2015 GMC Yukon XL Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Yukon XL years
The 2015 GMC Yukon XL ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 372 NHTSA complaints. Electrical System issues make up 60% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 18%, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- Complaints
- 372
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2015 GMC Yukon XL problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission unexpectedly shifting into neutral while stopped on a hill or during a turn, causing the vehicle to roll and lose control.
- Some describe brake pedals that fail to stop the vehicle at low speeds, leading to collisions with objects or other vehicles.
- Owners report brake failure traced to a vacuum pump losing pressure, sometimes recurring after a prior repair.
- Seat heaters have reportedly malfunctioned and burned holes through the seat backrest and clothing.
- The rear tailgate module has reportedly caught fire after prior repairs to tailgate struts.
- Owners describe a buffeting or ear-pressure sensation felt at highway speeds between 40 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 among the 16 model years covered, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 372 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 GMC Yukon XL?
- Electrical System complaints dominate, accounting for 60% of the 372 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 66,500 miles.
- Does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Yukon XL, one covering seat belt-related software reflashing and another covering airbag sensing diagnostic module software.
- How does the 2015 Yukon XL compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's Complaint Index of 87 is much higher than 2012-2014 (indexes of 13, 7, and 0, all rated Best), but slightly better than 2021 and 2023, which scored 93 and 100 and were also rated Avoid.