7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$890
Average Mileage:
68,350 miles
Total Complaints:
47 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace tail light assembly (31 reports)
  2. replace complete taillight (8 reports)
  3. not sure (5 reports)
  4. finally fixed but not by dealership (1 reports)
  5. replace entire tail light assembly (1 reports)
  6. replace wiring (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your GMC dealer.

problem #47

Oct 042023

Yukon 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I was told by a family member driving behind me that my brake lights and tail lights were not coming on each time I pressed them or they were not on at night. This is very dangerous putting my family at risk to be rear ended. I ended up having to replace both for our safety...for some reason my VIN was not included with the recall that covered some of the other 2015 vehicles

- Shannon K., Tomball, US

problem #46

Jan 022018

Yukon LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

Had several motorist pull up to me at taillights and parking lots and told me my taillight was not working. I took the Yukon to dealership 3 times they could not "create problem" but if problem persist to bring it back. I took it back the 3rd time and light was out, but out of warranty and the extended warranty would not cover lights so I would have to pay $600.00 to purchase new tail light and would be charged to put it in total cost around $1000.00. I took it to a repair shop got it fixed for $500.00 light and labor. Now the other taillight has quit working. I will never buy another GMC/Chevy vehicle. The company will not stand by their products.

- Jean A., Monterey, TN, US

problem #45

Apr 302019

Yukon SLE 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

The first brake light failure occurred in April 2019. The second failure occurred in June 2019, but was not fixed as the dealer claims the brake light is a light not an assembly at cost of $800 for replacement, as no repairs can be made.

GMC should go after the manufacturer for lack of quality light assembly. A do-it-yourself video is available on the internet, but major cutting of the assembly, soldering two leads, and adhesive and seal application is required. It is supposed to be a permanent repair.

- dinglingaz, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #44

Aug 192021

Yukon SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

The left taillight assembly worked occasionally but not consistently. I got pulled over by police and was informed tail light was out. I took it into shop and was charged $950 to replace tail light assembly. I sent letter to GMC and complained and they said this would not be covered because past warranty. I can understand how many things need to be limited with warranty, but I do not quite understand that this is obviously a factory malfunction or shawdy production. GMC refused to offer any help, even though there were many social media posts and internet posts from all over the country in which people were having similar issues. The $950 factory replacement light (I could not find any on the internet from other vendors at that time) was crazy ridiculous, but I really did not have a choice so I replaced the assembly as the police suggested. I wrote a letter to GMC and they responded since it was past warranty, they would not cover replacement cost.

It was later when GMC came out with a letter saying that there were issues with many people having tail lights working intermittently and they would replace these under warranty. I wrote a letter asking why I should be penalized for driving a lot when the tail lights should not have malfunctioned after less than four years of ownership, but they would not budge even though this obviously was a facoty issue and not an issue of the amount of driving I did.

For the past year or so, the right side tail light assembly has now been working intermittently. Living where I do, I notice that the light works well when the temperature is below 5 degrees (F), but when it is warmer, it works intermittently. When it is not working, you can tap on it, and it works, but it seems when you hit the next bump, it will not work. I do not agree that this has anything to do with miles driven, as a matter of fact I do not think it has anything to do with any amount of driving. And through its letter, GMC has basically admitted that this is a factory issue, but yet they will not take accountability for the $950 I spent and the $950 I will have to spend again due to another warning ticket that I received.

I cannot believe a multi-billion dollar company would not stand by their work, and take care of their customers! Please stop buying GMCs!!

- Tom F., Remer, MN, US

problem #43

Jan 252020

Yukon SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

I reported the right tail light assembly not working properly in a previous complaint, but I am creating this complaint as the other tail light assembly has gone out as well. GMC refuses to take responsibility for obvious bad factory work even though they sent a letter out saying there is a problem of these taillights working intermittently! They argue that since I drove miles out of the warranty, they will not take responsibility for covering my costs for their shawdy workmanship. Please do not buy any more GMCs as they do not stand by their product!!

- Tom F., Remer, MN, US

problem #42

Feb 012021

Yukon 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Looks like there is a recall for this problem with GMC, which we were unaware of and we fixed it. Have the proof. When can we sign up for the class action lawsuit?

