GMC Yukon XL Complaints (2018)

56 consumer complaints on file.

#11772719October 21, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving and the Engine light started blinking. the car started to lose power. i had to pull off the road. the blinking stopped and then i was able to get home. I had it towed to the dealership, where they told me this was a known issue with the AFM valve train system. this is a known issue and I was not made aware of it and continued to drive my car with my children inside of it. had i known, i could have had it assessed for the potential issue. But now, IT IS TOO LATE! I am now being told i need to pay $17,000 to replace my engine. something that could have been avoided if i had known to watch for any issue. but i was never warned. and now i have no car, still have car payment and no help from GM, GMC or anyone else. I know you cannot help me get this fixed, but maybe you can prevent this from happening to someone else.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771299October 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Body control Module failed causing the vehicle to lose all power. Battery shorted out to 6 volts. Required a tow.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770796October 13, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Replaced the transmission two times at about $14,000. Need a new motor with an estimated replacement of $10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764956September 17, 2026
ENGINE
Low Engine Oil Pressure with Engine making noise. Cut open oil filter and found excessive metal. Original Engine was replaced in January 2022 by Group 1 (former Beck and Masten GMC-North in Houston, TX) due to valve lifter failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752249July 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
transmission gave out while driving on the road at 50 mph
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744879June 17, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
transmission lifter problems like all other GMC 2018 YUKON XL CONTACTED GMC DEALER BACK JANUARY 20,2026 GOT TRANSMISSION FIXED MYSELF TRUCK AT JOE BULLARD DEALSHIP MOS 8DAYS THEY ARE TRYING TO CONTACT U FOR APPROVAL TO FIX HONOR YOUR PRODUCT PLEASE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741433June 1, 2026
ENGINE
On May 27, 2026 at around 7:30pm my 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali engined failed. I was exiting E-470 southwest bound at Gartrell Road in Aurora and the engine started knocking loudly and completely quit. As I rolled to a stop I correctly suspected that the engine seized. It would not turn over, a bad odor was present, and smoke was coming from the top of the motor. It was hard to tell exactly from where because of high wind. All belts looked fine and the Castle Rock GMC dealer I had it towed to later confirmed that the engine is seized. Fortunately I was approaching the stop light and not towing anything so the safety risk from loss of power steering and power brakes was lower than normal highway driving speeds a few seconds earlier.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739730May 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle keep jerking in and out of gear the issue almost made me crash due to the harsh conditions Took to repair they stated this is a known problem. That is what worries me now
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732026April 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The back hatch would not open while the car was on and in park. Upon reaching in without being in the car, we turned it off, and it engaged reverse on its own, causing it to reverse immediately almost causing terminal harm to myself and my family. It careened into the woods with us unable to stop it due to the immediate speed. No one was in the vehicle, it was solely self propelled. We have a video of the path it took and the damage it caused. When the car wrecked, even when turned off, the lights and windshields wipers engaged by themselves.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730763April 13, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Seat belts do not lock in place causing our infant and child's seats to not be locked in place and tip over The potential risk to a child is extremely high Potentially causing death of a child
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726504March 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
After pressing the brake pedal 2 or 3 times the pedal becomes very hard and it is extremely hard to stop the vehicle. All new brake pads and rotors. The brake pedal is loosing vacuum.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717928February 13, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and while the vehicle was idling, the engine was running rough. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. While driving to the dealer, the vehicle hesitated, while driving and the vehicle drove roughly. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camshaft and lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708459January 2, 2026
ENGINE
We have a 2018 Yukon with a 6.2. It has 70,000 miles on it. We have taken very good care of it and changed the mobil oil less than 5,000 mile intervals. The engine is making a terrible knocking noise. We stopped driving it the minute it started. We put it on a trailer and pulled it home and it has not been started since then. We had no warning lamps or messages to alert us of an issue. We have not had it to a dealership yet to have it inspected as we are pretty sure it is the same issue that other 6.2 engine vehicles are having. This vehicle has been well maintained. We are hoping that this year/make/model will be included in the recall for a new engine as that is what ours will be needing. It is very disheartening that you spend that much money on a brand-new vehicle, and it does not have very many miles on it and the engine fails.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701535November 25, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle is experiencing symptoms consistent with the brake vacuum pump failure described in GM Special Coverage Adjustment N182202780, which applies to full-size GM SUVs in this model range. The symptoms include a hard brake pedal upon startup, reduced brake assist, increased stopping distance, and audible vacuum or mechanical cycling noise when the vehicle powers on. This malfunction affects the vehicle’s braking performance and requires significantly increased pedal force, especially during initial operation or low-speed braking. This results in delayed braking response and reduced stopping capability, creating a safety hazard to occupants and others on the roadway. Although the symptoms match the defect described in the bulletin and the vehicle is within the published 10-year/150,000-mile coverage parameters, multiple authorized dealerships and GM corporate have refused to perform a diagnostic or repair because the VIN does not appear in their internal eligibility system. GM Customer Care case number 82474826 documents these interactions. No diagnostic evaluation has occurred because the manufacturer and dealers declined to perform one unless the VIN is pre-flagged, regardless of symptoms. No warning lights or dashboard alerts accompanied the failure. The condition began gradually and has become more noticeable over time. I am concerned that other vehicles experiencing the same defect may also be excluded from inspection or repair due to VIN list limitations, despite meeting the published program criteria.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696789October 31, 2025
ENGINE
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine (6.2L L87 V8) failed completely. The engine experienced knocking and rattling noises prior to the failure and then stopped functioning altogether while driving. The engine was replaced by Village Auto in Bellmore, and the failed engine is no longer available for inspection, as it was removed and replaced during the repair process. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle suddenly started shaking and could not be driven. This posed a serious safety risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers on the road due to the loss of engine power, steering, and acceleration control in traffic conditions. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was confirmed by an independent service center, Village Auto in Bellmore, which diagnosed the engine as irreparably damaged and requiring a full replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was not inspected by General Motors, police, or insurance representatives. Insurance would not cover this issue and General Motors failed to take responsibility for a fault in the engine. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No - all happened at once - engine light and complete failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695148October 22, 2025
ENGINE
Took the car to the dealer after getting alert from my GMC app saying it needed emission serviced, engine light came on, antilock brakes needing serviced. The dealership said that the engine is blown at just over 71200 miles. This car has only had service done at the dealership except for a tire change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663411May 28, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing. Additionally, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood, and the hood was shaking. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to Village Auto, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Village Auto contacted an unknown dealer. The contact later became aware of NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling), which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was not included in a recall and due to the mileage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660917May 14, 2025
ENGINE, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2018 Yukon Denali engine failed June 2024 due to the lifter being bent. The dealership Richey Cadillac in Daytona Beach estimated the repairs at $18,862 and were going to have my vehicle for months. I took it to my mechanic who rebuilt the engine for $7181 in 30 days. My safety was placed at risk because while driving I had to pull over since I had no control with the engine failure. There were no messages prior to the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652484April 3, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the same diagnostic result was provided to the contact. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643967February 20, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
2018 Yukon XL: Safety of family put at risk over faulty transmission. Vehicle used to transport children many times daily. Transmission began slipping with slight lagging. Vehicle assessed by independent service center and we as customers told this is a common issue with GMC vehicles of this year. Service center was able to reproduce and confirm the issue. Total to rebuild entire transmission was $7,377.33. Total transmission failure. Entire transmission had to be replaced at tremendous expense to our family. Transmission began slipping with slight lagging. Engine RPM's would increase with no additional power or speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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