Total Complaints
141 filings
GMC YUKON DENALI · model year
141 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004GMCYUKON DENALI carries 141 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 7 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 YUKON DENALI is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 34 filings, followed by electrical system (23) and electronic stability control (esc) (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2004 YUKON DENALI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
141 filings
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 34 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 8 |
| ENGINE | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
THIS IS THE 2ND GM ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING AFTER 50000 MILES . WHEN I RESEARCH ON MINE THERE ARE A BUNCH OF OWNERS THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. AND IT'S THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
FIRST THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE 2008. MY SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED THE WRONG SPEED. MY SETTINGS FOR THE SEAT AND MIRRORS QUIT WORKING OVER TIME.HOT AIR WOULD COME OUT OF MY VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON RANDOMLY. RADIO, NAVIGATION, HEAT, AIR CONDITIONER AND MIRRORS WOULD TURN ON/OFF RANDOMLY WITHOUT TOUCHING CONTROLS. THE LAST 3 YEARS WENT THROUGH 3 BATTERIES IN 3 YEARS. TESTS SHOWED AT LEAST 5 THINGS ARE ACTIVELY DRAINING BATTERY IN THE FUSE BOX. ISSUES HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN CAR WAS ON BUT MIRRORS WOULD RANDOMLY MOVE WHEN CAR WAS NOT ON, VERY CREEPY.
Mileage: 32,000
FIRST THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE 2008. MY SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED THE WRONG SPEED. MY SETTINGS FOR THE SEAT AND MIRRORS QUIT WORKING OVER TIME.HOT AIR WOULD COME OUT OF MY VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON RANDOMLY. RADIO, NAVIGATION, HEAT, AIR CONDITIONER AND MIRRORS WOULD TURN ON/OFF RANDOMLY WITHOUT TOUCHING CONTROLS. THE LAST 3 YEARS WENT THROUGH 3 BATTERIES IN 3 YEARS. TESTS SHOWED AT LEAST 5 THINGS ARE ACTIVELY DRAINING BATTERY IN THE FUSE BOX. ISSUES HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN CAR WAS ON BUT MIRRORS WOULD RANDOMLY MOVE WHEN CAR WAS NOT ON, VERY CREEPY.
Mileage: 32,000
FIRST THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE 2008. MY SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED THE WRONG SPEED. MY SETTINGS FOR THE SEAT AND MIRRORS QUIT WORKING OVER TIME.HOT AIR WOULD COME OUT OF MY VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON RANDOMLY. RADIO, NAVIGATION, HEAT, AIR CONDITIONER AND MIRRORS WOULD TURN ON/OFF RANDOMLY WITHOUT TOUCHING CONTROLS. THE LAST 3 YEARS WENT THROUGH 3 BATTERIES IN 3 YEARS. TESTS SHOWED AT LEAST 5 THINGS ARE ACTIVELY DRAINING BATTERY IN THE FUSE BOX. ISSUES HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN CAR WAS ON BUT MIRRORS WOULD RANDOMLY MOVE WHEN CAR WAS NOT ON, VERY CREEPY.
Mileage: 32,000
THE ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON AND I'VE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC BUT IT COMES RIGHT BACK ON AGAIN. THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. WHEN YOU FILL THE TANK TO FULL THE ARROW ONLY GOES TO THE HALFWAY MARK.
Mileage: 130,000
I COULD BE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE RIGHT OF COME ON AND STABILITY TRACTION DISABLED COME HOME AND CUT MY POWER THEY ARE TO 10 MILES AN HOUR WHILE I'M DRIVING
FRONT SEAT HEATER FOR DRIVER COMES ON WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON WITHOUT BEING SELECTED.
