GMC Yukon 1992–1999 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · GMT400 (GMT410/430)
NHTSA data through 24 September 2026712 complaints, 189 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 1992 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 19
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 1992
- Hydraulic brake circuit10 reports
- Visibility equipment3 reports
- Transmission and driveline2 reports
1 recall campaign names the 1992: Service brakes, hydraulic — pedals and linkages. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 1993 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 17
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 1993
- Hydraulic brake circuit7 reports
- Seat belts3 reports
- Service brakes, air2 reports
The 1994 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 58
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 1994
- Hydraulic brake circuit20 reports
- Visibility equipment19 reports
- Seats8 reports
2 recall campaigns name the 1994: Visibility — windshield wiper/washer. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 1995 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 90
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 1995
- Seats26 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit24 reports
- Visibility equipment11 reports
6 recall campaigns name the 1995: Visibility — windshield wiper/washer; Vehicle speed control; Power train — automatic transmission. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 1996 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 70
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 1996
- Hydraulic brake circuit14 reports
- Visibility equipment13 reports
- Engine and its cooling system9 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 1996: Visibility — windshield wiper/washer; Vehicle speed control. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 1997 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 133
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 1997
- Steering53 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit30 reports
- Transmission and driveline15 reports
The 1998 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 98,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 80
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 1998
- Hydraulic brake circuit19 reports
- Visibility equipment16 reports
- Steering11 reports
2 recall campaigns name the 1998: Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components; Steering — gear box (other than rack and pinion). Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 1999 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 92,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 245
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 1999
- Hydraulic brake circuit116 reports · median 94,000 mi
- Steering23 reports
- Electrical system20 reports
1 recall campaign names the 1999: Seat belts — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 1998 reports latest and the 1999 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 1998 has had 1 more year on the road to accumulate mileage. 6 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 1992–1999 GMC Yukon reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 94,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 161,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 189
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Hydraulic brake circuit33.7% of complaints · median 94,000 mi
- Steering13.1% of complaints · median 86,000 mi
- Visibility equipment11.4% of complaints · median 96,000 mi
Owners filed 712 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992–1999 GMC Yukon; the hydraulic brake circuit leads with 33.7% of them, and half of the 189 that record an odometer reading came by 94,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 70,000 and 128,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 1992–1999 GMC Yukon last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 1992–1999 GMC Yukon, half of the 189 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 94,000 miles and 90% by 161,000 miles.
26 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Yukon reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · GMC Yukon 1992–1999 · 189 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 44 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (2.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 51,000
- 25%
- 70,000
- Median
- 94,000
- 75%
- 128,000
- 90%
- 161,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 5 | 2.6% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 7 | 3.7% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 14 | 7.4% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 40 | 21.2% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 44 | 23.3% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 27 | 14.3% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 14 | 7.4% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 18 | 9.5% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 11 | 5.8% |
| 180,000–200,000 | 4 | 2.1% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 2.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Yukon problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · GMC Yukon 1992–1999
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system40 reports81,00068,000–91,000Engine and its cooling system: 40 reports, median 81,000 miles, middle half 68,000 to 91,000 miles.
- Steering93 reports86,00070,000–102,000Steering: 93 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 102,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit240 reports94,00070,000–118,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 240 reports, median 94,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 118,000 miles.
- Visibility equipment81 reports96,00077,000–128,000Visibility equipment: 81 reports, median 96,000 miles, middle half 77,000 to 128,000 miles.
- Electrical system48 reports96,00063,000–130,000Electrical system: 48 reports, median 96,000 miles, middle half 63,000 to 130,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline57 reports100,00098,000–140,000Transmission and driveline: 57 reports, median 100,000 miles, middle half 98,000 to 140,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 240 | 33.7% | 94,000 | 70,000–118,000 |
| Steering | 93 | 13.1% | 86,000 | 70,000–102,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 81 | 11.4% | 96,000 | 77,000–128,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 57 | 8.0% | 100,000 | 98,000–140,000 |
| Seats | 49 | 6.9% | — | — |
| Electrical system | 48 | 6.7% | 96,000 | 63,000–130,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 40 | 5.6% | 81,000 | 68,000–91,000 |
| Fuel system | 38 | 5.3% | — | — |
| Suspension | 32 | 4.5% | — | — |
| Tyres | 25 | 3.5% | — | — |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 94,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 33.7% of complaints (240 reports, 76 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 94,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 118,000 miles.
