2015 GMC Yukon XL: soft or spongy brake pedal

7 of the 309 complaints about the 2015 GMC Yukon XL describe soft or spongy brake pedal.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 80,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 37 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Soft or spongy brake pedal by model year

2018
3
2017
3
2016
3
2015
7
2003
1

What owners say

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 143,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH and exiting the highway, the brake pedal was depressed but the brake pedal was stiff and stuck, requiring that the transmission be shifted to neutral(N), and to stand on the brake pedal with both feet. The contact continuously pumped the brake pedal, but the vehicle slowly responded and almost crashed into other vehicles. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife and daughter were also inside the vehicle during the failure and were frightened and concerned for their safety during the failure. The dealer was contacted and was provided a description of the failure over the phone. The dealer informed the contact that the vacuum pump and an unknown part had possibly failed. The contact was advised that the failure was possibly related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall, and there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2020 · Brakes · 107,000 miles · OR

The brakes on my 2015 gmc yukon suddenly became extremely difficult to operate with very hard brake pedal and increased stopping distance. I was able to bring the vehicle to the dealer for service. They informed me that there was no output from the engine vacuum pump to the brake booster and it would be addressed under a special coverage warranty from gm repaired. However, after fixing the covered part of the vacuum pump assembly, they indicated that the problem was still prevalent and determined they also needed to replace the brake booster that was also at fault. The brake booster was not covered under the special coverage and resulted in a significant charge. It seems that the braking system issues are related and needs to be looked into further.

Filed Mar 17, 2019 · Brakes · 48,000 miles · FL

Power breaking fails when driving at low speeds, brake pedal stiff and hard to push down to stop vehicle in both forward and reverse directions when inching forward at a stop light/sign, or parking in a parking lot in forward and reverse car keeps moving. Stopping required very hard push on the stiff brake pedal.. Braking at higher speeds less affected but sudden stops can require more force than usual as the car slows down. Problem began december 2017 rarely and intermittently, and increased to all the time by february 2019 at low speeds the power brake did not work and required much force on the brake pedal to stop vehicle every time. Brake fluid was fine and so was brake pads. Gm dealership visit showed a failure of the vacuum pump for brake line and they installed a redesigned pump which shows that the original has faulty design. They also required a belt that operates pump to be replaced as well. This seems to have fixed the problem for now but this repair has a two year guarantee. Price for me to fix over $881+tax.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · IL

Brake pedal is stiff at low speeds. The pedal locks up and stopping is delayed 2 to 3 feet. It makes operating the vehicle unsafe. I have done research on this issue. Others are experiencing the same dangerous delayed stopping distance and stiff brake pedal at low speeds.

Filed Dec 10, 2018 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · VA

When coming to a stop, the brake pedal became stiff and did not engage. This has happened on multiple occasions in the past, and happens when the vehicle is traveling at slow speeds (less than 5mph). The issue is a faulty power break pump.

Filed Dec 9, 2018 · Brakes · 53,100 miles · UT

Today, while coming to a stop, the brake pedal became stiff and did not engage. This has happened on multiple occasions in the past, and happens when the vehicle is traveling at slow speeds (less than 5mph).

Filed Nov 20, 2018 · Brakes · 121,000 miles · CA

When moving in a parking spot the brake pedal became hard as if it lost power brakes, but then returned. A few days later on the freeway traffic stopped in front of us and it happened again. This caused us to need to swerve to avoid causing an accident until we were able to come to a stop. After several miles the power brakes have not returned. There is oil in the vacuum line at the booster and gas mileage ya been poor the past few weeks prior to this. It all points to a faulty vacuum pump. 121,000 miles on the truck.