2015 GMC Yukon XL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 GMC Yukon XL has 372 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 90, and ranks 3rd worst among 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System issues make up 60% of complaints, with brakes and transmission also frequent problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Yukon XL years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 372
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2015 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System222 (60%)
- Brakes68 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain44 (12%)
- Engine37 (10%)
- Other33 (9%)
- Steering14 (4%)
- Structure & Body14 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (4%)
- Fuel System9 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts into neutral while stopped on an incline, sometimes rolling and crashing.
- 4WD system engages on its own mid-turn, disabling steering and braking control.
- Brake pedal is depressed fully but fails to stop the vehicle at low speeds, leading to collisions.
- Seat heater malfunctions and burns through the seat and clothing while driving.
- Rear tailgate module catches fire after prior repairs to tailgate struts.
- Cabin buffeting or pressure sensation felt in the ears between 30 and 50 mph, causing dizziness and headaches.
2015 GMC Yukon XL recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V437000Jul 10, 2017Seat Belts40,683 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
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: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
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.
- NHTSA 16V651000Sep 8, 2016Airbags3,640,162 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
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.
2015 compared with other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Yukon XL ranks 3rd worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 90, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Yukon XL?
- Electrical System complaints account for 60% of all reports (222 complaints), followed by Brakes at 18% and Transmission & Powertrain at 12%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Yukon XL, covering seat belt software reflashing and an airbag-related sensing diagnostic module issue.
- At what mileage do 2015 Yukon XL problems typically show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 67,000 for the model year overall, with electrical failures around 66,500 miles and brake failures around 72,000 miles.
- How does the 2015 Yukon XL compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 90 is higher than most other years; only 2023 (100) and 2021 (95) score worse, while years like 2014 (0) and 2013 (10) rank far better.