GMC Yukon XL Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2023 GMC Yukon XL, which carry the highest complaint indexes (80–100) and the most reported problems, including 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 model. The 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years score lowest and rate Best.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Best 2010Best 2012Best 2013Best 2014
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,447
- Recall campaigns
- 45
- Crashes reported
- 65
- Fires reported
- 17
- Top problem area
- Engine
Yukon XL Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
GMC Yukon XL problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 25 | 100 | 6 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | 14 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 5 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 14 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 80 | 218 | 7 | 3 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 60 | 129 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 15 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 35 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 50 | 128 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 15 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 41 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 15 | — |
| 2013 | Best | 10 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 16.5 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 90 | 372 | 6 | 3 | 2 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 230 | 9 | 2 | 3 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 65 | 151 | 7 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 45 | 55 | 5 | 1 | 2 ! | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 55 | 67 | 4 | 0 | 2 ! | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 | Good | 30 | 47 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 95 | 225 | 2 | 1 | 12 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 85 | 166 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 100 | 216 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 70 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 16.5 | 5★ |
Yukon XL years to avoid: what went wrong
2023 GMC Yukon XL Index 100 · 216 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Yukon XL has the worst complaint index in the lineup at 100, from 216 complaints. Engine problems account for 73 percent of complaints, median failure mileage 44,000, with 13 injuries reported, the highest injury count of any year. Transmission and powertrain issues followed at 18 percent, and electrical system at 17 percent. Four recalls apply, covering engine inspection, brake control module software, and rear suspension control arm bolts.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2021 GMC Yukon XL Index 95 · 225 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2021 Yukon XL has a complaint index of 95, second-worst, on 225 complaints, and carries 12 recall campaigns, the most of any year. Engine problems make up 70 percent of complaints, median failure mileage 73,000. Transmission and powertrain issues followed at 21 percent, median 66,000 miles. Recalls cover engine inspection or replacement, transmission control module software, and daytime running lights that failed to deactivate.
2021 engine problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 fuel system problems →
2015 GMC Yukon XL Index 90 · 372 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2015 Yukon XL has a complaint index of 90 on 372 complaints, third-worst overall. Electrical system problems dominate at 60 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 66,500. Brakes followed at 18 percent, median 72,000 miles, and transmission and powertrain at 12 percent, median 61,750 miles. Owners described unexpected shifts to neutral on hills. Two recalls apply, covering seat belt software and airbag sensing diagnostic module reflashes.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2022 GMC Yukon XL Index 85 · 166 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Yukon XL posts a complaint index of 85 on 166 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 74 percent of complaints, median failure mileage 60,995. Transmission and powertrain issues followed at 18 percent, median 90,000 miles. Four recalls apply, including transmission control module software updates, engine inspection or replacement, and body control module software fixes.
2022 engine problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 electrical system problems →
2007 GMC Yukon XL Index 80 · 218 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 Yukon XL logged 218 complaints with a complaint index of 80, the fifth-worst of any year. Airbags were the top problem area, 43 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 98,000. Owners also reported structure and body issues at 84,000 miles median and engine problems at 103,000 miles median. Four recalls apply, including a passenger air bag inflator replacement campaign. Crash and injury counts were among the higher figures in the lineup, with 7 crashes and 30 injuries reported.
2007 airbags problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 engine problems →
2016 GMC Yukon XL Index 75 · 230 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2016 Yukon XL carries a complaint index of 75 across 230 complaints and includes one do-not-drive recall. Electrical system issues account for 52 percent of complaints, median 51,500 miles, followed by brakes at 18 percent and transmission and powertrain at 16 percent. Nine crashes were reported for this year, the most of any Yukon XL year in the dataset. Three recalls apply, including a suspension control arm replacement campaign marked do-not-drive.
2016 electrical system problems →2016 brakes problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common GMC Yukon XL problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine785 (32%)
- Electrical System615 (25%)
- Other342 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain322 (13%)
- Airbags317 (13%)
- Brakes260 (11%)
- Structure & Body199 (8%)
- Fuel System122 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires76 (3%)
- Steering65 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the GMC Yukon XL should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as the years to avoid, based on complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the lineup.
- What are the best GMC Yukon XL years?
- The 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes between 0 and 20, the lowest among all 21 covered model years.
- Is the 2015 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- The 2015 Yukon XL has a complaint index of 90, the third-worst of any year, with 372 complaints and electrical system issues making up 60 percent of them.
- Does the GMC Yukon XL have engine recalls?
- Yes. The 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years share a recall for the 6.2L V8 engine covering inspection, repair, or replacement, alongside separate transmission control module software recalls.
- What is the most common problem area across all Yukon XL years?
- Engine complaints lead overall with 785 complaints, 32 percent of the total 2,447 complaints logged across all 21 model years, followed by electrical system issues at 25 percent.