- Heather W., Omaha, US

problem #41

Jan 022020

Yukon LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I was pulled over by two people in parking lots to tell me that my rear stop lights were not working. Took my car to the dealership immediately because I will be driving from FL to MD. Dealership told me this:

Found the lower harness connectors where they connect to each taillamp had poor pin tension. Unplugged connectors inserted dielectric grease into both sides of each connector on both sides of vehicle. Lamps functions as intended now. Total cost $176.63 plus $30.00 for rental car since it took 2 days.

Sounds great, but was told I had to maybe replace all tail lights. This will cost close to $1,700.00. Great to have this car and now find out I can not just change to the light bulbs. I see that many others have the same problem, I think that GMC needs to recall the car since this could cause an accident. Come on GMC wake up and take care of your customers. If you have a better way to fix the tail lights please let me know as soon as you can. Thanks everyone.

- golfer64, Palm Beach Gardens, US

problem #40

May 012019

Yukon SLE 5.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

Bought my 2015 GMC Yukon in March 2019. After a few months I had people tell me one side of my brake lights were out. I would check them at night and they would work. Went on for a few months. I finally got to see it for myself. Got a letter in the mail January 2020 from GMC stating they knew the brake lights intermittently do not illuminate but they would only fix if the vehicle was under 72,000 miles or 6 years. My truck had 80,000 when I bought it. Took it to the dealership anyways, they wanted $800 for each tail light. I called GMC and they told me it wasn't a safety issue so that's why there wasn't a recall. If brake lights not working isn't a safety issue I don't know what is. I wrote them a nice letter, maybe if they receive enough complaints it will become a recall.

- Ashley L., Florahome, US

problem #39

Sep 012019

Yukon Denali 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,500 miles

Seems rather expensive when the old tail light assembly can be removed the same way and for a few bucks change the bulbs. Now this procedure costs (depending if you can do it yourself) an exorbitant amount for something that is not supposed to fail and that GM will not replace if you are over 50,000 mi.

- brucej455bw, Alliance, US

problem #38

Aug 012019

Yukon SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

Well apparently GM knows it has an issue with the LED lighting and that the connecting metal piece fractures and you have to cut off the plastic to solder the connections together or pay $600 for a new tail light. GMC should be made to recall this issue the vehicles only four years old and they want $600 for a light

- John M., Grafton, US

problem #37

Aug 162019

Yukon XL SLT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,992 miles

This my second complaint for the same vehicle! My first complaint was # 26 I believe. And after replacing the defective pos taillight assembly with one from a 2018 Yukon (a whole story in itself) the freakin thing died again! That leads me to believe that it may be something else other than crappy LED lights and boards. We shall see... I am taking it back to the same dealer and explaining the new situation. I hope they can reach out to somebody higher in the GMC/GM food chain and spark some interest and light a fire under their lazy indifferent asses! The funny story is: After being told by the dealer the replacement would be nearly $800+ and I didn't feel like going thru the trouble of boxing up the defective one and sending it to one of the eBay guys to fix it for $110.00, I pulled my 2018 Yukon XL Denali right up next to the 2015 and proceeded to swap out the right tail light assemblies. Since the '18 is under warranty, that was my ace in a hole! I then re-installed the defective tail light on my Denali and the 2015 XL had a new functioning tail light. That only lasted a few months! But I did promptly take the '18 Denali to my local dealer and they replaced my bad tail light with a new one under warranty. Even funnier the dealer didn't have one in stock and they nicely didn't want to delay me so they got approval from the higher ups to swap out a taillight assembly from something on the lot! Sounds kind of familiar! Ha! So on we go and I feel like King Kong as I defeated the GM problematic lack of service and warranty scenario only now to be faced with the problem again! Stay tuned for an update after I see what the dealership can do this time... Please understand that I do not make it a practice to be deceptive and slightly dishonest on a daily basis - only when one of the big ones screws us little guys!

