Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dashboard is severely cracked & rattles so badly that it interferes with hearing outside & inside noises & communication. Has gotten worse over past year. Dealer confirmed that the problem was prevalent among several GM models, including my model. I was also told that a class action suit was filed against GMC for this problem, but was dismissed by judicial system.
My family's 2008 GMC Yukon has a cracking dashboard cover. This problem started earlier around 100,000 miles but now there is one large crack and one smaller crack above the portion of the dashboard where the instrument cluster is located. I am concerned that eventually this whole portion of the dashboard cover May crack and fall into the dashboard which could possibly affect electrical components located within the dashboard. Also I have noticed some signs of a crack forming next to the passenger side airbag cover. At any point while driving the vehicle I can hear the dashboard cracking and popping loudly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. While the vehicle was parked, the exterior driver side door handle detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the door handle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred with the rear driver side and front passenger side exterior handles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 09/03/15 updated 10/25/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that a crack developed on the dashboard near the driver side air bag. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and fractured in the middle. Also, the air bag and tire pressure monitoring system warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the dashboard and air bag compartment were cracked. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Cracked dashboard, deeply concerned about airbag safety if deployed due to proximity to crack and sharp edges adjacent to the passenger airbag. Door handles falling off, even after replacement. Fear of unlawful entry into car. GM unwilling to correct substandard parts.
Plastic dashboard is cracking. GMC dealer quoted a $1,000.00 replacement cost. Dealer proposed my cost would be $600.00. Same dealer replaced cracked dashboard once before at no cost to me. This certainly appears to be a manufacturer's defect but dealer disagrees.
2008 Yukon dash beginning to crack over instrument panel and in corner of passenger airbag.worried that this May have an effect on my airbag operation.have been trying to get it repaired but all dealerships say the are always backordered.
Crack forming on dashboard near left corner of airbag. My denali is always parked in a garage and I started noticing it last month. I've seen other people post their dashboard pics with the same crack.
Body complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 GMC Yukon, 14% of the model year's 245 complaints. The component named most often is body (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 GMC Yukon body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2008 GMC Yukon, though it has 4 recalls 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 2008 GMC Yukon body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.