The Lemon Index2004 GMC Yukon XL.
The 2004 GMC Yukon XL is better than average by owner complaints: 49 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 84, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 13 to 15 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon XL year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 178 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Yukon XL year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 116K miles on the car (147 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 43K–109K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 75K–140K miles
- stability control complaints mostly came at 76K–162K miles
Recalls 4
- wheels 2007
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, …
- engine 2006
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.
- brakes 2005
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 OPERA…
Show all 4 recalls
- brakes 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 515 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Higher than expected oil consumption <8500 gvw
- Coolant leak from head cup plugs on gen iii engines
- Service vme - 03 - 04 full size truck, utilities and hummer h2 passenger door module inoperative
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Speedometer reads incorrectly and/or erratically. Safety concern due to inability to interpret correct speed.
2004 GMC Yukon XL owner · NHTSA complaint 10178289
More owner reports
Spoeedometer shows 120 mph when vehicle is stopped. Also does opposite and shows zero when in motion.
NHTSA complaint 10187882
2004 Yukon xl -- 26,000 miles speedometer suddenly became erratic and never reset. Shows 15 mph at a dead stop and 0 mph while traveling 30.
NHTSA complaint 10182114
Quick answers
Is the 2004 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 84; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon XL year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 GMC Yukon XL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (53%), engine (14%) and airbags (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL have?
4 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL get?
13 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,500 and 116,000 miles. The middle report was at 78,000 miles, from 147 complaints.
Does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 GMC Yukon XL have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Yukon XL year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works