Mileage: 105,000
WHEN PRESSING MORE THAN ONE DRIVERS WINDOW CONTROL, THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCASIONALLY MOVES TO THE FULL FORWARD POSITION FORCING THE DRIVER UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL (STEER) THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 1,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM KNOWING HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER REPLACEMENT ENDED IN 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Mileage: 105,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE SLAMMED TO A STOP AS IF SOMEONE STRUCK THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 116,000
THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, ON THE 2004 GMC DENALIS. IT'S LIKE IT STARTS SLOW YOUR GAUGES GO OUT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING! THEN THE OIL, TEMP FOR ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION. WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE. THEN THE BRAKES GET A MIND OF THEIR OWN. RECENTLY THE RADIO & LIGHTS ARE ACTING UP WHICH IS SCARY, I HAVE A 7 YR. OLD. THE HEAT IN THE BACK DOESN'T WORK FOR HER, SO I HAVE SEVERAL BLANKETS FOR HER. THE TELEVISION QUIT LONG AGO, IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WE BOUGHT THE CAR, SO KIDS COULD WATCH TELEVISION ON LONG TRIPS, OR WHENEVER. WE PAID A LOT FOR THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD THINK GMC WOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THE PRODUCT THEY STAND BY,AND ARE VERY PROUD OF. I WOULD LOVE TO JUST PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE THAT LUXURY, I LOST MY JOB, WE ARE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK WITH MY HUSBANDS INCOME. I CAN'T FIX OR REPLACE THIS CAR, THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVED BEFORE ALL THE MALFUNCTIONS/DEFECTS. I HAVE A GARMIN SO I CAN TELL MY SPEED, AND HAVE TO HIT THE SIDE INSI
Mileage: 96,000
THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, ON THE 2004 GMC DENALIS. IT'S LIKE IT STARTS SLOW YOUR GAUGES GO OUT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING! THEN THE OIL, TEMP FOR ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION. WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE. THEN THE BRAKES GET A MIND OF THEIR OWN. RECENTLY THE RADIO & LIGHTS ARE ACTING UP WHICH IS SCARY, I HAVE A 7 YR. OLD. THE HEAT IN THE BACK DOESN'T WORK FOR HER, SO I HAVE SEVERAL BLANKETS FOR HER. THE TELEVISION QUIT LONG AGO, IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WE BOUGHT THE CAR, SO KIDS COULD WATCH TELEVISION ON LONG TRIPS, OR WHENEVER. WE PAID A LOT FOR THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD THINK GMC WOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THE PRODUCT THEY STAND BY,AND ARE VERY PROUD OF. I WOULD LOVE TO JUST PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE THAT LUXURY, I LOST MY JOB, WE ARE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK WITH MY HUSBANDS INCOME. I CAN'T FIX OR REPLACE THIS CAR, THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVED BEFORE ALL THE MALFUNCTIONS/DEFECTS. I HAVE A GARMIN SO I CAN TELL MY SPEED, AND HAVE TO HIT THE SIDE INSI
Mileage: 96,000
THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, ON THE 2004 GMC DENALIS. IT'S LIKE IT STARTS SLOW YOUR GAUGES GO OUT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING! THEN THE OIL, TEMP FOR ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION. WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE. THEN THE BRAKES GET A MIND OF THEIR OWN. RECENTLY THE RADIO & LIGHTS ARE ACTING UP WHICH IS SCARY, I HAVE A 7 YR. OLD. THE HEAT IN THE BACK DOESN'T WORK FOR HER, SO I HAVE SEVERAL BLANKETS FOR HER. THE TELEVISION QUIT LONG AGO, IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WE BOUGHT THE CAR, SO KIDS COULD WATCH TELEVISION ON LONG TRIPS, OR WHENEVER. WE PAID A LOT FOR THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD THINK GMC WOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THE PRODUCT THEY STAND BY,AND ARE VERY PROUD OF. I WOULD LOVE TO JUST PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE THAT LUXURY, I LOST MY JOB, WE ARE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK WITH MY HUSBANDS INCOME. I CAN'T FIX OR REPLACE THIS CAR, THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVED BEFORE ALL THE MALFUNCTIONS/DEFECTS. I HAVE A GARMIN SO I CAN TELL MY SPEED, AND HAVE TO HIT THE SIDE INSI
Mileage: 96,000
DRIVING VEHICLE AT 30 MPH. LOST ALL POWER AND ENGINE. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NO DASH LIGHTS, ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, NO EXTERIOR LIGHTS. PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. NO POWER AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF WAITING VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AND HAD MINIMAL ACCELERATION/POWER. *TR
Mileage: 82,000
DRIVING VEHICLE AT 30 MPH. LOST ALL POWER AND ENGINE. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NO DASH LIGHTS, ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, NO EXTERIOR LIGHTS. PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. NO POWER AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF WAITING VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AND HAD MINIMAL ACCELERATION/POWER. *TR
Mileage: 82,000
DRIVING VEHICLE AT 30 MPH. LOST ALL POWER AND ENGINE. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NO DASH LIGHTS, ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, NO EXTERIOR LIGHTS. PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. NO POWER AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF WAITING VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AND HAD MINIMAL ACCELERATION/POWER. *TR
Mileage: 82,000
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOST POWER SLID ON BRAKES, AIR BAG LIGHT AND STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOST POWER SLID ON BRAKES, AIR BAG LIGHT AND STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOST POWER SLID ON BRAKES, AIR BAG LIGHT AND STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *TR
Mileage: 125,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON DENALI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARE TIRE THAT WAS LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE DETACHED AND FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ASSEMBLY THAT SECURES THE SPARE TIRE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.