The Lemon Index2005 GMC Yukon XL.
The 2005 GMC Yukon XL is better than average by owner complaints: 21 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 53, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 6 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 104 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Yukon XL year. 2005 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 42K to 114K miles on the car (90 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 48K–101K miles
Recalls 6
- 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
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING.
Show all 6 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2005
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 TRA…
- 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…
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
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.
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 592 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Investigation of extension seal leaks on 4l60e automatic transmission
- 8.625 axle phasing, growl, cyclic, noise while driving
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 $4300–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Speedometer will not work properly. Will either stay at 0mph or is stuck at 60 mph regardless if the vehicle is moving or not.
2005 GMC Yukon XL owner · NHTSA complaint 10216880
More owner reports
2005 GMC Yukon xl gear shifts can be moved when the ignition is turned to the accessory position.
NHTSA complaint 10125810
Quick answers
Is the 2005 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon XL year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 GMC Yukon XL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (19%), transmission & drivetrain (14%) and visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have?
6 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 2005 GMC Yukon XL get?
13 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,900 and 114,200 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 90 complaints.
Does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Yukon XL year is better than the 2005?
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