GMC Yukon XL Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Recent Safety Incidents — Last 5 Model Years
Own a GMC Yukon XL? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
GMC Yukon XL — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Excellent | — | 12 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2025 | Excellent | — | 12 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2024 | Good | 1 | 24 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2023 | Avoid | 1 | 124 | — | 19 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2022 | Caution | 2 | 102 | 2 | 10 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2021 | Avoid | 7 | 125 | 2 | 2 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2020 | Good | 2 | 23 | 2 | 2 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2019 | Good | 1 | 30 | 5 | 9 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2018 | Good | 1 | 35 | 5 | 10 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2017 | Caution | — | 103 | 3 | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2016 | Caution | 2 | 131 | 8 | 1 | — | Exterior Lighting | Full report → |
| 2015Worst | Avoid | 1 | 193 | 4 | 10 | — | Exterior Lighting | Full report → |
| 2014Best | Excellent | 2 | 5 | 3 | — | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2013 | Excellent | 3 | 11 | — | — | — | Structure | Full report → |
| 2012 | Good | 2 | 16 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2011 | Good | 3 | 45 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2010 | Good | 3 | 25 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2009 | Good | 3 | 23 | — | 2 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2008 | Good | 2 | 58 | 1 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2007 | Avoid | 2 | 101 | 5 | 25 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2006 | Good | 1 | 22 | — | — | — | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Full report → |
| 2005 | Good | 4 | 43 | 2 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2004 | Caution | 3 | 94 | 3 | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2003 | Avoid | 3 | 132 | 8 | 10 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2002 | Caution | 2 | 98 | 6 | 2 | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2001 | Avoid | 4 | 117 | 12 | 8 | 4 | Parking Brake | Full report → |
| 2000 | Good | 2 | 46 | 4 | 1 | — | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
27 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common GMC Yukon XL Problems
Based on 1,750 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Recent Safety Recalls — GMC Yukon XL (2022–2026)
General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252536750. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
Showing 7 recalls from 2022–2026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.
Recent Owner Complaints
Direct reports filed with NHTSA by GMC Yukon XL owners — 2022–2026 model years.
I ordered and purchased this vehicle in November of 2021. Since it was new, it has consumed approximately one quart of oil per oil change interval as indicated on the oil life monitor system. Every time I have it serviced by the same dealership, I have inquired as to if this amount of consumption is "normal". They said it wasn't excessive yet to continue monitoring it. This vehicle did pass the recent engine recall inspection yet I'm still feeling as if there may be a problem that hasn't fully surfaced yet based on the initial recall.
On [XXX], my 2022 GMC Yukon Denali XL (VIN [XXX] ) experienced a complete loss of propulsion while I was driving on [XXX] in El Paso, Texas, with my wife and two young children in the vehicle. Mileage was approximately 50,364. While in motion, the vehicle was displaying abnormal behavior, concerned the vehicle would stall on the highway, I exited at the Geronimo exit. As the vehicle slowed, it shut down entirely. Multiple restart attempts failed. The dashboard cycled on and off, displaying a "Service 4WD" warning while the vehicle was in 2WD mode. The transmission locked, and the vehicle became inoperable in the middle of the roadway with traffic passing on both sides. OnStar SOS was activated to communicate the unsafe location. The El Paso Police Department was requested to divert traffic. A city tow vehicle arrived after approximately fifteen minutes; my family was assisted across the roadway. Roadside assistance did not arrive for approximately three hours. This was the second loss-of-propulsion event on this vehicle in less than twelve months. The first occurred in March 2025 and resulted in engine replacement under NHTSA Safety Recall 25V274 (L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion). The [XXX] failure occurred after the recall remedy had been applied and the engine was replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the throttle body, intake air duct and a service item titled "Repair open ground circuit". I am filing this report to document a second loss-of-propulsion event on a vehicle that already received the remedy under Recall 25V274, and to ensure NHTSA has visibility into the potential pattern of recurring or inadequate remedy on the L87 platform. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The current 6.2L engine recall was completed by Janssen Chevrolet in Holdrege, NE and it was noted the vehicle was fine. On April 11th, while driving down Interstate 80 in Nebraska, the engine suddenly died and would not restart. No warning lights or indicators illuminated prior to the failure and there were no symptoms. By sheer luck, it occurred before the head to head construction area with no shoulder and there was a rest area within coasting distance that and we were able to reach. I had little children in the car and we were stranded on the highway until friends were able to pick up the family and transport them to Lincoln and I was able to travel with the tow truck to deposit the vehicle at Husker Auto Group in Lincoln, NE. I was forced to rent a vehicle from a 3rd party as the dealer was closed and it was Saturday evening. On Monday, the dealer confirmed metal in the oil and filter and that the engine was completely dead and unable to be repaired, requiring replacement under the current recall. A much smaller loaner vehicle, insufficient to transport my family has been provided. It has been 13 days and there is no update on how long the vehicle will be out of service awaiting an engine.
