GMC Yukon 2000–2006 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation · GMT800 (GMT820/830)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,311 complaints, 904 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2000 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 76,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 166
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2000
- Hydraulic brake circuit39 reports
- Tyres23 reports
- Visibility equipment18 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Structure · Seats — front assembly
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2001 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 76,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 232
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2001
- Hydraulic brake circuit64 reports · median 68,000 mi
- Brakes31 reports · median 144,000 mi
- Tyres20 reports
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Structure
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2002 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 187
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2002
- Brakes45 reports · median 128,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit43 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Airbag system14 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Structure · Seats — front assembly
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2003 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 276
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2003
- Electrical system78 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Brakes50 reports · median 128,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit25 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other · Service brakes, hydraulic · Structure
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 268
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2004
- Electrical system114 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Brakes32 reports
- Engine18 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other · Service brakes, hydraulic
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 134
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2005
- Electrical system47 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline14 reports
- Brakes14 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — rear/other · Service brakes, hydraulic — pedals and linkages · Power train — manual transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 GMC Yukon
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 48
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2006
- Latches and locks7 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise7 reports
- Airbag system6 reports
Recall areas Equipment — other · Steering — hydraulic power assist
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2006; earliest: the 2004, and the 2004 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2000–2006 GMC Yukon reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 77,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 160,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 904
- Recalls
- 16
Most reported
- Electrical system21.7% of complaints · median 69,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit14.6% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
- Brakes14.2% of complaints · median 130,000 mi
Documented problems
- Instrument Cluster2003–2006
- Engine - Intake Manifold2000–2002
- Steering2000–2006
- Transmission2000–2006
Owners filed 1,311 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2006 GMC Yukon; the electrical system leads with 21.7% of them, and half of the 904 that record an odometer reading came by 77,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 45,000 to 120,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2000–2006 GMC Yukon last?
On the 2000–2006 GMC Yukon, half of the 904 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 77,000 miles and 90% by 160,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
116 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 42 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Yukon reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · GMC Yukon 2000–2006 · 904 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 75 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 42 complaints (4.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 19,000
- 25%
- 45,000
- Median
- 77,000
- 75%
- 120,000
- 90%
- 160,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 65 | 7.2% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 29 | 3.2% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 49 | 5.4% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 58 | 6.4% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 49 | 5.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 71 | 7.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 75 | 8.3% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 73 | 8.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 60 | 6.6% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 50 | 5.5% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 47 | 5.2% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 44 | 4.9% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 48 | 5.3% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 39 | 4.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 31 | 3.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 25 | 2.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 18 | 2.0% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 14 | 1.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 9 | 1.0% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 8 | 0.9% |
| 200,000+ | 42 | 4.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Yukon problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · GMC Yukon 2000–2006
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Tyres71 reportsmedian 35,000middle half 24,000–73,000
- Transmission and driveline67 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 19,000–86,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit191 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 39,000–97,000
- Electrical system284 reportsmedian 69,000middle half 48,000–97,000
- Airbag system84 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 36,000–130,000
- Brakes186 reportsmedian 130,000middle half 100,000–156,000
- Engine58 reportsmedian 130,000middle half 104,000–152,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 284 | 21.7% | 69,000 | 48,000–97,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 191 | 14.6% | 65,000 | 39,000–97,000 |
| Brakes | 186 | 14.2% | 130,000 | 100,000–156,000 |
| Airbag system | 84 | 6.4% | 86,000 | 36,000–130,000 |
| Tyres | 71 | 5.4% | 35,000 | 24,000–73,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 67 | 5.1% | 52,000 | 19,000–86,000 |
| Engine | 58 | 4.4% | 130,000 | 104,000–152,000 |
| Steering | 57 | 4.3% | 55,000 | 27,000–96,000 |
| Fuel system | 56 | 4.3% | 67,000 | 30,000–90,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 52 | 4.0% | 66,000 | 50,000–125,000 |
Known problems with the 2000–2006 Yukon
Instrument Cluster 2003–2006
Instrument cluster gauge stepper motor failure: needles read incorrectly, stick, or die entirely — speedometer and fuel gauge most often. GM offered extended coverage on the affected clusters. Earlier 1999-2002 clusters use air-core movements and fail less often than the 2003-2006 stepper-motor units.
Engine - Intake Manifold 2000–2002
Early-production 4.8L/5.3L plastic lower intake manifold and gasket seepage allowing coolant into the oil.
Steering 2000–2006
Intermediate steering shaft wear producing a clunk or knock felt through the wheel on turn-in; addressed by GM bulletins and a redesigned shaft.
Transmission 2000–2006
4L60-E/4L65-E harsh shifting from a cracked 1-2 accumulator piston, and 3-4 clutch wear.
Before you buy a 2000–2006 Yukon: the 3-minute check
Generated from 904 mileage-tagged complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check instrument cluster on 2003–2006 primarily cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine - intake manifold on 2000–2002 cars.
- Check steering on 2000–2006 cars.
