Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 GMC Yukon XL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed that the passenger rear tail light was inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the tail light unit needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,632.
At stop light vehicle began to sputter, run rough, and make noise. I was less than a mile from my home, no check engine light on. I turned the vehicle off, used a scanner to have codes P0106 and P0506 show. I had vehicle towed to Complete Car Care. Misfire on multiple cylinders, 3 push rods bent, one valve spring broken. The right Cylinder head assembly had to be removed and replaced with 8 new push rods, 8 new lifters, gaskets, seals, and valve spring. Total cost $3304.79, the vehicle only has 69,801 miles on it. In addition one of the rear tail lights has a known issue (found out on google), intermittently goes out, was never notified. I took the car to Jim Hudson GMC to be told it would cost $475 plus tax because I did not come in early enough even though it is to be warranted up to 70,000 miles. …
At stop light vehicle began to sputter and make noise, I was very close to my home, no engine light on. Upon turning vehicle off and using a code reader codes P0106 and P0506 was on scanner. I had vehicle towed to Complete Car Care. Mis fire on multiple cylinders. Vehicle has 69,801 miles. 3 push rods bent and I valve spring broken. The right Cylinder head assembly had to be removed and replaced with 8 new push rods, 8 new lifters, gaskets, seals, and valve spring. Cost was $3304.79. In addition the rear tail light has been sporadic on and off, GM was to replace up to 70,000 miles. When I took it to them they stated the time limit had expired, yet I had not been informed until I did a google search. GM requesting $475 plus tax. I am concerned my vehicle has the same manufacturing defects as the GM motors being recalled with total engine failures.
The daylight running light in the rear do not work, which is needed for night time driving. At night when parked or driving the rear is completely dark, except the license plate lights. When I press the brakes they turn on, the signal lights work even the reverse lights. I've switched them to manual mode still no luck. I've checked some fuses, they all check out, nothing blowen. From some research it's all conctrolled by the body control module. There are alot of cars with this same issue there should be a recall for gm to fix properly, dues to safety of the driver and public. We just bought this vehicle which, and didnt test drive at night. 3 days later we discovered it. We even bought new lights due to the number of complaints. They still don't work.
1) LED tail-lights fail intermittently - this is a known problem GM does not proactively address unless customers complain repeatedly. Puts driver and passenger in danger. this began happening at 25K miles. 2) AC condenser fails - GM will not address as part of a broader recall despite extensive late model customer complaints. This put passengers in danger on any road trip across desert terrain. GM has been unresponsive despite numerous calls asking for resolution. This occurred at 36k miles. 3) Electrical failings - numerous electrical failings - from entertainment system (at 10k miles), starter motor and internal lighting - all failing at 36k miles. NHTSA must take a look at these manufacturing defects - they are putting customers at risk!
I was stopped at a traffic light and was informed by another driver that my right tail lamp was not working. There were no warning lights indicating that there was a problem. When I arrived home, it began working after I tapped on it. A few days later, the left tail lamp stopped working. I began to realize that both tail lamps were only working intermittently. Upon inspection by the mechanic, I was informed that this is a common problem with my vehicle and that each replacement part is approximately $900, totaling nearly $2,000 to replace both lamps. This is an obvious safety hazard for myself and for others who may not be able to judge when I am stopping, especially if I have to stop suddenly.
Just driving along yesterday in my Yukon, and when I stopped another driver pulled up to me and informed me my right rear brake light is not working. Upon further investigation, it comes in and out (sometimes it works sometimes it does not). I had this same issue with my 2015 Yukon, I would have thought GM would have this fixed by now, very expensive fix on my 2015, assuming it's the same cost or close. Very dangerous to have a brake light out and reduce another drivers reaction time to stop and prevent a rear end collision. Furthermore the vehicle has no indication that a light or bulb is out, a lot of vehicles have that programming, surprisingly this does not.
One rear brake light was intermittently malfunctioning even though the vehicle only has 80,000 miles and is a 2017 model. Upon researching online, I saw that 2015 and 2016 models were recalled for this. 2017 was given a limited term to have the vehicle fixed IF they were experiencing the issue. I was not experiencing the issue at the time, so I was responsible for a large chunk of the cost of repairing the light through the dealer at GMC. GMC did inspect the vehicle. The company was made aware of the problem. The dealer discussed it with them and they agreed to pay half as a "favor" basically to have the rear light replaced.
drivers side tail light flickering and sometimes not working a $900+ cost! I issue with right hand side when suv has 32k miles, seems like this is an ongoing issue, luckily it was still under warranty the 1st time. The AC condenser when out in April, also an know issue with the Yukon, they wanted to charge me $1500 to repair, I was able to find someone to do it for around $600, now the outlet and usb ports seem to not work. I also had an issue with the braking system , dealer couldn't figure it out, I finally found someone to repair it, $500 fix. For what I paid for the Yukon, you would think they would use top of the line parts!
Passenger rear tail lamp/brake lamp failure. This is a known issue with GMC Yukon vehicles MY 2015-2019 with LED tail lamps. Metal within the lamp vibrates loose and cause the brake lamp to fail - thus resulting in no BRAKE Lamps illuminating at braking. This would be the second time this issue has occurred in 4 months, with the previous repair occurring rear drivers side and logged with NHTSA for this issue under 11436519. Opening this case as now the other side (passenger failed) with the EXACT same issue.
Headlight complaints in other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2017 GMC Yukon XL?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the lights of the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, 27% of the model year's 147 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Yukon XL headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 GMC Yukon XL headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
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.