2005 GMC Yukon XL

Routine

Owners filed 42 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › instrument cluster/panel. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel7
000
Electrical System6
000
Service Brakes5
100
Engine4
000
Trailer Hitches2
206
Steering2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems1
000
Suspension › Front1
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Engine and Engine Cooling06V289000
Filed Aug 3, 200638,439 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages05V103000
Filed Mar 18, 2005707 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Power Train › Manual Transmission › Shift Pattern Indicator05V055000
Filed Feb 14, 20057,194 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic05V043000
Filed Feb 8, 200577,411 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Risk. IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings04V376000
Filed Aug 2, 20041,103 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

Risk. IF THE TUBE RETAINER SCREW BREAKS, FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER JOINT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. NOTE: THE GM BULLETIN LISTS THE TAHOE AND YUKON MODELS BECAUSE CANADIAN VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE BULLETIN. NO U.S. TAHOE OR YUKON VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. CAMPAIGN.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Mar 16, 2021NC

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON, "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". IT PUTS ME IN A DANGEROUS POSITION SOMETIMES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY GO INTO THIS "LIMP MODE" I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND FIXES BY QUALIFIED MECHANICS AND YET THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FIND THAT I AMONG MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES YESTERDAY!

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 10, 2020PR

I HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM, THE DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM TURNS ON AT TIMES DURING RUNNING AND THE RIM HEATS UP AND A STRONG SMELL OF BRAKES COMES OUT, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE REAR TIRES EXPLODED AND I CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IN 2005, THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKES, ABS AND OTHER COMPONENTS, BUT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM, THEN IN 2010 AGAIN, I CHANGED ALL THE COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE BRAKES BUT IT REMAINS THE SAME. SOMETIMES THE DYNAMIC BRAKE IS ACTIVATED AND THE RINGS AND REAR RUBBERS ARE HEATED. I DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR LONG ROADS FOR SAFETY. I BOUGHT IT IN 2005 AND IT NOW HAS 73,100 MILES. I AM LOOKING FOR IF ANY DEALER OR OWNER IN THE USA HAS OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU..

Engine
Filed Jun 1, 2020AL

GETTING GAS AND IT KEEPS CLICKING, *TR

Wheels
Filed Aug 25, 2019190,000 milesWI

3 OF 4 WHEELS HAVE CRACKS

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 2018PA

AFTER GETTING FULL TUNE UP MY ENGINE STARTS TICKING WHEN I START MY MY CAR AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING THE TICKING STOPS CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE BLINKS ON AND OFF . ALREADY CHANGED COILS FROM INSTRUCTED READ STILL GET STALLING. BRAKE BOOSTER LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE A FUEL SMELL THAT COMES AND GOES WHILE DRIVING

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 2018PA

WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A WINDING SOUND COMING FROM WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING I SMELL FUEL THAT COMES AND GOES RECENTLY HAD FULL TUNE UP NOW CAR STARTS TO TICK AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING OR EVEN PRESSING ON GAS WHILE IN PARK IT STOPS WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS AND INDICATES COIL IS BAD FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON I HAD CHANGED COILS AND CAR STILL STALLS

Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2017157,000 milesTX

AT 70 MPH ON A FREEWAY, REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST POWER SLOWING TO 20MPH. DANGEROUS WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC AROUND.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 2014101,000 milesWV

DRIVING HOME, LEAVING OUR CURRENT LOCALITY THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. WERE ABLE TO PRESS BRAKE TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT HAVING THE VEHICLE STOP. INVESTIGATED THE NEXT DAY (AFTER HAVING TO BORROW A VEHICLE) AND BRAKE LINES ARE FLAKING AND LEAKING FLUID. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AFTER PUTTING ON "TEMPORARY" BREAK LINE (WHICH WE FOUND OUT WILL NOT WORK ON OUR VEHICLE). HAVING IT REPLACED BUT SHOP CALLED AND CAN NOT DO IT AND WE HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO FIX SINCE THE BODY HAS TO BE TAKEN OFF AND BRAKE LINES REPLACED. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 21, 201489,000 milesWV

BACK WIPER NOT WORKING. ENGINE NOT MOVING THE WIPER. NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF BACK WINDOW WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

Seats
Filed Dec 21, 201488,000 milesWV

MIDDLE ROW PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT CLICK INTO PLACE WITH OUT SHOVING IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT "LATCHES" (AFTER ALLOWING CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT THEN TRYING TO PUT SEAT BACK INTO PLACE). IF NOT CLICKED IN THE SEAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 8, 2014NY

