2006 GMC Yukon XL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 GMC Yukon XL has a complaint index of 5, ranking 20th of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict (capped due to less complete records for 2005-2009). NHTSA lists 33 complaints, 2 recalls, and brakes as the top problem area with 18 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Yukon XL years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 33
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 13 city / 17 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes18 (55%)
- Engine9 (27%)
- Electrical System3 (9%)
- Fuel System3 (9%)
- Other3 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal drops to the floor with little warning, sometimes tied to corroded or leaking brake lines.
- Brake failures have recurred multiple times on the same vehicle even after repairs.
- Traction control light comes on with the gas pedal becoming unresponsive during acceleration at low speed.
- Instrument panel cluster resets and fails repeatedly, requiring multiple replacements.
- Exhaust manifold leaks develop alongside check engine light triggered by a gas cap fault code.
- Fuel lines to the fuel pump deteriorate and leak fuel near the exhaust system.
2006 GMC Yukon XL recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V289000Aug 3, 2006Engine38,439 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
- NHTSA 05V552000Dec 7, 2005Other32,068 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, hummer at 1-800-732-5493, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
2006 GMC Yukon XL fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 model has a complaint index of 5, the second-lowest among 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 GMC Yukon XL?
- Brakes account for 55% of complaints (18 of 33), followed by engine issues at 27% (9 complaints). Brake problems had a median failure mileage of 104,384 miles.
- Does the 2006 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for 2006: one for a fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip on 8.1L V8 engines, and one for incorrect tire and loading information labels.
- Why is the 2006 GMC Yukon XL verdict capped to Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped to Good because complaint records for model years 2005-2009 are considered less complete, despite a low complaint index of 5.
- How does 2006 compare to other Yukon XL years?
- 2006 ranks 20th worst out of 21 years, meaning only one year has fewer reported problems; by contrast, 2015 and 2023 rank as Avoid years with complaint indexes of 90 and 100.