2023 GMC Yukon XL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2023 GMC Yukon XL has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any year in the model's 21-year history, and ranks worst overall (rank 1). It carries 216 complaints, 4 recalls, and an Avoid verdict, with Engine problems making up 73% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Yukon XL years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 216
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 15 city / 19.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2023 GMC Yukon XL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine157 (73%)
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (18%)
- Electrical System36 (17%)
- Fuel System20 (9%)
- Other19 (9%)
- Brakes10 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
- Steering4 (2%)
- Structure & Body4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine shuts off unexpectedly at highway speeds, sometimes multiple times in one drive, with the steering column locking and brakes failing to respond.
- Vehicle can shift into neutral or fail to re-engage drive while moving at speed, leaving the driver unable to accelerate.
- Adaptive cruise control can be engaged unintentionally in parking lots due to the stalk design, creating unexpected acceleration risk.
- Front collision system has failed to detect obstacles, in one case allowing the vehicle to strike a fence and tree without warning or airbag deployment.
- Windshield wipers intermittently stop working with no clear trigger, even after switching settings.
- Airbags have deployed without any collision, and separately a Service SRS warning has appeared with no repair available at the time.
2023 GMC Yukon XL recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
- Compared to other Yukon XL model years, 2023 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 216 owner complaints, most involving the Engine.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
- Engine problems dominate, accounting for 73% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 44,000 miles.
- Does the 2023 GMC Yukon XL have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Yukon XL, covering the engine, electronic brake control module, and rear suspension outer control arm bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2023 Yukon XL compare to other years?
- It has the highest complaint index (100) and worst rank (1) among all 21 model years covered, worse than 2021 (95) and 2015 (90).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 GMC Yukon XL?
- EPA rates it at 16.5 mpg combined (15 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.