The plastic surround around my seat belt is defective. The plastic tabs have broken from normal usage and the surround now impedes either latching or unlatching, and the seat belt comes unlatched when it appears to be properly latched. Other vehicles of the same year/model have the same issue, and the same issue has occurred on multiple seat belts on the same vehicle. This is clearly a safety issue, because (1) the seat belt either appears to be latched when it is not; or (2) the seat belt will not unlatch when the release is depressed, preventing occupants from egressing the vehicle quickly if needed. The tabs holding the plastic surround are too small and allow the buckle to flex and jam, or they break off and interfere with the latch mechanism.
The worst 2005 GMC Yukon Denali problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical19
- Engine6
- Transmission6
- Airbags4
- Body4
- Brakes4
- Fuel system4
- Lights3
- Seats3
- Driver assistance2
- Seat belts2
- Visibility2
- Locks1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali 564
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field...
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding...
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
What 2005 GMC Yukon Denali owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc yukon denali. While driving various speeds, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bag deployed, but failed to inflate. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was driven from the scene and awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Since 2009, I have been taking my 2005 yukon denali to both dealerships and other mechanic shops to fix a very hazardous problem. To date, no one has been able to fix the problem. When accelerating from a stop or anytime when traveling between 1- 2-3rd gears, the accelerator will suddenly stop working and the "traction active" light will come on. For approximately 10 seconds, the car will not accelerate. This started happening infrequently - 1 per month - and over the years has become much more frequent - 2-3 times a week. This does not happen when the road conditions change. It can happen at any time under any condition. The scary thing about this is that when you are accelerating from a stop and other cars are accelerating behind you, they don't anticipate that you will stop accelerating (the brake lights do not come on), therefore, they almost rear end me. It is a very dangerous situation. My dealership does not know how to fix it, yet there are complaints all over the internet about this same problem. I have just filed a case with gm for assistance. We will see what they do. I believe a recall is long overdue. While we have not gotten in an accident, that is simply because we have been lucky.
Since 2010, my airbag light has come on 5 times. 3 out of the 5 times, I have had to replace a sensor which typically costs approx $400-450. The other two times, the dealership was able to reset. I am now in the position of having to spend another $450 for another new sensor in order to turn off the airbag light or else I cannot pass inspection. I have asked for assistance from gm and the dealership. But, because the light comes on just after one year of replacing a sensor, the work is no longer under dealership warranty. I have filed a case with gm asking for assistance so that I can get the car inspected and continue driving the car. They have said that they cannot assist. They have left me with very few options. I can pay another $450 in order for my car to be inspected, or not drive the car again. The air bag is an important safety feature. Based on all of the other complaints online, this problem is recurring and appears to be a manufacturer's defect. The disturbing thing about this issue is that I am not sure if the airbag actually is in working order.
The airbag error lights are on. Mechanic says the front airbag sensors went bad. The horn does not work. The dash lights are burnt out. Many of the steering wheel control button lights are burnt out. The rear windshield wiper motor is burnt out. The fuel pump makes vibrating noises.
Vehicle brakes went to the floor and barely came to a stop before hitting a tree. Vehicle was towed into dealership joyce koons manassas. Dealership called back stating brake lines had rusted out and contaminated rotors, brake pads, fuel pump, backing plates, right and left level sensors to the tune of $3660. After researching the internet we found out this is a known issue that gm refuses to do a recall on. If we had been on I 95 with the vehicle at a high speed, it could have been a horrible accident and people could have been injured. This vehicle is very heavy and would be difficult to stop at high speeds. Gm says rust due to salt belt states. The reason you buy a 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive is to be able to drive in the snow. But this vehicle can't take the salt and sand put down on highways. Brakes is a major safety issue and needs to have attention to this matter and have gm recall these vehicles before someone is killed!
I was driving on the 55 freeway, and all of a sudden my electrical GPS, radio, and power turned off for approx. 5 sec. And the dash rebooted, and radio remained off, and the car was still cruising, but losing speed. I put the car in neutral and had to restart while cruising. It is not the first time this has happened. Spoke to gmc parts dept. On the phone, and he stated there is no recall for this vehicle. This has happened approx. 5 times. I shared that information to the parts dept. And he stated that they could do a diagnostic that would cost a pretty hi amount to check, and if nothing come out of it I asked. Then he stated nothing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc yukon denali. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted around the vehicle. The contact mentioned after inspecting the vehicle there were no visible leaks. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Basically my lift gate and glass are stuck in the lock position and there is no manual way to open the lift gate. This has to be a safety issue and gmc should issue a recall on the lock actuator to replace them all with a replacement part to ensure no one gets stuck inside there vehicle. This part along with installation can run you up to $1k so I can see people ignoring this problem until it becomes a public concern. I wish gmc would fix it before someone really gets hurt.
My 2005 gmc yukon denali rear tailgate / hatch is locked and the electronic lock motivator will not open the rear tailgate / hatch. There is no key nor manual way to open rear tailgate / hatch. The dealer said that they were not sure what it would cost to fix although it would be no more than $450.00. Since this vehicle has three rows of seats there is no manual way to open this rear tailgate / hatch for the passengers in the third row of seats to get out in case of an emergency. The manufacturer should have included an alternate way to open this hatch for emergency's. Whether it would be a key from the outside or a door handle on the inside. We feel that type of vehicle should be reviewed and it should include various years of this gmc vehicle, the chevrolet tahoe, and the chevrolet suburban which have the same setup for this safety reason. Thank you for your assistance and review of this safety issue.
Compare the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali
Other model years
19992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320152016201720182019
Questions about the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali
Is the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali reliable?
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali, close to a typical Yukon Denali model year.
What is the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali year score?
The 2005 GMC Yukon Denali scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Yukon Denali: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali?
Electrical system, with 19 complaints, typically around 72,231 miles. Next is engine (6).
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the GMC Yukon Denali have the most electrical problems?
The GMC Yukon Denali model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (57 complaints), 2003 (25 complaints) and 2005 (19 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 GMC Yukon Denali?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history