- S Andrew S., Weeki Wachee, FL, US

problem #36

Jul 232019

Yukon Denali 6.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,275 miles

The first taillight assembly (drivers side) was replaced when the vehicle was less than 2 years old. Now the other assembly (passenger side) needs to be replaced. Both times it was because the brake light did not work. So the taillights work, the turn signal works but the brake light doesn’t so lets replace the ENTIRE assembly at a cost of over $700! The design of this taillight assembly is ridiculous. It is on back order so that means it’s happening to a lot of people. When will it become a recall? If the lights aren’t working it is definitely a safety issue.

- Rick S., Vacaville, CA, US

problem #35

May 012017

Yukon Denali 6.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,882 miles

Thought it was odd to replace the entire taillight assembly just because the brake light did not work, but it was covered under warranty so really didn’t care about cost.

- Rick S., Vacaville, CA, US

problem #34

Mar 012018

Yukon

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I have contacted the company numerous times, taken it in to a local shop as well as the GMC Dealership. Everyone knows this is an ongoing issue. I've collected many photos of this same make and model just here in my small town that is also experiencing this exact issue. Some days one tail light/brake light is out, other days its both. How can GMC say this isn't an issue they should be responsible for? THIS IS A SAFETY hazard. These lights are LED and said to last for extended years. Its not a light issue, but a wiring/electrical issue. GMC told me to have it taken in, which I did, and had to pay $70 for a diagnostic test that said I needed to replace both lights. What? Why?? Its the wiring not the actual light. Something needs to be done. Lawsuit? Recall? I don't care but I will not spend any of my money for their mistake.

- Brittney S., Hattiesburg, MS, US

problem #33

Jun 292019

Yukon XL Denali V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,800 miles

The day of replacing a simple bulb is almost gone....everything is LED. Please explain to me why an LED tail light is not easily repairable and WHY THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR $800....JUST THE ASSEMBLY?! This 2015 Yukon GMC (Denali Pkg) has cost me a ridiculous amount of money to replace things that shouldn't be replaced with only 86K and less miles such as shocks at 76K. The radio decides not to work on a rare occasion and the transmission takes a varying 2-4 seconds to shift into reverse and sometimes with some loud noise [clanging]. Junk!

- Craig R., Richmond, US

problem #32

Jun 292018

Yukon SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,760 miles

Ridiculous! I bought my GMC used. Unfortunately I did not get the extended warranty. The light went out 4mo after I had it. Dealer said $700 to get it fixed. I did buy one on eBay for $300 cheaper. Now the other light is acting up!

- Kimberly B., Middle River, MD, US

problem #31

May 222019

Yukon ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,534 miles

My 2015 GMC Yukon tail lights works intermittently. If I hit the light it will come on and the other tail light flickers when I hit the opposite tail light. I'm so frustrated at the dealership because they said it will be $900 per light to fix. I think that is absolutely ridiculous!! I was trying to research how to replace the light myself and wound up on this website. The lights should definitely be recalled. The way the light flicker on and off when we hit the bulb leads me to believe it is an electrical issue. Am I wrong?

- Erika H., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #30

May 022019

Yukon Denali XL 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

I have 2 2015 Yukon Denali XLs and had to replace the taillights on one about a year ago. Now the other Denali needs both taillights replaced. This is a very common problem. Why isn't there a recall on these taillights?

- Al T., Peoria, AZ, US

problem #29

May 062019

Yukon Denali

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Unbelievable that two new tail lights cost me $2100.00 at the dealer. Not covered by any warranty and it's sad that LED taillights had to be replaced so early on in this car's life. IT WAS A HUGE SHOCK at the COST, just pitiful.

- Shana M., Christiana, TN, US

problem #28

Mar 232019

Yukon Denali

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

The passenger side rear tail light ensemble is malfunctioning. The brake light does not work, however the turn signal does work. I figured it would be a simple bulb replacement. My daughter and her boyfriend went to town for me and went to AutoZone. She called and said "guess how much?" I said $19--she said "TRY $800!" The whole tail light needs to be replaced and it is LED. She said we are going to the GMC dealership to see if this is actually correct. Unfortunately, Midway Motors in McPherson KS verified that the part is almost $700 plus labor if we want them to install.

I feel that is a ridiculous cost--and then I see that many have the same complaint. This is our third Yukon Denali and I'm a little disappointed.

- Tammy G., McPherson, US

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