2005 Gmc Yukon Denali problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (9) · Electrical System (4) · Service Brakes (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Yukon Denali model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
36 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (565)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-09 · 02-00-89-002X · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on when and how to submit a field product report (fpr) (u.s. and canada dealers only).
Showing the 6 most recent of 565 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-08-26 · Seat Belts · 80,000 mi“the plastic surround around my seat belt is defective. the plastic tabs have broken from normal usage and the surround now impedes either latching or unlatching, and the seat belt comes unlatched when it appears to be properly latched. other vehicles of the same year/model have the same issue, and the same issue has occurred on multiple seat belt…”
2016-07-22 · Air Bags · 130,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc yukon denali. while driving various speeds, the contact rear ended another vehicle. the air bag deployed, but failed to inflate. a police report was filed and there were no injuries. the vehicle was driven from the scene and awaiting repairs. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure milea…”
2016-04-09 · Air Bags“since 2010, my airbag light has come on 5 times. 3 out of the 5 times, i have had to replace a sensor which typically costs approx $400-450. the other two times, the dealership was able to reset. i am now in the position of having to spend another $450 for another new sensor in order to turn off the airbag light or else i cannot pass inspection. i …”
2016-04-09 · Power Train“since 2009, i have been taking my 2005 yukon denali to both dealerships and other mechanic shops to fix a very hazardous problem. to date, no one has been able to fix the problem. when accelerating from a stop or anytime when traveling between 1- 2-3rd gears, the accelerator will suddenly stop working and the "traction active" light will come on. f…”
2015-12-10 · Exterior Lighting · 125,000 mi“the airbag error lights are on. mechanic says the front airbag sensors went bad. the horn does not work. the dash lights are burnt out. many of the steering wheel control button lights are burnt out. the rear windshield wiper motor is burnt out. the fuel pump makes vibrating noises.…”
2014-11-01 · Service Brakes · 116,414 mi“vehicle brakes went to the floor and barely came to a stop before hitting a tree. vehicle was towed into dealership joyce koons manassas. dealership called back stating brake lines had rusted out and contaminated rotors, brake pads, fuel pump, backing plates, right and left level sensors to the tune of $3660. after researching the internet we f…”
2014-10-27 · Engine · 78,000 mi“i was driving on the 55 freeway, and all of a sudden my electrical gps, radio, and power turned off for approx. 5 sec. and the dash rebooted, and radio remained off, and the car was still cruising, but losing speed. i put the car in neutral and had to restart while cruising. it is not the first time this has happened. spoke to gmc parts dept. on th…”
2014-09-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 171,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc yukon denali. the contact stated that fuel fumes emitted around the vehicle. the contact mentioned after inspecting the vehicle there were no visible leaks. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 171,000.…”
2014-07-10 · Structure:body · 120,000 mi“basically my lift gate and glass are stuck in the lock position and there is no manual way to open the lift gate. this has to be a safety issue and gmc should issue a recall on the lock actuator to replace them all with a replacement part to ensure no one gets stuck inside there vehicle. this part along with installation can run you up to $1k so i …”
2014-06-28 · Electrical System · 95,000 mi“my 2005 gmc yukon denali rear tailgate / hatch is locked and the electronic lock motivator will not open the rear tailgate / hatch. there is no key nor manual way to open rear tailgate / hatch. the dealer said that they were not sure what it would cost to fix although it would be no more than $450.00. since this vehicle has three rows of seats the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.