7.8
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $900
- Average Mileage:
- 67,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 46 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace tail light assembly (30 reports)
- replace complete taillight (8 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
- finally fixed but not by dealership (1 reports)
- replace entire tail light assembly (1 reports)
- replace wiring (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your GMC dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
June 2017 we purchased a Certified used GMC Yukon XL SLT with 34,000 miles on it from a GMC dealer. The certified label lured us into thinking it had an extended warranty and the dealer would stand behind this vehicle. So far any issues were handled by the dealership quite well and we were satisfied.
Now less than 2 years have gone by and I noticed the right rear taillight was not working properly - only had one area that illuminated. The dealer service dept just checked it out and told us it would be $691.00 to replace it, it was not covered under anything! They tried to calm us down and said they could try and locate a used one... that would be $485.00!
I have researched this and found this site and it seems I am complaint #24 for this dilemma. I have seen where we can send the assembly off and have it repaired for $110.00 plus shipping to and from. So before I do that I just may have that defective unit pulled off that vehicle (my wife's Yukon) and I will swap it out on my 2018 Yukon and then take mine to the dealer and get it replaced for free under the warranty!
That's dirty dealing but that is what we must do to combat defective materials by our beloved US automakers... otherwise I will join the bandwagon and purchase foreign crap that lasts longer, costs less and probably has a better warranty on it - and not buy US products like we want to. Thanks GM for the headache and disappointment!
- S Andrew S., Weeki Wachee, FL, US
This is the 2nd time my right (passenger) side rear tail light / brake light went out. About an $800 fix. The first time was in April 2018 and then February 2019. No longer under any warranty. Something electrical is causing these lights to malfunction.
- Chris H., Kirkwood, US
There really should be a recall issued for this since this is happening so often with other owners.
- Arnel D., Palo Alto, CA, US
Passenger side rear taillight/brake light LED assembly stop working. Had to replace the whole assembly.
- Gail D., Lebanon, US
So does anyone have the phone number to call and report it, so there is a list going? This is ridiculous. Why isn't there a lawsuit yet? If anyone has a solution on how to get GMC to cover it, I'm all ears.
- Liz D., Palm Beach Gardens, US
Passenger side rear LED light assembly went out. Dealer wanted $700 for part plus labor to take out and put new in. Suppose to last for 50,000 Hours. Mine lasted about 1400 hours. Use to be able to just put in new bulb. Not any more. The whole assembly or nothing.
- Chris H., Kirkwood, US
The electrical system in our 2015 has never been right since we purchased our 2015 Yukon XL Denali. The screen would flicker, the running boards were continually moving up and down on their own, and now the wiring assembly in our taillight will cost us $775!!
- Debra M., Smyrna, DE, US
We have purchased 7 taillights for the car since have had it. how is this not a recall? There is thousands of complaints on this same issue.
- Josh S., Whitesburg, TN, US
I only recently learned that this was a common problem with my model vehicle. At the time, I was told the bulb went out, and was shocked to learn that something so small meant I needed an whole, new $800 assembly.
- Yvonne I., Naples, FL, US
Christmas day on the way to family another Yukon pulls up to get our attention tells us our drivers side brake light is out. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't, mostly it doesn't. Will have to replace the entire unit part cost $500.00. Not including labor. Had a tech look at it told me it acted like a short, checked all wiring and found a spot that if he held it tight, the light worked. Can't drive and hold the light. All connections seem ok. I see so many Yukon's with brake lights not working. I know GMC knows about this I am waiting for the passenger side to go out. What next GM waits until enough people get rear ended because of no brake lights. Really this sucks! Hopefully they will admit to bad design and get this fixed before someone gets rear ended and killed.
- klwilki292, Lake City, US
I am very unhappy with my purchase of a 2015 GMC Yukon. At 3 years old I have had to fix the AC. Now the taillights are not working properly. In my research it is a KNOWN problem on GMC's side. It's infuriating to know I spent so much money on a LEMON!
- Jinjer D., Yukon, US
Apparently, this right tail light is a problem on 2015 GMC Yukon. Now I wonder if it is a wiring problem. I unplugged, and replugged.
- Colin C., Fallston, MD, US
Really upset there seems to be complaints about this problem with the brake light not working and there's no recall on it. This is my rear passenger light. Replacing the entire tail light for $800 seems ludicrous, will be making a complaint to GM as well. I had such a good experience with GMs in the past, I'm really surprised this is happening! I will be replacing with aftermarket rather than going through the dealer for one, as it's cheaper to buy 2! Installation is super easy and I am no mechanic! I can't imagine having to replace both!
- Melissa B., Carstairs, AB, Canada
Our 30 month old 2015 GMC Yukon tail lights failed. No help from GM or the dealer and GM knows this is a big problem and has so far ignored. The lights are sealed units and not repairable by the average jo. GM has some how avoided a class action lawsuit so far despite the safety issues and it makes me sick there is no recall. A $65000 vehicle should not need new $1200 tail lights every 2-3 years. It appears it is a a problem with 15-18 year models Yukon, Tahoe. This is our 3rd Yukon and will be our last and last GM car. The lack of interest by the dealer and GM as I have tried to have this issue resolved has been sickening. I am trying to get the word out on every car complaint, review sight I can find. STAY AWAY FROM 2015-18 YUKONS.
- Scott V., Chandler, AZ, US
tail light problems seem to be common with 2015 Yukon. very expensive repair, wondering how long until other side stops working.
- Ron S., Los Gatos, CA, US
Crazy to spend almost a grand on a taillight for a 3 year old car! I've seen many Yukons with taillights out, it's a manuf problem and a recall should take place.
- Cyrus V., Nashville, US
If we all have this problem since 2015 how come nothing has been done about it.
Both tail lights in my truck have to be replace for 1600 dollars
- Erik H., Houston, TX, US
This is not covered under the extended warranty because they say it's a light element or bulb. If its just a bulb, why does it require the entire right rear light assembly to be replaced and cost over $750. This is a design flaw. There is no way this unit should be bad at just two years old.
- Bill W., Jacksonville, US
In Feb 2016, my right side tail light went out. It was covered under Warranty. In Aug 2017 my left side tail light went out and within days the right side went out again. I took it to the dealer (140 miles away) and they said it would cost $750. per tail light to replace. $1,500. out of pocket, no other option. Barely out of warranty. The Dealer gave me a toll free number to GM and GM said they could offer no help as it was out of warranty and it was not something they had any complaints on. Went on line, found after market tail lights for less than $500. for the pair. They look better and work! I have made a complaint to GM and of course, they do not like the after market idea. I had my tail light go out of my 2014 Sierra PU about the same time and I replaced the bulb for about $3. What were they thinking? I understand that GM needs to make a profit but $750 for a tail light is excessive.
- Woody I., Hawthorne, US
The whole back taillight had to be replaced. Poor design and a common problem on the 2015 Denali. There is a common area that breaks.
Not only a big expense but also a large waste of material considering the whole unit has to be replaced. Cost is over $800.00 and the dealer buys back the old light for $50 seems a bit suspicious by GMC.
- Kristen S., Menlo Park, CA, US