YearToAvoid

2018 GMC Yukon Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 31 engine complaints for the 2018 GMC Yukon, 44% of all complaints filed for the model year, with a median failure mileage of 104,000. No engine-related recall is currently tied to this year.

Engine complaints
31
44% of 71
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
104,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report radiator coolant leaks tied to thermostat cycling that creates stress fractures, sometimes appearing by around 37,000 miles.
  • Several owners describe excessive oil consumption, with dipsticks turning up bone dry between oil changes despite no warning light.
  • Owners report stalling or loss of power during stop-and-go driving, with the engine surging, revving high, then catching again.
  • Some complaints describe cam shaft or lifter failure, with reduced power, sputtering, and ticking noises that led to full engine replacement.
  • A few owners report sudden engine failure on the highway, including smoke, rumbling, or clanking that required towing without prior warning.

When 2018 GMC Yukon engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 20, 2018, latest May 13, 2026.

2018 GMC Yukon engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2018Jun 2022Feb 2024Jan 2025May 2025Sep 2025Dec 2025Apr 2026
31 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to May 2026; peak May 2025 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2018 GMC Yukon

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Yukon model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201014 (9%)
  2. 201117 (7%)
  3. 20129 (10%)
  4. 201312 (8%)
  5. 20149 (16%)
  6. 201542 (7%)
  7. 201641 (14%)
  8. 201738 (18%)
  9. 201831 (44%)
  10. 201931 (53%)
  11. 202013 (36%)
  12. 2021211 (64%)
  13. 2022118 (66%)
  14. 2023172 (72%)
  15. 202483 (80%)
  16. 202536 (67%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2018 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA lists 31 engine complaints for the 2018 Yukon, which makes up 44% of the 71 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2018 GMC Yukon?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this model year's engine complaints, though one owner references a later recall, 25V-274, that they believed should apply to their vehicle.
At what mileage do 2018 Yukon engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints is 104,000 miles.
What kind of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners describe coolant leaks from thermostat-related radiator cracks, oil consumption, stalling during acceleration, and cam shaft or lifter failures leading to full engine replacement.
Did any 2018 Yukon engine complaints involve crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires among the complaints logged for this problem area.

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.