YearToAvoid

2018 GMC Yukon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2018 GMC Yukon has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 71 complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 crashes, with the top problem area being the engine at 44% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#16 of 21 Yukon years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
71
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
15.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2018 GMC Yukon problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine31 (44%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain18 (25%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (14%)
  4. Other8 (11%)
  5. Brakes6 (8%)
  6. Airbags4 (6%)
  7. Electrical System4 (6%)
  8. Steering4 (6%)
  9. Fuel System2 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report engine-related concerns making up the largest share of complaints, with issues typically surfacing around a median of 104,000 miles.
  • Some drivers describe rear wheel separation while driving, causing loss of control and collision with barriers.
  • Adaptive cruise control has been reported to brake abruptly and overcompensate when another vehicle merges into the lane.
  • The forward collision avoidance system and lane departure function reportedly became inoperable on multiple occasions for some owners.
  • Tire sidewall failures have been reported, with some owners replacing tires within a short mileage span.
  • Some owners describe the rear window shattering and popping open unexpectedly while the vehicle was parked.
2018 GMC Yukon complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2018Jan 2020Apr 2021Mar 2023Mar 2024Mar 2025Sep 2025Apr 2026
71 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to May 2026; peak Jun 2022 (4).

2018 GMC Yukon recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V603000Oct 1, 2020Brakes14,620 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.

    Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.

  2. NHTSA 19V761000Oct 24, 2019Brakes652,967 vehicles

    Service brakes

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

    Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

  3. NHTSA 19V645000Sep 6, 2019Brakes3,456,719 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

2018 GMC Yukon fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15.5 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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.

2018 compared with other Yukon years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid752855 !18
2017Caution60208318
2018Good2571318
2019Caution20582 !17
2020Caution5364 !17

All GMC Yukon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 GMC Yukon reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Yukon has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th out of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict relative to other Yukon years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA complaints show engine issues account for 44% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 25% and suspension, wheels, and tire issues at 14%.
Does the 2018 GMC Yukon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Yukon, all related to the brakes and the Electronic Brake Control Module, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2018 Yukon compare to other Yukon model years?
The 2018 Yukon's complaint index of 25 is lower than years like 2007, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023, and 2024, which all carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 GMC Yukon?
EPA rates the 2018 Yukon at 18 mpg combined, 15.5 mpg city and 22.5 mpg highway, with an annual fuel cost of $3,600.

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.