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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver's and passenger's side taillights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact called the dealer about the failure and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle associated with the failure. The contact was also informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the passenger's side rear taillight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the full assembly light kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while using the remote start-up feature, he noticed that the rear passenger's side brake light and taillight were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the taillight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,169.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed however, the passenger's side rear taillight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,570.
I purchased a 2017 GMC Yukon Denali brand new off the showroom floor. I have maintained the services thru GMC dealership. I had to replace the struts and rear and front shocks due to hydraulic system leaking and locking up my brakes and causing extra pressure on my braking system to stop my vehicle. This cost me over $5000 to replace out of my pocket and I saw there was a previous recall in 2019 for similar problem but i was told my issues were not covered under the recall. I have also had to replace both taillights within 2years of purchasing my brand new vehicle and now they are out again. This will be my second time having to replace the LED tail lights that cost over $375 light which were stated as never go out of lifetime guarantee. You cannot just replace the bulb you have to replace the whole tail light which takes weeks to come in and then additional labor costs. The previous
Rear (Tail/Stop) lights on both sides, would work intermittently. Turns out it's a known issue with the LED circuit boards. They consistently break in 2 places, leaving the vehicle with no tail lights/stip lights. GM knows of the issue , but since it's NOT CONSIDERED a Safety Issue, they do nothing. It's clearly a safety issue, as following drivers may not see lights, on the rear. Clearly, it is definitely a safety issue, as it can easily cause an accident, not knowing a car is there in the dark , or not knowing that the vehicle in front of them is on the brakes, and slowing.
Rear LED taillights circuit boards broken. Disabling both Stop tail lights causing serious safety hazard. We had no clue driving around and we didn't have any brake lights another driver had to tell us. So we googled this problem and it turns out that all of 2017 GMC Yukon have the same issue. There's even multiple websites to repair them as well as auto supply stores selling replacements for $1,000 and the dealership wants $1,500. This is a real problem and GM needs to make this right and recall all of these and replace them before somebody gets hurt if they haven't already.
LED taillights have both gone out. One was replaced by a "service bulliten" and it didn't cost us. The other recently went out at approx 80k miles. These are supposed to last the life of the vehicle. Replacement cost is $750. After doing research, there is a recall for 2015-2016 GMC Yukon taillights that are the exact same product. I contacted GMC and they refuse to replace the known defect part. This is going to cause someone to get seriously hurt. They know the part is defective or they wouldn't have had a recall on the 2015-2016 models.
Taillights and Brake light LEDs go out unexpectedly or work intermittently creating a safety hazard that drivers behind the Yukon are unable to see your taillights at night or when your braking causing Potential rear end collisions. For this common problem GM recalled the taillights of 2015-16 models, but the 2017+ models that still have the same exact taillights with the same issue but has not been recalled yet. Costing owners out of warranty $800 per taillight assembly. Please look into this safety issue.
We noticed the passenger side taillight was out. It's not a simple bulb replacement but an entire assembly. It was put back in place and it lit up again. A few weeks later it wasn't working. Pounded and tapped on it and it works again. We're guessing there is some sort of short so we asked for an estimate on getting an assembly replacement when it was in for a regular oil change. Shocked that a necessary part would cost $1,112.77!!! Whatever happened to changing a bulb for a few dollars?
Headlight complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2017 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the lights of the 2017 GMC Yukon, 24% of the model year's 208 complaints. The component named most often is tail lights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Yukon headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2017 GMC Yukon, though it has 3 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 2017 GMC Yukon headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.