2025 GMC Yukon XL Problems & Complaints

Use caution6.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon XL at the same age

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2025 GMC Yukon XL with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 6.0× as many as a typical Yukon XL model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (17 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

28complaints
1recalls
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2025 GMC Yukon XL problems

  • Engine & cooling~34,000 miles
    1761%
  • Electrical system
    621%
  • Driver assistance
    621%
  • Brakes
    518%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    27%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    27%
  • Other / not specified
    14%
  • Wheels & tires
    14%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    14%
  • Seats~55,000 miles
    14%
  • Steering
    14%

Share of the 28 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

GMC Yukon XL 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).

Best Yukon XL years: 2014, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2015, 2024. Compare all years →

2025 GMC Yukon XL recalls (1)

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2025 GMC Yukon XL:

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

NHTSA investigation EA26005 · opened Aug 20, 2026 · open

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.

What 2025 GMC Yukon XL owners say

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was a tapping sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated and then turned off. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the tapping sound was louder and more persistent. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while out of state. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 33,500.

34,000 miles · Oct 2026

The contact owns a 2025 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a catastrophic engine failure caused by the thrust bearing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 25-NA-307; as a possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 16,184.

16,000 miles · Aug 2026

Electrical system

Vehicle Status: Brand New Current Mileage: Approximately 10,000 miles Incident Description On 1/8/26, while operating the vehicle on the interstate at highway speeds with cruise control engaged, the Check Engine light began to flash. Simultaneously, the vehicle's warning system issued an alert stating that the engine oil was excessively hot. Immediately after these warnings, the engine began to emit a loud knocking sound and lost all power, shutting off completely while in motion. I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. Post-Failure Observations Upon inspection under the hood, I noted the engine was radiating extreme heat. I allowed the engine to cool completely before attempting a restart. While the engine attempted to turn over, it failed to start. …

Jan 2026

The car was purchased on 8/15/2026. On November 6th 2026 with 3051 miles on all the gauges, electronic dashboard, gps , climate controls, heads up display failed while car was in driving. There was no way to tell what speed the car was going, the gas level, rpms, engine temperature, etc. Navigation failed, Cruise control failed, I was unsure if the emergency braking system failed. The dealership responded there was over 27 error codes on the car computer. There was no way of knowing if the signal lights were working. There was no prior warning to this failure. The GMC service department at the dealership confirmed the failure and said it needed to replace the radio control module. It took 70 calendar days for a replacement module to be provided, and a new software patch was uploaded after several attempts. …

Nov 2025

Driver assistance

On August 9th at 5:30PM roughly, while attempting to park using the vehicle's Park Assist feature, the system failed to function properly-specifically, it failed to detect a pole at the rear of a parking space, did not slow or brake the vehicle, and was not even aware it would contact the pole. It then collided with the pole. Also, intermittently the forward collision alert system either does not alert for similar circumstances as it just previously did. Seem untrustworthy. Scary. GM's product allegation team (PAC) had all of the necessary information to show the system does not work 100% of the time (I have it all on video and submitted that) and they denied my claim and refused to admit a system failure even when given the videos showing the park assist failing to engage properly ON VIDEO.

Warnings · Aug 2025 · crash

The car was purchased on 8/15/2026. On November 6th 2026 with 3051 miles on all the gauges, electronic dashboard, gps , climate controls, heads up display failed while car was in driving. There was no way to tell what speed the car was going, the gas level, rpms, engine temperature, etc. Navigation failed, Cruise control failed, I was unsure if the emergency braking system failed. The dealership responded there was over 27 error codes on the car computer. There was no way of knowing if the signal lights were working. There was no prior warning to this failure. The GMC service department at the dealership confirmed the failure and said it needed to replace the radio control module. It took 70 calendar days for a replacement module to be provided, and a new software patch was uploaded after several attempts. …

Adaptive cruise control · Nov 2025

2025 GMC Yukon XL engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel10-speed automaticRWD21 / 26 / 23
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel10-speed automatic4WD20 / 26 / 22
5.3L 8-cyl10-speed automaticRWD15 / 20 / 17
6.2L 8-cyl10-speed automaticRWD15 / 19 / 16
6.2L 8-cyl10-speed automatic4WD14 / 18 / 16
5.3L 8-cyl10-speed automatic4WD14 / 19 / 16

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 GMC Yukon XL a good car?

Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Yukon XL rates use caution: 6.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon XL at the same age. It is one of the Yukon XL years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2025 GMC Yukon XL?

The engine & cooling — 17 complaints, 61% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (6) and driver assistance (6).

How many recalls does the 2025 GMC Yukon XL have?

There is 1 recall for the 2025 GMC Yukon XL, the most recent from May 14, 2026 (hub). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the GMC Yukon XL?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2015 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon XL years comparison.

At what mileage do 2025 GMC Yukon XL problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 34,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.