2014 GMC Yukon XL: common problems

Owners of the 2014 GMC Yukon XL filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 11
involving a crash: 2

What fails most often

1 Air bags 18% of all complaints
2 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
4 Latches, locks, linkages 9% of all complaints
5 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Air bags: 2 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 2 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (9% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 11 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

airbags did not deploy1 · 9%
brake failure1 · 9%
door locks, latches, handles1 · 9%
engine failure or replacement1 · 9%
fuel system, fuel smell1 · 9%
headlights and tail lights1 · 9%
won't start1 · 9%
unintended acceleration1 · 9%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Air bags	2	1
Service brakes	2	2
Electrical system	1	0
Latches, locks, linkages	1	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0
Other	5	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Was involved in an accident unable to stop in time. Uninow if this is related to the brake potential recall but I have noticed potential stoping distance changes when using the vehicle for long periods I assume it is just from use. Figured this information would be useful with the current investigation
Service brakes · crash · 2018-11-25 · NHTSA complaint #11153615
Brakes failed to provide adequate stopping ability as though they were coated with grease. Despite having well in excess of 100 ft the vehicle would not stop. Rear ended vehicle in front with about 12k in damage to front of the vehicle. Air bags did not deploy.
Air bags · crash · 2015-04-21 · NHTSA complaint #10711913
The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start with the key in the ignition. The failure persisted and a yellow anti-theft warning symbol was displayed on the instrument panel.
Electrical system · 2025-08-04 · NHTSA complaint #11678148
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2014 GMC Yukon XL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.
Air bags · 2023-07-19 · NHTSA complaint #11533199
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 gmc yukon xl. While stationary, the vehicle locked on its own while a child was in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.
Latches, locks, linkages · 2017-01-17 · NHTSA complaint #10945793
Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration and brake system failure. The consumer stated when he exited out of a parking lot, he mae a right turn and when he attempted to accelerate, the vehicle went into low gear and took off down the freeway.
Vehicle speed control · 2016-10-06 · NHTSA complaint #10910380

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20151
20161
20172
20184
20191
20231
20251

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 10,521 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Yukon XL has 85 complaints (29 years in the data). This year has 11, below average.

What to check before buying

Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2014 GMC Yukon XL?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (9%), brake failure (9%), door locks, latches, handles (9%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2014 GMC Yukon XL?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2014 GMC Yukon XL from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2014 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.