The Lemon Index2015 GMC Yukon XL.
The 2015 GMC Yukon XL is worse than average by owner complaints: 109 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 181, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 16 to 18 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon XL year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 373 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every GMC Yukon XL year. 2015 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 50K to 90K miles on the car (255 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- lights complaints mostly came at 51K–85K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 50K–86K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 58K–99K miles
Recalls 2
- airbags 2017
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.
- airbags 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
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 2162 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts
- 8-speed Transmission Harsh Shift
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake vacuum pump failure2018–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Yukon SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Yukon SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Yukon Denali SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Yukon Denali SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Rear taillight & brake light - intermittent operation of rear led marker and brake light on driver side. Vehicle has < 30,000 miles. Gm selling dealer aware of issue with no action taken.
2015 GMC Yukon XL owner · NHTSA complaint 11082115
More owner reports
My tail light will quit working intermittently. When it is cool, they work, when it gets hot, they quit working.
NHTSA complaint 11101394
Rear left tail light and brake light work intermittently. Yet started happening and car will not pass inspection in the state of va. When noticed the vehicle was parked, but have also seen while driving.
NHTSA complaint 11124662
Quick answers
Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 181; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon XL year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2015 GMC Yukon XL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (48%), electrical (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,000 miles, from 255 complaints.
Does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 GMC Yukon XL have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What GMC Yukon XL year is better than the 2015?
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