2020 GMC Yukon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 GMC Yukon has 36 complaints and 4 recalls, including a Do Not Drive transmission recall, giving it a Caution verdict. Complaint index is 5, but the recall severity caps the rating below what complaints alone would suggest.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Yukon years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 36
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 GMC Yukon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (39%)
- Engine13 (36%)
- Brakes4 (11%)
- Other3 (8%)
- Electrical System2 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (6%)
- Fuel System2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission slips, shudders, or loses power, sometimes with a torque converter failure that damages the transmission.
- 6L80 transmission failure reported while driving, accompanied by shaking and a check engine light.
- 4WD system unexpectedly engages while reversing, tied to a faulty 4WD switch.
- Rear-view camera image becomes obstructed while backing up with no warning light illuminated.
- Front tire blowout occurred while driving at highway speed.
- Seat belt buckle stuck and would not release for a rear-seat passenger.
2020 GMC Yukon recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 GMC Yukon reliable?
- NHTSA lists 36 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2020 Yukon, with a complaint index of 5. It carries a Caution verdict, capped due to a Do Not Drive transmission recall.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2020 GMC Yukon?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 39% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 36%.
- Does the 2020 GMC Yukon have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes, campaign 26V289000 covers a transmission-related issue and instructs owners not to drive the vehicle until repaired.
- How does the 2020 Yukon compare to other model years?
- It ranks 20th out of 21 model years by complaint index, better than years like 2021, 2015, and 2007 which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What mileage do transmission problems typically show up at in the 2020 Yukon?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported issues for the 2020 Yukon is 44,000 miles.