2005 GMC Yukon Denali: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (31% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2014
“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 the phone, and he stated there is no recall for this vehicle. This has happened approx. 5 times. I shared that information to the parts dept. And he stated that they could do a diagnostic that would cost a pretty hi amount to check, and if nothing come out of it I asked. Then he stated nothing. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
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“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 can see people ignoring this problem until it becomes a public concern. I wish gmc would fix it before someone really gets hurt. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2014
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2013
“Passenger headlight (low beam) has been replaced twice. Intermittently goes on and off. Same with 2 out of 3 brake lights. Doesn't matter how many times we replace the bulbs, we keep having the same problem. Is gmc going to pay my ticket when I get pulled over? *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2013
“I have a snapped off parking brake component beneath my dash rendering the parking brake inoperative. I have already paid classic chevrolet to fix this same exact issue two years ago and it has just snapped again in the same way under the dash using all new correct parts. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2013
“It was determined that the drivers side exhaust manifold bolts were snapped off from the left side of the engine and it was only being held on by 2 of the original bolts. This could have fully broken off while the vehicle was in motion and jammed into my steering shaft! After a very simple google search about gm 6.0 engine exhaust bolts snapping off, I discovered this has happened to thousands of engines of the 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 size. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2012
“The vehicle display indicates "service stability" and the vehicles ABS system begins to grab intermittently causing the vehicle to shake and lose speed drastically. Once pulled off the road if the vehicle is shut off and allowed to sit for a few seconds and restarted it will operate properly again. This incident happened approximately once in june, twice in july, and several times now in august. I thought that maybe it was fluke issue that could be explained by weather as we had exceptionally hot summer thus far. However it is to the point now where I have to take the vehicle into a repair shop to avoid having my wife in an accident. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra denali. The contact stated while driving 25 mph he smelled a very strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic and the contact was told that the high pressure fuel line was severely rusted and was leaking gasoline. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure and the current mileages were 55,000. Updated 09/21/12*lj the fuel pump outlet metal pipe rusted through and gas leaked out. Updated 09/26/12”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact Yukon Denali by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali. The most complained-about area is electrical system (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 GMC Yukon Denali problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,500 miles or less.
Does the 2005 GMC Yukon Denali have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.