YearToAvoid

2020 GMC Yukon XL Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2020 GMC Yukon XL, 55% of all 47 complaints filed for this model year, with a median failure mileage of 70,000. No engine recall is currently listed for the 2020 model, though owners note related recalls exist on 2021-25 6.2L engines.

Engine complaints
26
55% of 47
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
70,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power or stalling while driving at highway or low speed, sometimes with no warning light.
  • Rattling or knocking noise from under the hood followed by loss of acceleration.
  • Low oil pressure warnings displayed on the dash shortly before the engine shut down.
  • Reports describing lifter, camshaft, and rod damage consistent with 6.2L engine failures seen on later model years.
  • Complete engine failure requiring replacement, in one case after the vehicle was towed and diagnosed at a dealer.
  • One report of fire associated with an engine stall on a highway exit ramp.

When 2020 GMC Yukon XL engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 2, 2020, latest Jul 12, 2026.

2020 GMC Yukon XL engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2020Aug 2024May 2025Sep 2025Dec 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2020 to Jul 2026; peak Apr 2025 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2020 GMC Yukon XL

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Yukon XL model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200514 (14%)
  2. 20069 (27%)
  3. 200732 (15%)
  4. 200810 (8%)
  5. 20098 (14%)
  6. 20105 (8%)
  7. 20117 (5%)
  8. 20124 (10%)
  9. 20132 (6%)
  10. 20141 (6%)
  11. 201537 (10%)
  12. 201632 (14%)
  13. 201730 (20%)
  14. 201816 (29%)
  15. 201939 (58%)
  16. 202026 (55%)
  17. 2021157 (70%)
  18. 2022123 (74%)
  19. 2023157 (73%)
  20. 202459 (84%)
  21. 202517 (63%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2020 GMC Yukon XL have?
NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2020 Yukon XL, which is 55% of all 47 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 GMC Yukon XL engine?
No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for the 2020 model year. Owner complaints reference a 6.2L engine recall covering 2021-25 models, but not 2020.
At what mileage do engine problems usually show up on the 2020 Yukon XL?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2020 Yukon XL is 70,000 miles.
Are engine complaints worse for the 2020 Yukon XL than other years?
The 2020 model's engine share of 55% is lower than the 2021 (70%), 2022 (74%), 2023 (73%), and 2024 (84%) model years, but higher than most years before 2019.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.