GMC Yukon Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2015, 2021, 2023, and 2024 GMC Yukon, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (100, 93, 87, and 80) out of all 16 model years. The best years are 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2020, each scoring under 20 with far fewer complaints and recalls.
Avoid 2015Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Best 2012Best 2014Best 2019Best 2020
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,870
- Recall campaigns
- 45
- Crashes reported
- 51
- Fires reported
- 11
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Good | 40 | 158 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 254 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 13 | 91 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 33 | 146 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 7 | 56 | 3 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 100 | 602 | 11 | 4 | 10 | Electrical System | 17.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 285 | 5 | 0 | 5 ! | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 47 | 208 | 10 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 27 | 71 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Best | 20 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 2 ! | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 4 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 93 | 329 | 9 | 0 | 13 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 73 | 179 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 87 | 239 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 80 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 53 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
Yukon years to avoid: what went wrong
2015 GMC Yukon Index 100 · 602 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2015 Yukon is the worst year on record, with 602 complaints and a Complaint Index of 100. Electrical System issues make up 60% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles; owners describe vehicles stalling unexpectedly while reversing or driving. Brakes account for another 16%, median mileage 70,000. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, including electric power steering assist loss and vacuum pump brake issues. Some owners also report front wheel and axle fractures leading to crashes where airbags failed to deploy.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2021 GMC Yukon Index 93 · 329 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2021 Yukon ranks second-worst with 329 complaints and a Complaint Index of 93. Engine problems dominate at 64% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 81,000. Fuel System issues follow at 17% (median 42,214 miles) and Transmission & Powertrain at 16% (median 75,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 13 recall campaigns, the most of any Yukon year, including transmission control module software and daytime running light defects. Owners describe steering wheels moving independently at highway speed and unintended vehicle reversal after startup.
2021 engine problems →2021 fuel system problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →
2023 GMC Yukon Index 87 · 239 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Yukon has a Complaint Index of 87 across 239 complaints. Engine complaints make up 72% of the total with a median failure mileage of just 35,000, and Transmission & Powertrain follows at 18% (median 35,197 miles). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns, including a brake control module software issue and improperly torqued rear suspension control arm bolts. Owners describe engines stalling and losing power at stop lights and forward collision sensors misreading distances.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2024 GMC Yukon Index 80 · 104 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 Yukon carries a Complaint Index of 80 from 104 complaints, with Engine problems making up 80% of the total and a median failure mileage of only 21,116 miles, among the lowest of any avoid year. Electrical System issues follow at 17% (median 27,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 3 recall campaigns, including a fuel tank replacement issue and an engine inspection/repair campaign. Owners describe sudden engine shutdowns at highway speed with no warning lights and vehicles requiring full engine replacement.
Most common GMC Yukon problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine877 (31%)
- Electrical System741 (26%)
- Other516 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain352 (12%)
- Airbags302 (11%)
- Brakes283 (10%)
- Structure & Body207 (7%)
- Fuel System146 (5%)
- Steering100 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires92 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years should I avoid when buying a used GMC Yukon?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2015, 2021, 2023, and 2024 GMC Yukon. These years have the highest Complaint Index scores (100, 93, 87, and 80) among all 16 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the GMC Yukon?
- The 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2020 GMC Yukon rank best, with Complaint Index scores of 13, 7, 20, and 0 respectively, and relatively low complaint counts of 91, 56, 58, and 36.
- Is the 2015 GMC Yukon reliable?
- The 2015 Yukon has the worst Complaint Index (100) of any year, driven mainly by Electrical System complaints (60% of the total) and 10 recall campaigns, making it the year with the most reported problems relative to other Yukon years.
- What is the most common problem area across all GMC Yukon years?
- Across all years, Engine complaints account for 877 of 2,870 total complaints (31%), followed by Electrical System issues at 741 complaints (26%).
- How many recalls does the GMC Yukon have overall?
- NHTSA lists 45 recall campaigns across the 2010-2025 GMC Yukon model years, with 2021 having the most at 13 recalls.