I was on the Highway and had the vehicle on cruise control, the super cruise was not available the entire trip. Suddenly a warning came on saying that supper cruise was not available please take the wheel, the truck started slowing down drastically while I’m doing 70mph which is the speed limit. I put my foot on the brake to disengage the cruise control but that did not work. I had to push the cancel button on the wheel to take it off. This has happened to me twice while on the highway.
I am submitting a complaint regarding a serious engine failure in my 2022 GMC Yukon XL equipped with the 5.3L engine (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has experienced a complete failure of the lifters and camshaft. Prior to the failure, there were noticeable engine performance issues, including abnormal ticking noises, rough operation, and loss of power. The condition worsened rapidly, ultimately resulting in the engine becoming inoperable. This failure presents a significant safety concern, as the sudden loss of engine performance or power could occur while driving at speed, increasing the risk of a crash. The vehicle is currently not drivable and requires extensive engine repair or replacement. Given the severity of this issue and the potential safety risks, I am requesting that this complaint be formally investigated. I understand that similar issues have been reported in vehicles with this engine, and I believe this may indicate a broader defect affecting reliability and safety. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is needed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
on 2/28/26 i experienced complete engine failure on my 23 Yukon. I was going 70mph on the highway when the engine kicked and and kicked into neutral. the car spent 6 weeks in the dealer to have the engine replaced. i picked up the car on Wednesday, 4/15. On 4/16, i was once again driving, as normal when it suddenly turned off and kicked into neutral. 1 day after I picked up the vehicle it is once again being towed back to the dealer for the same symptoms it had when the entire engine had to be replaced. Both times, there is no warning. The car dings and a message comes up saying "restart vehicle". On 2/28, the car would not restart. On 4/16, the car did restart but only temporarily This is a major safety problem. The first occurrence I was going 70mph on the highway when i lost power. The second occurrence, I was driving 20mph on my neighborhood street and suddenly lost all power.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle experienced unexpected gear shifting. The check engine warning light illuminated and then disappeared when the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact used a handheld diagnostic machine and retrieved DTC: P0747. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
On March 14th the 6.2L engine was making a loud noise so I took it straight to the dealership and dropped it off. It was determined to be a failed engine. I have not been able to use my vehicle for 5 weeks now.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine, battery and alternator seem to be failing or not working together. Car will sit in garage for less than 12 hours and will not start the next morning. Take the battery and alternator to get tested and everything passes. Have had the battery tested at multiple times but believe this is due to engine recall. Check engine light comes on, we take it to the GMC dealer and they say they can't determine the issue or why it is happening. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car will not start or check engine light comes on in middle of trip. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Service center can't "reproduce" any of the issues and are telling us they have no way of checking why the light comes on in software module. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, check engine light comes on and then goes away.
Motor seized while going 50mph down the road. Motor died and had to get to the side of the road. All electrical stuck on
My car lost all power on a bridge and started jerking me forwards and backwards. High RPMS and eventually lost reverse. Code number p0777. Seems aligned with the newest transmission recall, but my vin is not listed.
I own a 2023 GMC Yukon Denali. In Nov. 2023, at about 4,000 miles, the vehicle suffered a complete engine and electrical failure at highway speed while I was traveling with my husband and three small children. It suddenly lost all power in the fast lane, including acceleration and engine function. Steering became extremely heavy, consistent with loss of power steering assist, and the electronics shut down. We had to guide the vehicle across traffic while coasting downhill to the shoulder beyond a guardrail. Traffic had to avoid us, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed and required a complete engine replacement under warranty. After that replacement, additional issues followed. There was an HVAC/defrost concern. In June 2025, the vehicle again became inoperable without warning while parked at a store. It would not start despite repeated attempts, including by a dealership representative. A diagnostic scan produced over a page of error codes, but the dealership could not identify a cause and stated the vehicle was safe. In Dec. 2025, the vehicle engine was inspected under a recall and I was told there were no issues. In Feb. 2026, the vehicle lost heat and was found to have no coolant despite regular maintenance and recent inspection. In Mar. 2026, at about 37,700 miles, the vehicle developed a loud clunking noise while driving. I stopped driving and returned it to the dealership, where I was told the engine had failed again and required another full replacement. The vehicle has now had two engine failures and three engines installed in less than three years. There were no warning lights or prior indications before these failures. I no longer believe this vehicle is safe or reliable for transporting my family.
396 total complaints retrieved from NHTSA for 2022–2026. For older model years, see individual year pages.
Yukon XL Years to Avoid
Best Yukon XL Years to Buy
GMC Yukon XL Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — GMC Yukon XL Reliability
What year Yukon XL has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 GMC Yukon XL had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 193 complaints and 1 safety recalls. See the full 2015 report for specific defects.
Is the GMC Yukon XL reliable?
The GMC Yukon XL has accumulated 1,750 owner-filed complaints and 57 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 4 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2014 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Yukon XL.
What are the most common Yukon XL problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine (275 reports), Electrical System (211 reports), Exterior Lighting (145 reports), Power Train (142 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Yukon XL has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific GMC Yukon XL VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
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