Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% | 61,000 miles |
| 2016 | 84 | 42% | 52,000 miles |
| 2015 | 140 | 45% | 70,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 97,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 2% | 44,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% | 208,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% | 16,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
ChatGPT said: There is a design flaw with the automatic light function. When you turn the knob to disable the automatic lights to avoid blinding someone while parked, the knob returns to the auto position as expected. This is a good system to ensure that the next time you start the car, the lights are in auto again. The issue is with the way the system indicates what is happening to the driver. When the lights are set to auto, the "auto" indicator on the knob is illuminated. If you turn the knob to running lights or full lights, the corresponding indicator lights up as expected. However, when you turn the lights off, the indicator light returns to "auto" even though the lights are actually off. …
2024 gmc Yukon with less than 2,000 miles decided not to start one day. Had a tow truck come to the house and pick it up to take to a local shop to get a new battery. Replaced the battery and the battery shop delivered to car back to our house and was totally fine...the next day we went to start it and again the battery was toast. So, got another tow truck to deliver to the dealership and had it checked out, the dealership says there are 12 codes popping up and they can't figure out why the batteries are not holding at this point. This is a diesel Yukon. We had a 2022 Escalade that the motor went belly up on us 3 times before we bought this diesel Yukon thinking this problem would go away but I guess I was wrong. I will be returning this Yukon to the dealership and doing a buyback. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with her husband driving behind her, he noticed that the taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the taillight functions were inoperable. The contact was informed that the failure experienced was similar to the Special Coverage under N182180270. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of coverage. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 32,022.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that the passenger's side taillight was inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated he was following behind in another vehicle and noticed that the taillights were out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed exterior lighting assembly. The exterior lighting assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated he replaced the exterior lighting assembly three times since March 2022. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,554.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger's side taillight was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the front passenger's side headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,415.
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Yukon XL years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (140), 2016 (84) and 2017 (39) model years. Headlight complaints make up 45% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for GMC Yukon XL headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-903 (software, Dec 8, 2022); 22V-827 (software, Nov 3, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Yukon XL headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights (8 mentions), followed by the headlights (3).
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.