IllustrationPASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THIS CANNOT BE FIXED WITH A SIMPLE BULB. THIS IS AN INTEGRATED LED REQUIRING THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. DEALER ESTIMATE WAS $800 AFTER INSTALLING.
2015 GMC Yukon Denali
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Yukon Denali 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
60–25K
1225–50K
2350–75K
1075–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
59 reports with mileage · 14 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 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
39 reportsBRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A FAULTY SOLIDER ON THE LED ASSEMBLY. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE NOW FAILED. THE FAULT IS CONSTANT AND HAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO STATUS OF THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OR ROAD CONDITIONS. CONSUMER CAN NOT REPAIR THE FAULT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE OWNER AN…
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BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. I APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A FAULTY SOLIDER ON THE LED ASSEMBLY. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE NOW FAILED. THE FAULT IS CONSTANT AND HAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO STATUS OF THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OR ROAD CONDITIONS. CONSUMER CAN NOT REPAIR THE FAULT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS ARE BEING ENDANGERED BY THIS ISSUE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A QUALITY ISSUE WITH THE PRODUCT.
BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS AND RUNNING LAMPS SHORT OUT AND STOP WORKING. WHEN VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, LAMPS ARE REPLACED WITH NEW UNITS, THAT ARE ALSO FAULTY AND EVENTUALLY FAIL, IN ANYWHERE FROM 1 WEEK TO 1 YEAR. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS WIDESPREAD, NATIONWIDE PROBLEM, YET REFUSES TO ISSUE A RE…
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BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS AND RUNNING LAMPS SHORT OUT AND STOP WORKING. WHEN VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, LAMPS ARE REPLACED WITH NEW UNITS, THAT ARE ALSO FAULTY AND EVENTUALLY FAIL, IN ANYWHERE FROM 1 WEEK TO 1 YEAR. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS WIDESPREAD, NATIONWIDE PROBLEM, YET REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL, AND CHARGES $1500+ THE REPLACE THE UNITS WITH NEW OEM, THAT ARE STILL FAULTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SHORTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (LIBERTY GMC, 8660 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, (602) 730-7652) DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH IMPACTED THE REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SHORTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (LIBERTY GMC, 8660 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, (602) 730-7652) DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH IMPACTED THE REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
REAR BLACK LIGHTS FAIL... KNOWN ISSUE... ONLY FIX IS $750... GMC KNOWS IT IS AN ISSUE AND HASN'T DONE A RECALL... MOST CARS YOUR TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT $10 TO FIX... GMC $750
DRIVER'S SIDE LED BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WORKING, THEN COMPLETELY FAILED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WELD COUNTY GARAGE BUICK GMC (2699 47TH AVE, GREELEY, CO 80634, (970) 352-1313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WELD COUNTY GARAGE BUICK GMC (2699 47TH AVE, GREELEY, CO 80634, (970) 352-1313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,081.
REAR LED (BREAK LIGHT) DOES NOT WORK TURN SIGNAL, BACKUP WORKS. COST IS OVER $500 TO REPLACE THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER LIGHT BULBS NOW I KNOW WHY THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY DEFECT.
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW SAFE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND SAID THEY MEET MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. WHEN DRIVING ON COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO OTHER ILLUMINATION THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IS AHEAD. DRIVING AT POSTED SPEEDS 55 TO 6…
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HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW SAFE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND SAID THEY MEET MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. WHEN DRIVING ON COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO OTHER ILLUMINATION THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IS AHEAD. DRIVING AT POSTED SPEEDS 55 TO 60 MPH CANNOT SEE WHAT IS COMING UP. HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAM IN ORDER TO SEE FAR ENOUGH TO BE SAFE. DID AN ONLINE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR
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.