2004 GMC Yukon Denali XL problems
NHTSA has received 70 complaints about the 2004 GMC Yukon Denali XL, and 29% of them involve brakes. Next are electrical system (27%) and stability control (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 70 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 103,000 miles 66 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 11 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 11 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 8 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 66 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 103,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 103,000 miles (20 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 90% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 11 model years of the GMC Yukon Denali XL with enough data (14 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
This has occurred several times since the initial occurrence. At various speeds (5-55 MPH) the steering goes out and you cannot move the steering wheel. Our vehicle has been in the shop multiple times over the years to correct this. The mechanics cannot find anything wrong, and since this is not a continuous problem, they are unable to experience it.
Driving at 35 MPH when the brakes suddenly stopped working with no indication preceding incident. Vehicle made contact with curb before coming to a complete stop. Discovered rear brake lines had completely corroded through and vehicle was losing fluid. Apparently this is a known problem that GM refuses to fix.
Speedometer failed. Unsafe situation. Speedometer is currently registering erroneous readings. GM has issued a service bulletin on this problem and is replacing speedometers in vehicles with under 70,000 miles. My 2004 GMC has 88,000 miles and is not covered by their current campaign. Speedometer indicates 60MPH while in park.
Excessive rust build up on brake lines, rotors and calipers. Rotors & pads previously replaced in sept., 2008. Needed replacement again in oct., 2012 after only driving 16,000 miles. Brake lines are severely corroded and are in need of replacement. Control arm linkage attached to height sensor actuator also broke at about the same time.
Vehicle started fine, then as I was driving in neighborhood engine shut off and I lost all power, could not turn car without steering and crashed into curb up the street, car would not start, had aaa come tow to our home. Had a new battery, and would only take a charge when bypassing battery directly into engine. Now something is draining battery and if I don't start and run every two days , battery dead.