YearToAvoid

2005 GMC Yukon XL Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#16 most-complained of 21 Yukon XL years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 GMC Yukon XL has 100 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 25 out of 100 — #16 highest of 21 Yukon XL model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is electrical system (36 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 6 crashes, 2 fires, and 8 injuries.

Complaints
100
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14
13 city / 17 hwy

Top 2005 GMC Yukon XL problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System36 (36%)
  2. Brakes23 (23%)
  3. Engine14 (14%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (11%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain11 (11%)
  6. Fuel System7 (7%)
  7. Steering7 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body7 (7%)
  9. Airbags5 (5%)
  10. Other4 (4%)
2005 GMC Yukon XL complaints: complaints filed per quarter92005 Q22007 Q22009 Q12010 Q42012 Q22014 Q22016 Q12019 Q3
129 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q2 to 2021 Q1; peak 2014 Q2 (9).

2005 GMC Yukon XL recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 06V289000Aug 3, 2006Engine38,439 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling

    On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.

    Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.

  2. NHTSA 05V103000Mar 18, 2005Brakes707 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

    On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.

    Risk: This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

  3. NHTSA 05V055000Feb 14, 2005Transmission & Powertrain7,194 vehicles

    Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator

    Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.

    Risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

See all 5 recalls for the 2005 GMC Yukon XL →

2005 GMC Yukon XL fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
17 MPG
Combined
14 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Gasoline or E85
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Yukon XL years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good25100514
2006Good533214
2007Avoid80218416

All GMC Yukon XL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 GMC Yukon XL a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 GMC Yukon XL ranks #16 of 21 among Yukon XL model years (Complaint Index 25/100, verdict: Good). It has 100 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Yukon XL?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (36 complaints), brakes (23 complaints), and engine (14 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 73,000 miles.
Does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 GMC Yukon XL, most recently reported 2006, covering engine, brakes, transmission & powertrain, and fuel system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 GMC Yukon XL?
EPA rates the 2005 GMC Yukon XL at 14 MPG combined (13 city / 17 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.