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GMC Yukon XLYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 2,460 NHTSA owner complaints across 27 model years, the GMC Yukon XL years to avoid are 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2023, and the strongest years are 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2020. The Yukon XL has 54 safety recalls on record.

GMC Yukon XL
Years to avoid'15 '21 '22 '23Use caution: 2016, 2017, 2024Best years'05 '10 '11 '20Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints2,460Top: EngineSafety recalls542000–2026 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Best & worst years

GMC Yukon XL years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Yukon XL median. Tap a year for its full report.

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2026Too new–/10041 complaints · 3 recalls2025Too new–/10028 complaints · 1 recall2024Caution31/10075 complaints · 2 recalls2023Avoid16/100229 complaints · 4 recalls2022Avoid23/100176 complaints · 4 recalls2021Avoid21/100237 complaints · 12 recalls2020Solid59/10047 complaints · 2 recalls2019Solid53/10068 complaints · 2 recalls2018Solid57/10058 complaints · 2 recalls2017Caution41/100147 complaints · 1 recall2016Caution33/100202 complaints · 3 recalls2015Avoid25/100309 complaints · 2 recalls2014Not rated–/10011 complaints · 3 recalls2013Not rated–/10022 complaints · 4 recalls2012Not rated–/10013 complaints · 4 recalls2011Best70/10047 complaints · 3 recalls2010Best78/10028 complaints · 3 recalls2009Not rated–/10024 complaints · 5 recalls2008Solid57/10069 complaints · 4 recalls2007Solid48/10097 complaints · 4 recalls2006Not rated–/10017 complaints · 2 recalls2005Best68/10042 complaints · 5 recalls2004Solid52/10087 complaints · 3 recalls2003Solid50/100102 complaints · 3 recalls2002Solid50/10095 complaints · 1 recall2001Solid44/100120 complaints · 4 recalls2000Solid56/10069 complaints · 6 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common GMC Yukon XL problems

All model years combined: 2,460 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine71311
Electrical system34321
Power train3188
Exterior lighting2870
Service brakes23725
Air bags19626
Fuel/propulsion system1112
Steering998
Engine and engine cooling974
29 other systems67757
54 recalls

GMC Yukon XL recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

64%Wheels: hub26V-304 · 2025–2026 · May 14, 2026 · 2,457 vehicles64%Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)26V-289 · 2018–2026 · May 7, 2026 · 66 vehiclesDo not drive74%Other: owners/service/other manual26V-114 · 2026 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles66%Control module: software26V-085 · 2022 · Feb 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles88%Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical25V-274 · 2021–2024 · Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles78%Control module: software24V-797 · 2021 · Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles91%Brake fluid low warning: lamp24V-674 · 2023–2024 · Sep 12, 2024 · 449,671 vehicles89%Suspension: rear23V-642 · 2023 · Sep 20, 2023 · 189 vehicles97%Lighting control module: software22V-903 · 2022–2023 · Dec 8, 2022 · 740,108 vehicles93%Lighting control module: software22V-827 · 2021 · Nov 3, 2022 · 338,735 vehicles90%Seat belts: critical fasteners22V-617 · 2021–2022 · Aug 11, 2022 · 484,155 vehicles88%Driveline: driveshaft22V-036 · 2021 · Jan 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 54 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

15 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Yukon XL

  1. Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyEA26005 · 2021–2026 · still open
    Open
  2. Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyRQ26001 · 2021–2024 · closed Aug 20, 2026
    No recall
  3. Loss of motive power due to engine failureEA25007 · 2021–2024 · still open
    Open
  4. Loss of motive power due to engine failurePE25001 · 2021–2024 · closed Oct 23, 2025
    Led to recall 25V-274
  5. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · 2007–2014 · still open
    Open
  6. Air Bag MalfunctionPE21010 · 2021 · closed Aug 24, 2023
    No recall
  7. Brake Vacuum Pump FailurePE18012 · 2015–2016 · closed Apr 10, 2022
    Led to recall 19V-645
  8. Interior Door Handle Laceration RiskEA10004 · 2007 · closed Jul 18, 2011
    No recall
  9. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · 2000–2003 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  10. UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATIONPE05020 · 2000–2002 · closed Sep 13, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-379