GMC Yukon XL Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Yukon XL model year from 2000–2026 using 2,514 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 55 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2023, 2022, 2021, 2015 and 2024, which drew far more complaints than other Yukon XL years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2012 and 2013.

27model years
2,514complaints
55recalls
2023, 2022worst years
2014, 2012best years

Complaints by model year

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26691421211348742179769232847132211308201147556847229173225732838
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Yukon XL. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20263812.0×3EngineCaution
2025286.0×1EngineCaution
2024737.3×2EngineAvoid
202322514.2×4EngineAvoid
20221739.7×4EngineAvoid
20212298.9×12EngineAvoid
2020471.5×2EngineCaution
2019682.2×2EngineAvoid
2018551.9×2EngineCaution
20171474.2×1HeadlightAvoid
20162015.3×3HeadlightAvoid
20153087.9×2HeadlightAvoid
201411−71%3AirbagGood
201322−42%4BodyGood
201213−63%4AirbagGood
201147typical3AirbagAverage
201028−50%3AirbagGood
200923−58%5AirbagGood
200869−37%4AirbagAverage
200797−45%4AirbagGood
200617−76%2Traction ControlGood
200542typical5ElectricalAverage
2004872.1×3ElectricalAvoid
20031343.0×3ElectricalAvoid
20021212.8×1BrakeAvoid
20011423.3×5BrakeAvoid
2000691.9×6BrakeCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Yukon XL year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common GMC Yukon XL problems

Latest GMC Yukon XL recalls

Wheels › Hub

NHTSA recall 26V-304 · May 14, 2026 · 2,457 vehicles

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 24-inch wheels. Incorrect bolts may have been installed on the left and right front wheel hubs, which can result in the bolts loosening or deforming over time.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026.

Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)

NHTSA recall 26V-289 · May 7, 2026 · 66 vehiclesDo not drive

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

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…

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.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body

NHTSA recall 26V-085 · Feb 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles

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.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 25V-274 · Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles

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.

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…

All 55 GMC Yukon XL recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Yukon XL should you avoid?

2023, 2022, 2021, 2015, 2024 and 2025 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Yukon XL years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2023.

What is the best year for the GMC Yukon XL?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Yukon XL years at the same age, followed by 2012 and 2013. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common GMC Yukon XL problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (794), brakes (406) and electrical system (355). Engine complaints peak in the 2023 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Yukon XL had?

55 recalls across 2000–2026. The model year with the most is 2021. See all GMC Yukon XL recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.