YearToAvoid

2020 GMC Yukon Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#16 most-complained of 16 Yukon years

The 2020 GMC Yukon ranks best (1 of 16 model years) with a complaint index of 0, 36 complaints, and 4 recalls. Transmission & powertrain issues make up 39% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 36%.

Complaints
36
Recalls
4
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17
14.5 city / 22 hwy

Top 2020 GMC Yukon problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain14 (39%)
  2. Engine13 (36%)
  3. Brakes4 (11%)
  4. Other3 (8%)
  5. Electrical System2 (6%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (6%)
  7. Fuel System2 (6%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
  9. Seat Belts1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the transmission slipping, shuddering, or losing power before failing completely, sometimes tied to a bad torque converter.
  • Some describe the 6L80 transmission failing outright while driving, with shaking and a check engine light coming on.
  • A few report the rearview camera image being obstructed during reversing with no warning light illuminated.
  • Owners describe a front tire blowout at highway speed on the factory-fitted Continental tires.
  • Some report losing brake power assist after extended highway driving in hot weather.
  • One owner describes a rear seat belt clasp sticking and tightening instead of releasing.
2020 GMC Yukon complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2020Apr 2021Nov 2023Jan 2025Jun 2025Nov 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Jul 2026 (5).

2020 GMC Yukon recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V289000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain66 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

    Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 21V115000Feb 25, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires33,838 vehicles

    Tires

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

    Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

  3. NHTSA 19V837000Nov 21, 2019Fuel System502 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

    Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.

See all 4 recalls for the 2020 GMC Yukon →

2020 GMC Yukon fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14.5 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,925
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Gasoline or E85
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.

2020 compared with other Yukon years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good2771318
2019Best20582 !17
2020Best0364 !17
2021Avoid933291317
2022Caution73179516.5

All GMC Yukon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 GMC Yukon reliable?
Among 16 Yukon model years tracked, 2020 has the best rank, with a complaint index of 0 and only 36 complaints logged with NHTSA.
What problems does the 2020 GMC Yukon have?
Transmission & powertrain issues account for 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 44,000 miles. Engine issues follow at 36%, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles.
Does the 2020 GMC Yukon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Yukon, covering transmission/powertrain, suspension/wheels/tires, fuel system, and brakes. One of these is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 Yukon compare to other years?
The 2020 model has the lowest complaint index (0) of any Yukon year in the data, compared to years like 2015 (100) and 2021 (93), which are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 GMC Yukon?
EPA rates the 2020 Yukon at 17 mpg combined (14.5 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,925.

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.