2005 GMC Yukon XL
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 69 |
| 2001 | 120 |
| 2002 | 95 |
| 2003 | 102 |
| 2004 | 87 |
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 95 |
| 2008 | 69 |
| 2009 | 23 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2011 | 47 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 306 |
| 2016 | 199 |
| 2017 | 143 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 43 |
| 2021 | 198 |
| 2022 | 149 |
| 2023 | 184 |
| 2024 | 57 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 22 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: engine — 7 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
AFTER GETTING FULL TUNE UP MY ENGINE STARTS TICKING WHEN I START MY MY CAR AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING THE TICKING STOPS CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE BLINKS ON AND OFF . ALREADY CHANGED COILS FROM INSTRUCTED READ STILL GET STALLING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181119
A BOLT HEAD FOR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE OFF AND IS CAUSING EMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140120
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 GMC YUKON XL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLAPPING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130515
17% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
14% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: service brakes — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM, THE DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM TURNS ON AT TIMES DURING RUNNING AND THE RIM HEATS UP AND A STRONG SMELL OF BRAKES COMES OUT, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE REAR TIRES EXPLODED AND I CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200910
AFTER GETTING FULL TUNE UP MY ENGINE STARTS TICKING WHEN I START MY MY CAR AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING THE TICKING STOPS CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE BLINKS ON AND OFF . ALREADY CHANGED COILS FROM INSTRUCTED READ STILL GET STALLING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181119
STEP ON BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR NO BRAKES. BRAKE LINE AND AC LINE RUSTED DRIVERS SIDE. REPLACED BRAKE LINE STILL HAVE NO AIR.$60,000 TRUCK AND THEY CAN'T USE S/S LINES? YA! AM PISSED, WON'T BUY GM AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120730
7% of complaints: steering — 3 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004
Campaign 04V376000 — check if this car was fixed
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, START
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-86
Campaign 05V055000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNER
Campaign 05V103000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL
Campaign 05V043000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9
Campaign 06V289000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 GMC Yukon XL — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V376000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V055000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V103000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V043000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V289000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 GMC Yukon XL is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 GMC Yukon XL?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 GMC Yukon XL have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.