AI Damage2017 GMC Yukon: common problems
Owners of the 2017 GMC Yukon filed 196 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and powertrain. The maker issued 946 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 196
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 946
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 2% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 49 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Powertrain: 48 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 131.
- Service brakes: 44 complaints (22% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Engine: 33 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 88.
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 174.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.3 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 6.2 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 196 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 49 | 1 | 13 |
| Powertrain | 48 | 0 | 131 |
| Service brakes | 44 | 7 | 23 |
| Engine | 33 | 0 | 88 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 1 | 174 |
| Suspension | 10 | 1 | 26 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 44 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 25 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 119 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 42 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
ALSO Now the THE TAIL LIGHT IS OUT AND NO WAY TO REPAIR IT NO ONE HAS THE LIGHT. Also this car is on its third transmission
The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained bruises on the forehead as she hit her head against the steering wheel. The contact also sustained soreness on the neck and shoulder; however, the contact did not seek medical assistance. The contact's daughter did not sustain any injuries.
- Airbags did not deploy during the car accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?
While driving 14 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop and the brake assist and check engine warning indicators illuminated. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries.
My engine starting making a knocking/ticking noise out of no where. I was traveling alone on the highway so I stopped to check it. I got to a gas station and google searched it and it came up that the LS 6.2 engine that is in my vehicle was recalled on other models because of this issue.
I pressed harder, and then it suddenly lurched forward about 30 feet. If there had been a car in front of me, I would have hit them and likely caused injuries. When I took it to the dealership, they said it needed a full transmission replacement, which was not covered. I had to pay out of pocket.
Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited hard shifting, shuddering during acceleration, and hesitation between gear changes — symptoms consistent with the known defect pattern documented across 2015–2019 GM vehicles equipped with this transmission. The failure was confirmed by a service center.
Slipping Gears: Many Yukon Denali owners report experiencing unexpected gear changes or loss of power while driving. Hard Shifting: This problem manifests as harsh or abrupt gear changes, often accompanied by noticeable jolts when shifting from one gear to another.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 332 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Yukon has 130 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 196, above average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights causing IPC warning…
This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights causing IPC warning messages and MIL along with several low speed lan DTCs.
- This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255
Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
- This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip for an issue where the starter stays engaged…
This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip for an issue where the starter stays engaged after the engine starts. Dealers are to suspect/monitor the crankshaft position sensor.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
NHTSA lists 946 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Yukon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 196. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (18%), jerking, harsh shifts (14%), warning lights, check engine (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA lists 946 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 2017 GMC Yukon 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 2017 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 2026-11-04.