A single system taking 33.7% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The steering accounts for 13.1% of complaints (93 reports, 22 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 102,000 miles.
Visibility equipment accounts for 11.4% of complaints (81 reports, 25 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 77,000 and 128,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.0% of complaints (57 reports, 12 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 100,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 98,000 and 140,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.7% of complaints (48 reports, 10 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 63,000 and 130,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 5.6% of complaints (40 reports, 10 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 81,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 68,000 and 91,000 miles.
Known problems with the 1992–1999 Yukon
Fuel System 1996–1999
Central Sequential Fuel Injection (CSFI) 'spider' injector assembly on the Vortec 5.7L: the poppet-valve nozzles and pressure regulator leak internally, causing hard starting, rough idle, misfire and raw fuel odor. GM's later fix was the MFI conversion kit with individual injectors.
Transmission 1992–1999
4L60-E 3-4 clutch pack and sun shell failure producing loss of 3rd/4th or flare shifts, especially in towing use.
Brakes 1992–1999
Kelsey-Hayes EBCM / wheel speed sensor faults causing ABS activation at low speed and extended stopping distance; steel brake line corrosion in road-salt states.
Before you buy a 1992–1999 Yukon: the 3-minute check
Generated from 189 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check fuel system on 1996–1999 (5.7L Vortec) cars. Central Sequential Fuel Injection (CSFI) 'spider' injector assembly on the Vortec 5.7L: the poppet-valve nozzles and pressure regulator leak internally, causing hard starting, rough idle, misfire and raw fuel odor. GM's…
- Check transmission on 1992–1999 cars. 4L60-E 3-4 clutch pack and sun shell failure producing loss of 3rd/4th or flare shifts, especially in towing use.
- Check brakes on 1992–1999 cars. Kelsey-Hayes EBCM / wheel speed sensor faults causing ABS activation at low speed and extended stopping distance; steel brake line corrosion in road-salt states.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 70,000 and 128,000 miles, with a median of 94,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the hydraulic brake circuit and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The steering in particular shows a median failure mileage of 86,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Yukon problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi14% below | At 90k mi43% below | At 120k mi72% below | At 150k mi86% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 70,000–118,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 70,000–102,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 77,000–128,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 98,000–140,000 | later | later | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 63,000–130,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 68,000–91,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · GMC Yukon 1992–1999 · 189 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 14% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 2.6% of reports (5) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
1992–1999 GMC Yukon recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around visibility equipment (2), the seat belts (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Apr 2003 · 1994–1996 · VisibilityIf this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
The defect. On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at…
What can happen. If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
Apr 2000 · 1999 · Seat BeltsIn the event of a vehicle crash, the right front passenger restraint systems may not meet the neck extension…
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection."
What can happen. In the event of a vehicle crash, the right front passenger restraint systems may not meet the neck extension requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.
Jul 1998 · 1994–1996 · VisibilityThis condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
What can happen. This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Feb 1998 · 1998 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt…
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
What can happen. If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Aug 1997 · 1998 · SteeringRelative movement between the chassis and cab can cause the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear.
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty extended-cab pickup trucks and 4-door utility trucks. The lower steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt is "finger loose" or missing allowing the bolt to loosen and fall out. The steering shaft yoke can wear causing an off…
What can happen. Relative movement between the chassis and cab can cause the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear. This condition can result in a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle…
The free fix. Dealers are arranging to have the vehicles involved towed to the dealership and alternate transportation is being arranged for owners. Dealers will then inspect the vehicle for the presence of a…
Apr 1996 · 1995–1996 · Vehicle Speed ControlConsequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle…
The defect. These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "Accelerator control systems."
What can happen. Consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.
Jul 1995 · 1995 · Power TrainThe vehicle can move unintentionally if the driver does not notice that the indicator light is not on and…
The defect. The transmission shift-cable lock clip can back out of its installed position resulting in a loss of cable adjustment. When the shift lever is placed in the "park" position, the "park" indicator light may not illuminate.
