GMC Yukon Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
GMC Yukon years to avoid are 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023 and 2024, each with a complaint index of 75 or higher. The best years, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, are 2012 and 2014, both with a complaint index under 20.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Best 2012Best 2014
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,985
- Recall campaigns
- 54
- Crashes reported
- 89
- Fires reported
- 31
- Top problem area
- Engine
Yukon Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
GMC Yukon problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 30 | 134 | 7 | 6 | 3 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 48 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 548 | 20 | 6 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 55 | 245 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 45 | 140 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 40 | 158 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 65 | 254 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 91 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 35 | 146 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 10 | 56 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 90 | 602 | 11 | 4 | 10 | Electrical System | 17.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 285 | 5 | 0 | 5 ! | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 208 | 10 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 25 | 71 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 20 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 2 ! | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 5 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 4 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 100 | 329 | 9 | 0 | 13 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 70 | 179 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 85 | 239 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 80 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 50 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
Yukon years to avoid: what went wrong
2021 GMC Yukon Index 100 · 329 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2021 Yukon has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks 1st worst. Engine problems make up 64 percent of complaints at a median 81,000 miles; owners described sudden loss of power and unexpected engine shutdowns. Fuel system issues account for 17 percent. NHTSA lists 13 recalls, the most of any Yukon year, covering engine inspection, transmission control module software, and daytime running light defects. Owners also reported unintended vehicle movement after shifting gears.
2021 engine problems →2021 fuel system problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →
2007 GMC Yukon Index 95 · 548 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 Yukon has a complaint index of 95 and ranks 2nd worst of all years. Airbags account for 47 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage around 101,000 miles; owners reported non-deploying airbags in crashes and seat components moving out of position on impact. Structure and body complaints follow at 21 percent. NHTSA lists four recalls covering airbag inflators and an electrical washer-fluid module. Some owners also described engine bay fires occurring while the vehicle was parked.
2007 airbags problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 engine problems →
2015 GMC Yukon Index 90 · 602 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2015 Yukon carries a complaint index of 90 and ranks 3rd worst. Electrical system problems dominate at 60 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles; owners described unexpected stalling while reversing and driving. Brakes make up 16 percent of complaints. NHTSA lists 10 recalls, including brake control module reprogramming and electric power steering software updates. Owners also reported axle and steering failures leading to crashes.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2023 GMC Yukon Index 85 · 239 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Yukon has a complaint index of 85 and ranks 4th worst. Engine problems dominate at 72 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 35,000 miles; owners described sudden stalling and loss of power at stops and low speeds. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 18 percent. NHTSA lists four recalls, including engine inspection and suspension control arm bolt replacement. Some owners also reported forward collision sensors misjudging distances.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2024 GMC Yukon Index 80 · 104 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 Yukon has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst. Engine complaints are the largest share at 80 percent, with a median failure mileage of 21,116 miles; owners described complete engine failure at highway speeds with no dashboard warning, sometimes requiring engine replacement. Electrical system complaints follow at 17 percent, including intermittent audio and camera warning glitches. NHTSA lists three recalls covering fuel tank inspection and engine inspection.
2016 GMC Yukon Index 75 · 285 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2016 Yukon has a complaint index of 75 and includes a do-not-drive recall. Electrical system issues make up 52 percent of complaints at a median 52,000 miles, with owners reporting brake pedals traveling to the floor and needing to be pumped to stop the vehicle. Brakes account for another 20 percent of complaints. Five recalls are listed, including brake control module and seat belt software fixes. Airbag non-deployment during crashes was also reported.
2016 electrical system problems →2016 brakes problems →2016 engine problems →
Most common GMC Yukon problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine992 (25%)
- Electrical System904 (23%)
- Airbags749 (19%)
- Other705 (18%)
- Structure & Body437 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain415 (10%)
- Brakes388 (10%)
- Fuel System193 (5%)
- Steering128 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires121 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What GMC Yukon years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023, and 2024 as years to avoid, each with a complaint index of 75 or higher relative to other Yukon years.
- What are the best GMC Yukon years?
- 2012 and 2014 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 15 and 10, the lowest among all 21 model years covered.
- Why is the 2021 GMC Yukon rated Avoid?
- The 2021 Yukon has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, ranks 1st worst overall, and has 13 recall campaigns, more than any other Yukon year, with engine problems making up 64 percent of complaints.
- Does the GMC Yukon have recall issues?
- Across all years covered, NHTSA lists 54 recall campaigns for the Yukon, with 2021 alone accounting for 13 of them.
- What is the most common problem on the GMC Yukon?
- Across all model years, Engine complaints are the largest category at 25 percent of the 3,985 total complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 23 percent.