Fourth generation
2015 GMC Yukon XL
The most reported problem on the 2015 GMC Yukon XL is tail light failure, with 122 complaints, usually around 71,000 miles.
- 307owner complaints
- 2recalls
- 6involved a crash
- 71,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Yukon XL doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2015 model year.
Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
The 2015 GMC Yukon XL has 307 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 314 for 2015 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Yukon XL model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: tail light failure, named in 122 of the 307 complaints (40%). A quarter of the 92 owners who gave a mileage for tail light failure saw it by about 53,000 miles, and half by about 71,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 9 of the 307 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 6 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 5 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 6, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as tail light failure and brake wear. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 87 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 25. So far in 2026, 7 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: tail lights or brake lights fail, 122 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
307 complaints is about the median for a 2015 model on this site and about the median for a 2015 SUV. Among the 7 Yukon XL model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 GMC Yukon XL
GMC filed 2,155 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 GMC Yukon XL. 125 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Tail lights or brake lights fail 2 bulletins · 122 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 10 bulletins · 64 complaints
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of pulsing, grinding, scraping noise from brakes, uneven front brake pad wear.
8 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to add PET tape to the brake cables if the cause of the customers concern.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear brake rotors to correct a condition of Squeak/Squeal Type Noise Heard at Low Speeds During Brake Apply due to moisture build up on the rotors.
This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEP NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR. TECHNICIAN WILL NEED TO INSPECT AND MEASURE THE BRAKE PADS THICKNESS.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of a Service Stabilitrak message displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps needed to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have uneven brake pad wear. Technician will need to inspect and measure the brake pads thickness.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle with low miles that may have uneven front brake wear. Technician may find an inner pad worn out more than the outside.
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails 2 bulletins · 20 complaints
N182202780 Special Coverage Adjustment. In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake ...
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEPS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE ISSUES WERE THE CUSTOMER WILL NEED INCREASED EFFORT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Check engine light or misfire 45 bulletins · 14 complaints
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
43 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a procedure to repair the valve lifter oil manifold and/or lifters to correct the customers concern of engine misfire, ticking noise and/or MIL Illuminated.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This service bulletin informs the technician to inspect for a possible electrical concern at the ECM X2 electrical connector to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P0333 Set.
Information bulletin explains a possible coolant leak coming from the cylinder head bolt areas.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated (MIL) - DTC P2635 and/or P018B Set In High Ambient Temperatures With Hesitation, Surging and Stalling Condition Some customers may comment that the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to measure vibration and install engine mounts to correct a Rough Idle in Drive concern.
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to repair the valve lifter oil manifold and/or lifters to correct the customers concern of engine misfire, ticking noise and/or MIL Illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician how to diagnose and repair a vehicle with an engine that runs with an intermittent crank no start with a Diagnostic Trouble Code P0011 or P00C6 current or history.
Plus 33 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 6 bulletins · 13 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps need to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have stalling shudder and/or hard shifting into 1st gear or reverse vibration on launch (with excessive crankshaft end ...
4 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a reduced or loss of power steering assist, steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning, Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that have a no crank or a start and then immediate stall, Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator lamp may not be on when the ignition ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician for a reduced power message, steering assist, engine stall or the instrument panel, radio, and or Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning go blank with multiple diagnostic trouble codes.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that when the vehicle is shut off while the radio is off and the analog clock is displayed, the radio will turn back on with muted audio if the customer restarts the vehicle.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 27 bulletins · 11 complaints
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air.
25 more on this problem
Special Coverage (Diagnosis Time Added). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
Special Coverage (Parts Ordering Information Added). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
17336 05 Special Coverage. On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
17336 04 Special Coverage (Warranty Information Revised). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the dehydrator to correct the condition of A/C Inoperative and/or Insufficient Cooling due to the seals going bad within the part.
Special Coverage. Some vehicles may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
17336 02 Special Coverage (Parts and Service Procedure Revised). On some vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape.
On some 2015-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, may have a condition where thermal cycling on the combination transmission fluid/oil and AC condenser cooler creates a crack that may ...
This engineering informational bulletin is ending the need for information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of rear auxiliary a/c not cooling or blowing warm air.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with various Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blower mode or temperature issues.
Plus 15 older ones not listed here.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 28 bulletins · 9 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears.
26 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This Technical bulletin provides a repair to correct a condition of Shudder/Surging While Driving.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating.
This informational bulletin explains how the trans slip or flare can be a normal condition.
This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This technical bulletin provides information for new transmission oil to use and a procedure for exchanging the old fluid and adding the new fluid to correct a shake/shudder during light throttle acceleration condition.
This preliminary informational bulletin adds the 2016 model year to diagnostic tips and repair information to correct a customer concern of reduced acceleration at low speed and/or transmission slipping from a launch, DTC P0751 set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to refer to bulletin 16-NA-175 to aid in addressing torque converter clutch shudder concerns.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and drain fluids for the transmission to eliminate a shake and/or shudder during a light throttle acceleration between 40 and 128 KM/H (25 and 80 MPH) at a steady state.
Plus 16 older ones not listed here.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 5 bulletins · 7 complaints
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the power steering control module to correct a condition of Loss of Steering Assist due to a software abnormality.
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
3 more on this problem
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR VEHICLES WITH ONE OF THE TWO CONCERNS.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ADVISES THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEPS FOR DIAGNOSING THE CONCERN, AND COMPLETING A WIRING REPAIR.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have the rear vision camera system displaying "Rear Park Assist Symbols Unavailable" and the steering grid lines displayed do not show.
Complaints filed by year
87 complaints came in 2019. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2015 GMC Yukon XL
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 2 recalls on the 2015 GMC Yukon XL, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 GMC Yukon XL?
Tail light failure, with 122 of the 307 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 71,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Of the 211 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 50,000 miles and half by about 71,000.
How many 2015 GMC Yukon XL complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
9 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for tail light failure on the 2015 GMC Yukon XL?
No recall on file for the 2015 GMC Yukon XL is on the same system as tail light failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.