What can happen. The vehicle can move unintentionally if the driver does not notice that the indicator light is not on and does not apply the parking brake.
The free fix. Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Jul 1995 · 1995 · Air BagsConsequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning label.
The defect. The vehicles have both the supplemental inflatable restraint (sir) label and an engine start label installed on the same side of the sun visor. This does not comply with fmvss no.208, "Occupant crash protection."
What can happen. Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning label.
The free fix. The engine start label will be removed from the stowed side of the sun visor and a new engine start label will be installed on the headliner in the sun visor depression. Owners will receive the new…
Apr 1995 · 1995 · Seat BeltsConsequence of non-compliance: the occupant of this seat will not be properly restrained in the event of a…
The defect. Vehicles fail to conform to fmvss no. 210, "Seat belt anchorages." The center rear seat lap belt was improperly routed.
What can happen. Consequence of non-compliance: the occupant of this seat will not be properly restrained in the event of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Instructions for rerouting the center rear seat lap belt will be sent to the vehicle owners. If the owner prefers, they can take their vehicle to their dealer and have it rerouted free of charge by…
Apr 1992 · 1992 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the pivot bolt disengages from the nut while thevehicle is in motion, there will be a loss of brake…
The defect. The pivot bolt holding the brake pedal to its support bracket may be improperly tightened and may not have engaged the locking material on the bolt. The bolt can disengage from the nut.
What can happen. If the pivot bolt disengages from the nut while thevehicle is in motion, there will be a loss of brake control and could result ina vehicle accident.
The free fix. Dealers should inspect the hand started brake pedal bolts and torque them to specification.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 712 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 63 (8.8%)
- Fires
- 11
- Injury reports
- 26
- Fatality reports
- 2
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Yukon problems by model year
The 1999 drew the most complaints of this generation, 245, most of them about the hydraulic brake circuit, and the 1994 the fewest among the 6 years with at least 20 complaints, 58. A typical year drew about 85.
That makes the 1999 stand out at roughly 2.9 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 19 | 0 | under 30 reports | Hydraulic brake circuit (10) | 1 |
| 1993 | 17 | 0 | under 30 reports | Hydraulic brake circuit (7) | 0 |
| 1994 | 58 | 10 | under 30 reports | Hydraulic brake circuit (20) | 2 |
| 1995 | 90 | 3 | under 30 reports | Seats (26) | 6 |
| 1996 | 70 | 9 | under 30 reports | Hydraulic brake circuit (14) | 3 |
| 1997 | 133 | 21 | under 30 reports | Steering (53) | 0 |
| 1998 | 80 | 36 | 98,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (19) | 2 |
| 1999 | 245 | 110 | 92,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (116) | 1 |
What Yukon owners reported
I got into a accident. At the intersection of washington st and 2nd st in reno nv. I impacted another car as they went across the intersection. I had the right of way, i impacted the passenger rear end of the other persons vehicle. The main point of impact on my Yukon was the passenger side front corner. The accident…
1998 · 148,000 miles · Airbag system
On my 1997 Yukon the front wiper motor fails intermittently usually while driving in the rain. The failure is caused by a manufacturers defect in the wiper motor circuit board. In 1998 a recall was issued for this problem on a number of gm vehicles, however the recall covered vehicles from 1994 to early 1997. Although…
1997 · 54,000 miles · Visibility/wiper
Vehicle has only 21,650 m on it, used mostly on weekends and in the snow in winter. It was doing fine until 9/18/16 when suddenly i noticed my brake was not responding as usual. I had to push the pedal to the floor repeatedly to stop, barely missed hitting the car in front of me. I was on one of my city streets…
1999 · 22,000 miles · Brakes
The cable release for the rear seats freeze up and the cables break. This could trap someone in the back if riding in rear, or 3rd row seats. If the car catches on fire and a person who can't climb forward over the seats, it would be devastating on what could happen. I feel as this should be a recall on general…
1996 · 240,000 miles · Seats
Built from 189 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Yukon generations
- Yukon 2000–2006 904 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Yukon 2007–2014 1,024 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Yukon 2015–2020 697 reports with mileage, most about the exterior lighting
- Yukon 2021–2025 146 reports with mileage, most about the engine