Most common 2006 GMC Yukon problems
Share of the 48 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon complaints by model year
Best Yukon years: 2014, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →
2006 GMC Yukon recalls (2)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on March 31, 2006.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
What 2006 GMC Yukon owners say
Engine & cooling
My vehicle was in motion driving on the freeway at 70 MPH when all of the sudden my car lost power to 30 MPH all the way down to 5 MPH.I pressed on the accelerator trying to gain speed without success the car did not accelerate more than 30 MPH, no matter how much I pressed on the accelerator. When I looked down at the dashboard I saw two warning lights go off "stability sys disabled" followed by "reduced engine power" luckily I was able to move to safety. The road was dry and no bumps to disable stability. The traction control in this vehicle is located far from my steering wheel so I know I did not accidently hit the traction control by accident. After I was able to pull over I was advised to hit the traction control button to see if that would fix the error in the dash. That did not work. I immediately took it to the dealer concern for my safety and that of my family. …
In December 2010 the camshaft in the 5.3l GM engine reportedly delaminated causing one or more lifters to gall and fail requiring a new engine. I purchased a factory 5.3l engine from a GM dealer and had that installed by a certified mechanic with the assurance of a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. 28 August my wife told me the engine was noisy. On starting the engine it was obvious that oil was not pumping through the lifters. I took the truck to the dealer on the 29th for diagnosis. On 30 August they concluded that the engine needed to be replaced. Subsequent investigation confirmed that the engine was shipped with faulty castech heads that caused coolant to seep into the oil. The engine was replaced under warranty. I would like, if it is the job of the NHTSA, to have the 5.3l engine recalled.
Locks & latches
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 GMC Yukon denali. The contact stated that the rear liftgate would not open. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic advised that the plastic housing around the cable that controlled the rear liftgate mechanism was melted. The technician stated that the latch mechanism part would have to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The rear liftgate will not unlock or open & rear liftgate window will not unlock or open. This is a significant safety hazard for persons traveling in vehicle, as there would not be any means to exit the rear of the vehicle via the rear liftgate or rear liftgate window in an emergency (especially for my children who sit in the 3rd row of seats) all 4 standard doors still lock/unlock both manually and with the remote clicker, however, the rear liftgate no longer unlocks or opens manually or with the remote clicker. This design defect of the rear liftgate and rear liftgate window on the GMC Yukon is a serious hazard to the safety of passengers. …
Stability & traction control
The first time this happened I was driving at approx. 45 MPH on secondary road when all lights dimmed and the vehicle power went down to almost nothing. The power steering and brakes went out and I had to pull off of the highway. I turned the ignition off and waited a few minutes, then re-started which seemed to have re-set things. It ran OK to my destination. But since then (a year or so) it bogs down when starting out from idle such as a traffic light, and the lights dim. At the same time, it makes a grinding sound as if from the brakes and the brake peddle becomes stiff as though it is trying to offset my braking. When this happens the stability indicator states "traction active". Once the vehicle is moving again, it will go off and the vehicle will act normally. I discovered that manually over-riding the traction (shutting it off), it eliminates the hesitation. …
When I am starting out or turning a corner the vehicle will intermittently bog down. This has been going on for about 5-6 years. I had taken it to a dealership in columbus ohio when it first happened and they told me it was a problem in the steering column but not covered under warranty or recall. It was going to cost me $300 to have fixed. This sounds very similar to the two complaints made 1/11/2010 NHTSA id#10299018 and 9/21/2015 NHTSA id#10766680. This has something to do with the stabilitrak system. This is a very dangerous situation and should have been fixed by a dealership no questions asked. I just disconnect it at the dash and put up with the yellow warning light. For a GM vehicle that listed for $58,735 11 years ago I am very disappointed with GM. …
2006 GMC Yukon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 GMC Yukon a good car?
Based on 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Yukon rates better than average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Yukon at the same age. 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 2006 GMC Yukon?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the locks & latches (7) and stability & traction control (6).
How many recalls does the 2006 GMC Yukon have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2006 GMC Yukon, the most recent from December 7, 2005 (labels). 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 GMC Yukon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 24% 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.