AI Damage2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500: common problems
Owners of the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 6% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (8% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
It has on numerous occasions just completely shut down and therefore loss of power steering and brakes occurs. Making this very dangerous. The last time it happened I was on the highway traveling at 80 mph. The result could have been deadly. I am not sure why gmc has done nothing to fix this issue.
I have 4 michelin tires purchased from costco late 2013, type: lt265/75r16, dot m34n 00cx. Less than 30k miles on all 4. All 4 tires are heavily cracked all around the sidewalls.
The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion near the front windshield area and the rear window. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not recommend a solution. The failure mileage was not available.
While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle began to shake. The engine stalled and lost power. The stability system disabled and reduced engine power warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the engine, waited, and then restarted the vehicle.
Knocking sound started about the same time. Took car in to be checked out. Was told brake lines were completely rusted, and needed a new transmission. We paid for repair of the instrument panel. Talked to our dealership, holman in cincinnati oh, about breaks. No recall listed.
Engine turn it self off while moving, doors lock it self, turn signals will not return after turning, then bright lights come on when selecting turn signals, loud rattling noise underneath the car; not sure what it could be.
So not years later still can't fix it..can't find the resistor and now I have no air no heat for 3 years now.
I was traveling on saturday morning, in my dads 2004 yukon luckily it was early enough not much traffic at the time, it was raining and I was not driving very fast normal speed on the highway is 40 miles per hour on us11 because of congestion and traffic lights, I was traveling between 30 and 35 mph because of rain,…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,253 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Yukon XL 1500 has 22 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 36, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
- Yukon XL 1500 200015 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200129 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200223 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200363 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200524 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 20065 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200760 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200818 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 200911 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 20108 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 201112 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 20125 sources
- Yukon XL 1500 2023407 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (14%), warning lights, check engine (11%), knocking, grinding or other noise (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.