AI Damage2018 GMC Yukon: common problems
Owners of the 2018 GMC Yukon filed 70 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 698 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 70
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 698
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 39% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 26% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 27 complaints (39% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 68.
- Powertrain: 18 complaints (26% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 100.
- Suspension: 8 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 113.
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 70 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 0 | 68 |
| Powertrain | 18 | 1 | 100 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 20 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 113 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 37 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 37 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 104 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Involved in a front/side passenger side collision with significant damage and speed with no airbag deployment(s).
The air bags never deployed and we discovered that the wheel brook off of the rear axe. No damage to the wheel. Several industry exports stated that this should never happen.
After three months, the vehicle experienced an engine failure, and a worker at a third-party automotive parts distributor and recycling center discovered that the original engine's mileage was 160,000.
I started my vehicle and as I accelerated I started to hear a knocking noise. The vehicle and engine have been inspected by the dealership. The problem has also been confirmed by the dealership.There were no warning lights or messages before the knocking noise started.
The contact was advised by the dealer that it was a common failure for the year and model vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and offered a buyback. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,640.
I signed the papers for the agreement while I was driving the vechicle home I lost power and it wouldn't go forward with gas applied. The check engine light came on, I pulled the suv over and it was towed. The code that popped up 0700 and 02723 both codes having to do with the transmission.
As of [XXX] , I witnessed a squealing sound coming from the rear end of my 2018 Denali Yukon XL truck. And it's affecting my braking. And it jerked when I changed my gears on my truck . And there are lights on in my dashboard on my truck.
The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the contact shifted to a lower gear to drive to the residence safely. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced, and that the engine block was damaged.
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 732 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 35% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Yukon has 130 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 70, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 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.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
NHTSA lists 698 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Yukon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 70. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), engine failure or replacement (10%), A/C or heater (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA lists 698 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 2018 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 2018 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.