2005 GMC YUKON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VARIOUS ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS INCLUDING SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETER, STARTING PROBLEMS, WHEEL HUB AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR. ALSO, THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Apr 2, 2014122,000 milesAL

MY 2005 GMC YUKON XL 1500 WILL SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFT ITSELF INTO 4LO. THIS DOESN'T ONLY HAPPEN AT LOW SPEEDS. IT OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND IN GEAR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE PUSH-BUTTON 4WD CONTROL MODULE WILL LIGHT UP OR FLASH. NO AMOUNT OF BUTTON-PUSHING WILL DISENGAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO NOT COME ACROSS ANY SORT OF MANUAL FIX, I.E. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, TAKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, BACKING UP, ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 5 TIMES, AND HAS ONLY CEASED TO HAPPEN BECAUSE I HAVE REMOVED THE RELAY WHICH CONTROLS THE 4WD SYSTEM. I AM FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT IT IS ONLY THROUGH SHEER BLIND LUCK OR DIVINE INTERVENTION THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. LET ME RESTATE: THIS ISSUE OCCURS ENTIRELY AT RANDOM, AND NOT ONLY WHEN JUST STARTING OFF DRIVING. IT OCCURS AT SPEED! WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE LITERALLY CAN GO FROM TRAVELING AT 35 MPH TO LESS THAN 5 MPH. KEEP IN MIND THAT SINCE THE BRAKE IS NOT DEPRESSED, FOLLOWING DRIVERS HAVE NO WARNING OF THIS RAPID DECLINE IN SPEED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL DEFECT IN GM VEHICLES USING THIS 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. I THINK THAT THE ONLY REASON THE PROBLEM IS NOT SEEN AS MORE WIDESPREAD IS THAT THE ISSUE HAPPENS IN DIFFERENTLY-NAMED MAKES AND MODELS. FOR INSTANCE, MY PROBLEM MAY NOT BE READILY CONNECTED WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN A CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, ALTHOUGH THE TWO ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME VEHICLE. FURTHER, I BELIEVE THAT GM IS AWARE THAT THIS SAFETY HAZ

Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2014128,000 milesWA

A BOLT HEAD FOR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE OFF AND IS CAUSING EMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

Engine
Filed May 15, 201367,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLAPPING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE CORRODED FRACTURED. THE FAILURE HAD ALSO OCCURRED IN THE PAST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 30, 201265,000 milesWI

STEP ON BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR NO BRAKES. BRAKE LINE AND AC LINE RUSTED DRIVERS SIDE. REPLACED BRAKE LINE STILL HAVE NO AIR.$60,000 TRUCK AND THEY CAN'T USE S/S LINES? YA! AM PISSED, WON'T BUY GM AGAIN. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2012TX

YUKON XL HAS A CONSTANT VIBRATION, KNOCKING/RATTLING NOISE, THAT IS FELT IN THE STEERING COLUMN/SHAFT. GMC IS AND HAS BEEN AWARE OF FAULTY STEERING SHAFTS AND WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. GMC HAS EVEN SUED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE STEERING SHAFT, YET WILL NOT RECALL THIS ITEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 4, 2011130,700 milesMI

THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS .....THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY STEPPER MOTOR WHICH ESSENTIALLY CONTROLS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE. APROX $600.00 TO REPAIR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 16, 201144,265 milesNC

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BETWEEN 2/05/11 AND 3/8/11 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WITH HEADLAMPS IN AUTO MODE, IDLING AT A FULL STOP, THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTING SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WILL NOT RESET IN AUTO MODE. GM REPAIRED BY REPLACING A AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR ON 3/9/11. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHILE STOPPED/IDLING AT NIGHT (DOES NOT OCCUR AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS). HEADLIGHTS/DASH LIGHTING WORK CORRECTLY IN MANUAL MODE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 31, 201195,000 milesTX

PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Jan 31, 201195,000 milesTX

THE ELECTRONIC TIRE AIR GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING. *TR

20 of 42 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202632300Do not drive
202527100Routine
202470200Routine
2023212400Above average
2022164400Routine
20212201210Above average
202046210Routine
201967200Do not drive
201853210Do not drive
2017147100Routine
2016200320Do not drive
2015306230Above average
201411300Routine
201322400Routine
201213400Routine
201147310Routine
201028300Routine
200923500Routine
200869410Routine
200797400Routine
200617300Routine
2005 — this page42600Routine
200487420Routine
2003102400Routine
200295210Routine
2001120502Fatalities reported
200069700Routine
19993000Routine

Compare every Yukon XL year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.