2017 GMC Yukon XL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 GMC Yukon XL has a complaint index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 151 complaints led by electrical system issues (41%), with a median failure mileage of 54,498 and 1 recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Yukon XL years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 151
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2017 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System62 (41%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (25%)
- Engine30 (20%)
- Brakes26 (17%)
- Other22 (15%)
- Structure & Body6 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (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 reportedly goes hard or unresponsive, sometimes while reversing or stopping, leading to crashes into objects.
- Rear brake lights are described as intermittently failing without any warning light alerting the driver.
- Owners report the vehicle becoming completely unresponsive while parked, with inability to shift gears, open doors, or turn off the engine.
- A buffeting effect at highway speeds reportedly caused headaches and dizziness, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
- Water intrusion through the roof antenna assembly is described as soaking the headliner during rain.
- Driver seat frame reportedly broke in a rear-end collision, pushing the seat back and preventing airbag deployment.
2017 GMC Yukon XL recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V651000Sep 8, 2016Airbags3,640,162 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
2017 compared with other Yukon XL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 65 for the 2017 Yukon XL, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 8th worst among the 21 model years with available data, worse than years like 2013 and 2014 but better than 2015, 2016, and 2007.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2017 GMC Yukon XL?
- Electrical system complaints make up 41% of all reports, the largest share, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 25% and engine complaints at 20%.
- Does the 2017 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2017 Yukon XL, campaign 16V651000, covering an airbag control module software reflash. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2017 Yukon XL?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported complaints is 54,498 miles, though brake-related complaints in the sample data cluster around 49,200 to 70,000 miles.
- How does the 2017 Yukon XL compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 65, 2017 is worse than Best-rated years like 2012, 2013, and 2014, but not as troubled as Avoid-rated 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, or 2023.