VehicleVerdict

2005 GMC Yukon XL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 GMC Yukon XL is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 58 owner complaints run below the Yukon XL median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (26% of the total).

58

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Yukon XL years?

See all Yukon XL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 GMC Yukon XL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1526%
Brakes814%
Engine712%
Fuel System47%
Steering47%
Suspension35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Transmission35%
Lighting23%
Airbags23%
Trailer Hitch23%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Other12%
Seats12%
Speed Control12%
Body & Structure12%

Does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

06V289000EngineAugust 3, 2006 · 38,439 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Consequence

IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V103000BrakesMarch 18, 2005 · 707 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V055000TransmissionFebruary 14, 2005 · 7,194 units

Defect

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 LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence

THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

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.

05V043000BrakesFebruary 8, 2005 · 77,411 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V376000Fuel SystemAugust 2, 2004 · 1,103 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

Consequence

IF THE TUBE RETAINER SCREW BREAKS, FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER JOINT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. NOTE: THE GM BULLETIN LISTS THE TAHOE AND YUKON MODELS BECAUSE CANADIAN VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE BULLETIN. NO U.S. TAHOE OR YUKON VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. CAMPAIGN.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE SPEED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED AND REFUSED TO OFFER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 6, 2009

I HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM, THE DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM TURNS ON AT TIMES DURING RUNNING AND THE RIM HEATS UP AND A STRONG SMELL OF BRAKES COMES OUT, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE REAR TIRES EXPLODED AND I CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IN 2005, THE DEALER CHANGED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 10, 2005 · crash

WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A WINDING SOUND COMING FROM WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING I SMELL FUEL THAT COMES AND GOES RECENTLY HAD FULL TUNE UP NOW CAR STARTS TO TICK AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING OR EVEN PRESSING ON GAS WHILE IN PARK IT STOPS WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS AND INDICATES COIL IS BAD FROM CHECK ENGINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 17, 2018

TL*- THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE 2005 GMC YUKON WHEN SHE SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH. SHE HEARD THIS NOISE FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY LUBRICATED THE COLUMN BOOT. THE CONTACT STATED THIS DID NOT FIX THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 2006

WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A WINDING SOUND COMING FROM WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING I SMELL FUEL THAT COMES AND GOES RECENTLY HAD FULL TUNE UP NOW CAR STARTS TO TICK AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING OR EVEN PRESSING ON GAS WHILE IN PARK IT STOPS WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS AND INDICATES COIL IS BAD FROM CHECK ENGINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 17, 2018

2005 GMC Yukon XL — common questions

Is the 2005 GMC Yukon XL reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 58 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Yukon XL year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Yukon XL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (15 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 GMC Yukon XL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Yukon XL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Yukon XL years to avoid are 2015, 2021, 2023, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2001, 2007, 2004, 2024, 2008, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2013, 2012, 2014. The cleanest record among Yukon XL years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.