YearToAvoid

2023 GMC Yukon XL Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 16 Yukon XL years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 GMC Yukon XL ranks worst of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100, 216 complaints, and 4 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 73% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 44,000, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Yukon XL years.

Complaints
216
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
16.5
15 city / 19.5 hwy

Top 2023 GMC Yukon XL problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine157 (73%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain38 (18%)
  3. Electrical System36 (17%)
  4. Fuel System20 (9%)
  5. Other19 (9%)
  6. Brakes10 (5%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
  9. Steering4 (2%)
  10. Structure & Body4 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine shuts off unexpectedly at highway speeds, sometimes multiple times in one drive.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly shifts into neutral at speed and later refuses to shift into park or neutral.
  • Adaptive cruise control can be accidentally engaged in parking lots due to the design of the control switch.
  • Windshield wipers intermittently stop responding regardless of the setting selected.
  • Airbags have deployed without any collision, including window curtain and console airbags.
  • Parking sensors and rear braking assist stop working shortly after purchase.
2023 GMC Yukon XL complaints: complaints filed per month30Feb 2023Apr 2024Sep 2024Mar 2025Aug 2025Jan 2026Jun 2026
314 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (30).

2023 GMC Yukon XL recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

    Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

  2. NHTSA 24V674000Sep 12, 2024Brakes449,671 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.

  3. NHTSA 23V642000Sep 20, 2023Suspension, Wheels & Tires189 vehicles

    Suspension:rear

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.

    Risk: A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.

See all 4 recalls for the 2023 GMC Yukon XL →

2023 GMC Yukon XL fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
19.5 MPG
Combined
16.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Diesel
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.

2023 compared with other Yukon XL years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid932251216.5
2022Avoid80166416
2023Avoid100216416.5
2024Caution6770216.5
2025Caution5327116.5

All GMC Yukon XL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Yukon XL has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of all 16 model years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Yukon XL years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
Engine issues make up 73% of complaints, with 157 complaints and a median failure mileage of 44,000.
Does the 2023 GMC Yukon XL have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Yukon XL, covering the engine, brakes, suspension outer control arm bolts, and body control module software.
How does the 2023 Yukon XL compare to other model years?
It ranks 1st worst out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 100, worse than 2021 (93) and 2022 (80), which were also rated Avoid.

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.