- Years differ here: from 48 to 276 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Yukon problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi36% below | At 90k mi59% below | At 120k mi74% below | At 150k mi87% below | At 200k mi95% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 48,000–97,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 39,000–97,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 100,000–156,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Airbag system | 36,000–130,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Tyres | 24,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 19,000–86,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 104,000–152,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
Figure 3 · GMC Yukon 2000–2006 · 904 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 36% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 59% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2000–2006 GMC Yukon recalls (16)
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (4), body structure (3), the seat belts (2) (why one area can repeat).
Nov 2007 · 2001 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start.
The defect. On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1L v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if…
What can happen. If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Dec 2005 · 2006 · EquipmentA misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result…
The defect. Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle…
What can happen. A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact…
Oct 2005 · 2006 · SteeringIf this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required.
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
What can happen. If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC…
Aug 2005 · 2000–2002 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a…
The defect. Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut…
What can happen. This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface…
Apr 2005 · 2003–2005 · Seat BeltsA lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up…
The defect. On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this…
What can happen. A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can…
The free fix. Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21…
Mar 2005 · 2005 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
What can happen. This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners…
Feb 2005 · 2005 · Power TrainThe vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." Under…
What can happen. The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and GMC at…
Feb 2004 · 2003–2004 · Service Brakes, HydraulicConsequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?Passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake…
What can happen. Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase…
The free fix. Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer…
Mar 2003 · 2000–2003 · StructureThis overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
The defect. Certain pickup truck, van, and MINI van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might…
What can happen. This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
Feb 2003 · 2003 · StructureAs a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 214, "Side impact protection." These vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door upper hinge. On some of these vehicles, one or two of the…
What can happen. As a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began february 17, 2003.…
Sep 2002 · 2000–2002 · SeatsIf a person were to insert their finger(s) into the pinch point when the head restraint folds, it could trap…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with rearward folding head restraints on the second row seats, two potential pinch points exist on each of the folding head restraints when the restraints are folded rearward as the seatback is folded down.
What can happen. If a person were to insert their finger(s) into the pinch point when the head restraint folds, it could trap and pinch the finger(s) causing injury.
The free fix. Dealers will install protective covers over the pinch points. Owner notification began november 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
Jul 2002 · 2000 · Air BagsIn a vehicle crash, front seat occupants may receive more severe injuries.
The defect. On certain pickup and utility trucks, some of these vehicles have an air bag sensing diagnostic module (sdm) which contains an anomaly that could result in the driver and passenger's air bag failing to deploy during certain frontal crashes.
What can happen. In a vehicle crash, front seat occupants may receive more severe injuries.
The free fix. Dealers will recalibrate the sdm on the affected vehicles. Owner notification began august 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
May 2001 · 2001 · Seat BeltsIn a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.
The defect. Vehicle description: pickup and utility trucks. Some of these vehicles have an internal component in the outboard seat belt retractors for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could…
What can happen. In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. Gm is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers…
Mar 2001 · 2001 · Electrical SystemOver time this contact could cause a wear-through of the cable assembly convoluted conduit and cable…
The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles were built with a misrouted positive battery cable assembly that could come in contact with the steering shaft universal joint.
What can happen. Over time this contact could cause a wear-through of the cable assembly convoluted conduit and cable insulation exposing the wire core and resulting in intermittent electrical shorting. This could…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the positive battery cable for proper routing and re-route the cable in necessary. The cable will also be inspected for wear of the conduit and cable insulation, and will be…
Oct 2000 · 2000 · Service Brakes, HydraulicDuring braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer.
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of…
What can happen. During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not…
Oct 2000 · 2000–2001 · StructureThese gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause…
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have loose or missing rear wheelhouse plugs. Under certain vehicle operating conditions, exhaust gases can flow forward and accumulate in the rear wheelhouse.
What can happen. These gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause possible illness, unconsciousness, or death.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,311 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 95 (7.2%)
- Fires
- 20
- Injury reports
- 57
- Fatality reports
- 3
Yukon problems by model year
The 2003 drew the most complaints of this generation, 276, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2006 the fewest, 48. A typical year drew about 187.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 166 | 60 | 76,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (39) | 6 |
| 2001 | 232 | 132 | 76,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (64) | 7 |
| 2002 | 187 | 131 | 79,000 | Brakes (45) | 3 |
| 2003 | 276 | 217 | 82,000 | Electrical system (78) | 4 |
| 2004 | 268 | 215 | 74,000 | Electrical system (114) | 2 |
| 2005 | 134 | 111 | 74,000 | Electrical system (47) | 3 |
| 2006 | 48 | 38 | 82,000 | Latches and locks (7) | 2 |
What Yukon owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle in, the dealer discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy, per the Carfax report. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 165,563. The actual mileage could…
2004 · 166,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2004 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The check engine warning light and another unknown warning light were illuminated, and a message was displayed that the gas port was reducing power. On a separate occasion, the vehicle started to lose…
2004 · 123,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the vehicle would stall as the battery warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shake upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The vehicle was taken to the…
2003 · 200,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from a towing company, the vehicle would not start. The battery was instantly replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would wobble and shut off inadvertently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…
2003 · 150,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 904 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Yukon generations
- Yukon 1992–1999 189 reports with mileage, most about the hydraulic brake circuit
- Yukon 2007–2014 1,024 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Yukon 2015–2020 699 reports with mileage, most about the exterior lighting
- Yukon 2021–2025 149 reports with mileage, most about the engine