Key Fob issues

R. K. · November 19, 2019

2015 GMC Yukon Denali

1. Battery is fresh so that’s not the issue.

Vehicle fails to recognize the fob is present.

Doors will not lock with the fob and if locked manually, may or may not open the door.

When I turn the vehicle off and try to lock it, the instrument lights stay lit.

I see tjat there there are some comments on the 18-19 GM trucks having key fob issues but nothing on the 15.

Any ideas?

Sr. Oso · November 19, 2019

This is from the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali manual.

SkyKing6565 · February 10, 2021

I have a 18 Yukon Denali and having the same issues. I've NEVER had a remote so unreliable on ANY vehicle I've owned, especially a GM. 20% of the time, it won't even recognize the fob when I'm INSIDE the vehicle. The distance is maybe 20 feet to start the vehicle. I changed out both batteries, still...the same. There's a lot of this on the web, but no one has come up with an answer. People have even purchased new remotes and had them reprogramed to the vehicle, still...same results. Did you find a solution?

Kickrocks · January 4, 2022

On 2/10/2021 at 12:08 PM, SkyKing6565 said:

I have a 18 Yukon Denali and having the same issues. I've NEVER had a remote so unreliable on ANY vehicle I've owned, especially a GM. 20% of the time, it won't even recognize the fob when I'm INSIDE the vehicle. The distance is maybe 20 feet to start the vehicle. I changed out both batteries, still...the same. There's a lot of this on the web, but no one has come up with an answer. People have even purchased new remotes and had them reprogramed to the vehicle, still...same results. Did you find a solution?

I am having this exact issue. The dealership charged me $600 to reset one of my remotes to make it start the vehicle and told me to throw away my second remote. It worked for two weeks and now I’m back to square one. I don’t want to go back and spend more money to have them “troubleshoot/guess” and charge me 150/hr. If you have found a solution please share. Thank you

Tahoe02 · January 8, 2022

Kickrocks, I would be setting up a meeting with the Service Manager to discuss your options letting him/her know that you just spent $600 to fix the problem and it is still there. I would be professional but stern on them taking another look at the issue on their dime. He has the authority to do so. Also ask him about being told to throw your other remote away. Good luck.

Tahoe02 · January 8, 2022

Also if not mistaken there is an antenna located in the drivers side door which has fixed this issue.

nfisherman · June 11, 2022

I had this problem with my 2019 Yukon XL Denali. There is a service bulletin about it and there is a long thread somewhere on this forum about it. It comes down to a small antenna located, I think, above the headliner near one of the rear windows. I found the service bulletin and showed my service manager. He confirmed the problem and replaced the antenna under warranty. My remotes have worked perfectly since then.