VehicleVerdict

2015 GMC Yukon XL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 404 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median Yukon XL year — the 2015 model ranks #1 of 28 Yukon XL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Lighting leads the complaint categories with 141 reports (35% of the total).

404

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Yukon XL years?

Yukon XL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted404 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 77 complaints2001: 151 complaints2002: 114 complaints2003: 115 complaints2004: 118 complaints2005: 58 complaints2006: 24 complaints2007: 123 complaints2008: 86 complaints2009: 32 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 67 complaints2012: 22 complaints2013: 26 complaints2014: 13 complaints2015: 404 complaints2016: 267 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 68 complaints2019: 79 complaints2020: 57 complaints2021: 271 complaints2022: 203 complaints2023: 269 complaints2024: 90 complaints2025: 39 complaints2026: 32 complaints
Yukon XL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Yukon XL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 GMC Yukon XL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting14135%
Brakes6416%
Electrical System5915%
Transmission359%
Engine277%
Other266%
Steering113%
Body & Structure102%
Fuel System72%
Driver Assistance61%
Tires & Wheels61%
Suspension51%
Speed Control31%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Seats10%
Airbags10%

Does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?

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

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“LED Brake Lights fail due to design error typically on both side of the vehicle. I have found multiple reports of a failure on a circuit board that was poorly designed. A copper tracing is very narrow and fractures due to vibration resulting in Brake Light failure. Because the entire module must be…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 24, 2021

“WIFE AND THREE KIDS IN VEHICLE, STOPS ON HILL SEEMS TO HAVE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. GOES BACKWARDS DOWN HILL FLIPS OVER LANDS ON ROOF. NO INJURIES THANK GOD! VEHICLE HAD BEEN BACK FOR TRANSMISSION RECALL TWICE, THE LAST TIME THEY SAID THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR PARTS... MIND YOU THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 4, 2015 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN ON NOVEMBER 2017 DUE TO REAR TAILGATE/HATCH NOT OPENING PROPERLY AND MAKING NOISE SOMETIMES. STRUTS AND OTHER COMPONENTS REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND REAR TAILGATE MODULE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND BURNED UP. GM CUSTOMER CARE CASE 8-43560624XX WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 29, 2018 · fire

“WIFE AND THREE KIDS IN VEHICLE, STOPS ON HILL SEEMS TO HAVE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. GOES BACKWARDS DOWN HILL FLIPS OVER LANDS ON ROOF. NO INJURIES THANK GOD! VEHICLE HAD BEEN BACK FOR TRANSMISSION RECALL TWICE, THE LAST TIME THEY SAID THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR PARTS... MIND YOU THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 2015 · crash

“OUR 2015 YUKON XL DENALI CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT ON SAT, WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN INSIDE. IT WAS A HOT DAY, OVER 95 DEGREES, AND WE WERE TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC WHEN WE REALIZED THE SMELL AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OUR VEHICLE. SMOKE WHIFFED FROM UNDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 18, 2020 · fire

2015 GMC Yukon XL — common questions

Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 404 complaints put the 2015 model at #1 of 28 Yukon XL years. It is one of the Yukon XL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Yukon XL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (141 complaints), brakes (64 complaints), electrical system (59 complaints).

Does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 GMC Yukon XL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.