The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact arrived at the residence and used a personal diagnostic reader and retrieved information related to misfires in cylinder #2 and #4. The contact replaced the spark plugs and the ignition coils. The contact test drove the vehicle, and the check engine warning light later illuminated. The contact swapped the ignition coils; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) had failed and caused the lifters to fail. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The worst 2015 GMC Yukon Denali problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Lights39
- Electrical11
- Transmission8
- Brakes5
- Engine5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights39
- Electrical11
- Transmission8
- Brakes5
- Engine5
- Steering4
- Suspension4
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
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 the federal safety agency 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 under the identification numbers in the attached document.
PE18012
Technical service bulletins for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali 586
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
What 2015 GMC Yukon Denali owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound, and the transmission was shifting hard. While making a turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V152000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the transmission. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started decelerating with a slight clunking sound coming from underneath the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the vehicle was started and the contact became aware that the instrument panel and all other electrical systems were activated as expected; however, the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a failure with the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the engine had failed, and the starter needed to be replaced. The starter had been replaced; however, while starting the vehicle the engine emitted a loud rumbling noise which the dealer described as rocks being tossed around. The contact stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,150.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was inoperable. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the vehicle would drive forward. The contact also stated that when the gear shifter was in neutral, the vehicle would reverse instead. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the transmission fluid had leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking fuel. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while driving the air condition system was blowing hot air and then became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C condenser and A/C control module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. The contact stated that while his mother was driving approximately 50 MPH, the brake service warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to decelerate as if the brakes were engaged. The contact's mother was able to pull over safely and turned the vehicle off and on and was able to continue driving to her destination. The brake failure persisted. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Tail lights sometimes work and most of the time does not work. I see hundreds of complaints about this and nothing is being done about it! This will be my first and last time buying a gmc car. This is very dangerous and a very expensive problem to have!
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc yukon denali. While reversing the vehicle, the contact was informed that the brake lights were not illuminating. However, when the vehicle was in drive, the brake lights illuminated. Also, when the contact depressed the brake pedal to slow or stop the vehicle, the brake lights did not illuminate. The contact called coulter buick gmc phoenix (1202 e camelback rd, phoenix, az 85014, (602) 396-5994) and was informed that there were no recalls. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Tail light circuit (LED internal to housing) cracks, causing rail/brake light outage with no warnings on the dash for the driver. This is a material defect in the metal stamping used for the LED power circuit. Exacerbated by heat and vibration.
Compare the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali
Other model years
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Questions about the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali
Is the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali reliable?
Owners have filed 73 complaints about the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali, 1.6 times a typical Yukon Denali model year.
What is the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali year score?
The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali scores 58 out of 100 (below 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 2015 GMC Yukon Denali?
Lights, with 39 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles. Next is electrical (11).
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali have?
No recalls on record.
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