2005 GMC Yukon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 GMC Yukon has a complaint index of 30 and ranks 15th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 134 complaints, 3 recalls, and no deaths, with Electrical System issues the top problem area at 36% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #15 of 21 Yukon years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 134
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2005 GMC Yukon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System48 (36%)
- Brakes24 (18%)
- Engine16 (12%)
- Structure & Body14 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (10%)
- Fuel System13 (10%)
- Airbags10 (7%)
- Other6 (4%)
- Seat Belts5 (4%)
- Steering4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the automatic transmission slipping from first to second gear during acceleration, sometimes forcing the driver to pull over.
- Some drivers describe heated seats catching fire, with smoke or flames coming from the seat cushion.
- Electrical fires have been reported starting in the dashboard or near air conditioner vents, in some cases filling the cabin with smoke.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or inflate in crashes, including a rear-end collision at various speeds.
- Brake failures were described at low speed, in one case traced to a corroded brake line that snapped.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to hold occupants in place during a crash, resulting in the occupant striking the dashboard.
2005 GMC Yukon recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 05V163000Apr 22, 2005Seat Belts1,359,824 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
- 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.
- 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.
2005 GMC Yukon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 GMC Yukon reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Yukon has a complaint index of 30, ranking 15th worst among 21 model years, which earns it a Good verdict relative to other Yukon years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Yukon?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints lead at 36% of the total, followed by Brakes at 18% and Engine at 12%. Median mileage at failure for electrical complaints was 65,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 GMC Yukon have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Yukon covering seat belts, brakes, and a transmission shift lever software issue. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Yukon compare to other model years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 30 is much lower than the worst years, such as 2021 with an index of 100 and 2015 with 90, both rated Avoid. Best-rated years include 2012 and 2014, each with a complaint index of 15 or lower.
- Did the 2005 GMC Yukon have fire complaints?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 fire incidents, including reports of heated seats and electrical wiring catching fire, some occurring in the Structure & Body and Electrical System categories.