTER. THIS HAS BEEN LINKED TO FAULTY ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH GMC ENGINES. THERE IS AN ACTIVE SERVICE BULLETIN FROM GM CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. UNDER EXISTING POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, GM AGREES TO FIX THE BROKEN ENGINE COMPONENTS, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, THE AFM SYSTEM. THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THAT IT IS NOT GM'S CURRENT POLICY TO ADDRESS THE AFM SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGREES THIS IS THE PROBLEM. DOCUMENTATION ONLINE FROM OTHER CONSUMERS VALIDATES THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE UNLESS THE AFM SYSTEM IS ADDRESSED, THERE IS A RISK THE ENGINE WILL FAIL IN TRAFFIC. I FEEL LIKE GM IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUES BECAUSE THERE IS NO EASY, CHEAP FIX AND THE PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD IN ITS VEHICLES WITH AFM SYSTEMS. IT IS A POTENTIAL PUBLIC TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERN AS THESE ENGINES AGE.
VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED MID 2014, 2015 MODEL, CURRENTLY HAS JUST OVER 52K MILES. DRIVERS SIDE TAILLIGHT IS BEING TEMPERAMENTAL; NO WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE TO INDICATE A FAILURE. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE TAILLIGHT IT STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE ARE NO LEDS OUT, BUT TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WON'T ILLUMINATE. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP A…
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VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED MID 2014, 2015 MODEL, CURRENTLY HAS JUST OVER 52K MILES. DRIVERS SIDE TAILLIGHT IS BEING TEMPERAMENTAL; NO WARNING LIGHTS INSIDE TO INDICATE A FAILURE. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE TAILLIGHT IT STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE ARE NO LEDS OUT, BUT TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WON'T ILLUMINATE. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY'VE STATED IF FOUND FAULTY IT REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE TAILLIGHT AND IT WAS QUOTED AT ROUGHLY $850 INSTALLED, WHICH SEEMS REALLY EXCESSIVE WHEN A TAILLIGHT GOES OUT.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE FAULTY. MY DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT IN JULY AND IN THE SAME MONTH MY PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT. THE BULBS ARE NOT BURNED OUT AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE WIRING. GMC WILL NOT COVER THE SECOND LIGHT OR PROVIDE COST ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILES.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE18012 · Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Opened Nov 20, 2018 · Closed Apr 10, 2022
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Service Brakes
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it was conducting safety recall 19V-645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V-645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V-645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.