GMC Yukon XL years to avoid (and the best years)
1,659 NHTSA owner complaints and 34 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,659complaints
- 34recalls
- 42reported crashes
- 9reported fires
- 54reported injuries
Which GMC Yukon XL years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the GMC Yukon XL years to avoid are 2015, 2021, 2023 and 2016. The typical GMC Yukon XL year has 53 complaints on file.
- 2015: 306 complaints, 5.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the exterior lighting (46% of complaints) and the brakes (21% of complaints).
- 2021: 220 complaints, 4.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (70% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (21% of complaints).
- 2023: 212 complaints, 4.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (72% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (18% of complaints).
- 2016: 200 complaints, 3.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the exterior lighting (42% of complaints) and the brakes (20% of complaints).
What are the best GMC Yukon XL years?
The GMC Yukon XL years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2014 (11), 2012 (13) and 2013 (22). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 0.6× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2025 | 21 | 0.4× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2024 | 70 | 1.3× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2023 | 212 | 4.0× | 4 | 2 | 13 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2022 | 164 | 3.1× | 4 | 3 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2021 | 220 | 4.2× | 12 | 2 | 5 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2020 | 46 | 0.9× | 2 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 67 | 1.3× | 2 | 4 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 53 | 1.0× | 2 | 5 | 8 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 147 | 2.8× | 1 | 7 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 200 | 3.8× | 3 | 7 | 3 | Approach with caution | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 | 306 | 5.8× | 2 | 6 | 5 | Approach with caution | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 | 11 | 0.2× | 3 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2013 | 22 | 0.4× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Body and structure |
| 2012 | 13 | 0.2× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 47 | 0.9× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 28 | 0.5× | 3 | 1 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 842 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain625 (74%)
- Electrical & infotainment58 (7%)
- Airbags & seat belts51 (6%)
- Other systems39 (5%)
- Structure & body30 (4%)
Recalls (34)
Safety · 26V304000 · May 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 26V289000 · May 2026 · model years 2018, 2019, 2026
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V114000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2026
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 26V085000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2022
Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 25V274000 · Apr 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 24V797000 · Oct 2024 · model year 2021
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 24V674000 · Sep 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 23V642000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V903000 · Dec 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V827000 · Nov 2022 · model year 2021
Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 22V617000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Transmission · 22V036000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2021
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V739000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2021
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V455000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2021
Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V421000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2021
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 21V190000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Tires · 21V115000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2020
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V050000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V053000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V054000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V051000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 20V811000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 20V792000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 20V735000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Fuel system · 19V837000 · Nov 2019 · model year 2020
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Seat belts · 18V673000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V437000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Airbags · 16V651000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Suspension · 16V256000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V827000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2011, 2012
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Electrical system · 14V614000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 13V342000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2014
Loose caliper bolts may cause reduced braking performance and result in lengthened stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 13V001000 · Jan 2013 · model year 2013
As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Steering · 12V112000 · Mar 2012 · model year 2012
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.